Flooring decisions carry weight far beyond aesthetics. They affect your budget, your home’s resale value, your day to day comfort, and the amount of cleaning and maintenance required from you for the next several years. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are as popular as ever. They’re marketed as the perfect middle ground between hardwood’s beauty and tile’s durability, and that claim has some truth to it. But do they deserve this reputation? We’re not pulling any punches on this one. Keep reading. This guide breaks down exactly when LVP/LVT makes sense for a homeowner, and when it doesn’t.
What Are LVP and LVT, Exactly?
Luxury Vinyl Plank and Luxury Vinyl Tile are multi layer synthetic flooring products made primarily from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) vinyl. The only differences between the two are shape, and the types of flooring that they mimic:
- LVP is manufactured in long, narrow planks like hardwood
- LVT is typically manufactured in squares or rectangles, but designed to mimic ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone tiles
Both share the same general construction: a backing layer, a rigid or flexible core, and a printed design layer. This layer image is often a high resolution photograph of real wood or stone. Lastly, there is a protective wear layer at the top that keeps the LVT and LVP looking good for as long as possible. The quality and thickness of these layers is what separates budget products from premium ones, and the wear layer is also what will tell you whether you should or shouldn’t choose LVP or LVT.
The Case For Choosing LVP/LVT
1. Exceptional Water Resistance
Unlike hardwood or laminate, most LVP/LVT products are 100% waterproof. However, seams and edges can still allow moisture intrusion if not installed correctly, this is why it is important to hire a reputable installer. This makes vinyl planks or tiles a strong choice for:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Laundry rooms
- Basements
- Mudrooms and entryways
If you’ve ever dealt with warped hardwood or swollen laminate from a leaking dishwasher or other moisture problems, the water resistance of vinyl may be the sole reason why you choose it.
2. Durability for High Traffic
The wear layer is measured in mils, which is one thousandth of an inch. The thickness of the wear layer determines resistance to scratches, dents, and scuffs. A wear layer of 12 to 20 mils is generally considered suitable for busy households with kids, pets, and heavy foot traffic. This makes LVP/LVT a practical option for:
- Homes with large dogs or multiple pets
- Rental properties that need to withstand tenant turnover
- Households with young children
3. Comfortable Underfoot
Compared to tile or hardwood over concrete, vinyl has a slight give to it, especially with a quality cork or foam underlayment. It’s noticeably warmer than tile, and softer to stand on for long periods, a meaningful consideration if you are always on your feet.
4. Affordable But Looks Great
LVP/LVT looks like hardwood or natural stone at a fraction of the cost. Vinyl flooring costs less than wood or stone, and takes less time to install. The cost of LVP/LVT varies on the quality chosen, but will always cost significantly less than natural materials.
5. Easier, Faster Installation
Many LVP/LVT products use click lock floating floor systems that don’t require nails, staples, mortar, grout, or adhesive. This translates to:
- Shorter installation time
- Lower labor costs
- A feasible DIY project for handy homeowners
- The ability to install directly over many existing subfloors (but we do not recommend this practice)
6. Low Maintenance
A quick sweep or vacuum and an occasional damp mop with a manufacturer approved cleaner and that’s it. There’s no refinishing, no sealing, no waxing, no scrubbing grout, no other maintenance required. This is a massive advantage over hardwood and tile.
The tradeoff for easy maintenance is durability. Homeowners will have to replace vinyl faster than wood or tile.
7. Consistent Appearance
Because the design layer is printed, you get uniform color and pattern across every single Luxury Vinyl Plank. There are no natural variations like knots, burls, grain irregularities, or tile shade variation. However, there are vinyl products that are designed to mimic these irregularities if that is what you prefer.
The Case Against LVP/LVT
1. It’s Still Not Real or Natural
No matter how advanced the printing technology, Vinyl planks and tiles are a synthetic product that replicate the look of the real McCoy. Close inspection reveals it’s not authentic wood or stone. Homeowners who prioritize authenticity, or are trying to maximize the resale value of their home, LVP doesn’t meet their needs.
2. Resale Value Considerations
In many real estate markets, solid hardwood flooring still commands a premium and is a long term investment for homeowners. Vinyl is viewed favorably by potential homebuyers for its practicality, but it doesn’t add the same appraised and perceived value that genuine hardwood does.
3. Not Durable
Hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times and last several decades. Ceramic tile lasts decades with periodic resealing. But when the wear layer on LVP or LVT is scratched, gouged, or damaged, that tile or plank must be replaced. Replacing single pieces is only possible if you kept extras during installation. Once your vinyl flooring is worn through the wear layer, and into the printed image, it must be replaced entirely
4. Susceptible to Heat and Sun
Vinyl flooring may discolor, warp, shrink, or expand with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high heat. Radiant floor heating systems must be vinyl compatible, and have strict temperature limits to prevent damage. Homes with large south facing windows or sunrooms must plan for the sun’s direct exposure to the flooring. UV blocking window treatments protect vinyl floors from fading and other damage. Unprotected LVP or LVT will fade and need to be replaced faster.
5. Dents From Furniture
Luxury vinyl is resistant to scratches, but can dent under heavy items with small points of contact such as piano legs or heavy furniture without floor protectors.
- Environmental Concerns
LVT and LVP are made from PVC. Some homeowners have concerns about:
- Off gassing and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- End of life disposal, since most vinyl flooring is not biodegradable or recyclable
- PVC is petroleum based
- More frequent replacement
7. The Subfloor Still Matters
Easy installation doesn’t mean “Throw it on top of the old floor right now”. Uneven, or damp subfloors cause imperfections in the finished vinyl planks or tiles. Failure to remove old flooring and level the subfloor creates problems such as click lock seam failures, and premature wear. Skipping proper subfloor leveling and moisture testing are the most common reasons that LVP and LVT installations go sideways.
8. Huge Range in Quality
LVT and LVP span a huge price and quality range. There are low cost, thin big box store budget products. There are also premium, rigid core planks and tiles with thick, commercial grade wear layers. Trying to save with low cost vinyl might result in a floor that looks and feels cheap, dents easily, and needs replacement much sooner than you’d like.
Quick Decision Framework
Choose Luxury Vinyl Tile or Luxury Vinyl Plank if you:
- Need waterproof flooring for a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
- Have pets, kids, or heavy foot traffic
- Have a moderate budget but want a high end look
- Prioritize low maintenance over durability and ROI
Consider alternatives if you:
- Are maximizing resale value in your home
- Are replacing flooring in a room with heavy sun exposure, and without adequate UV protection
- Prioritize a durable floor that lasts for decades
- Have environmental concerns
- Plan to place very heavy and stationary furniture or furnishings in the room
The Takeaway
LVP and LVT are great for some, but not for others. As with anything, vinyl isn’t all bad or all good, it depends on the details of a homeowner’s priorities. Vinyl excels in moisture prone rooms, busy households, and budget conscious renovations where a wood or stone look is desired without the wood or stone price tag and maintenance. But vinyl falls short in durability, authenticity, and ROI.
Call FM Pro Remodeling at (812) 944-6383 today with any questions about vinyl, for a free consultation, or to schedule a free estimate.
