Hardwood or stone floors. They come in many styles and colours, and offer a wide range of advantages over traditional laminate and parquet flooring.
In addition to being able to match virtually any style of existing flooring, luxury vinyl tiles are very versatile and can easily be installed in almost every room of your house. You can even use them as a kitchen backsplash!
They’re incredibly easy to maintain and clean, and because they’re made of high quality materials such as polyvinyl chloride, they won’t fade or crack over time. Plus, they’re extremely low maintenance – simply sweep away dirt and spills, and vacuum regularly to keep dust particles out of the air.
Why are LVT tiles so popular?
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) are one of the most common choices for floor coverings in homes across the world. They’re often used in kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, and even outdoors. In fact, some people choose LVT flooring over hardwood because they feel it provides a better aesthetic quality and feel.
The Benefits of an LVT Floor
As we know, vinyl flooring is one of the most popular choices among homeowners looking for hardwood floors. But it doesn’t always offer the best value for money. In fact, there are many disadvantages associated with vinyl, including poor resistance to water, dirt and stains. Vinyl flooring is also prone to warping and shrinking over time. And because it’s usually installed directly on concrete subfloors, it can crack and peel away over time.
In recent years, however, the market has seen the introduction of several innovative products designed specifically for use under wet conditions. These include waterproof vinyl flooring, engineered wood flooring and luxury vinyl tile flooring. Here, we’ll take a look at how each type compares to traditional vinyl flooring, and what you need to consider when choosing the right option for your home.
Waterproof Vinyl Floors
Waterproof vinyl flooring is ideal for homes where moisture is present around the house, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. This type of flooring is typically constructed from multiple layers of material, including an adhesive layer, a substrate layer, a decorative surface layer and a protective coating. When installing waterproof vinyl, make sure the installation instructions specify whether the product needs to be sealed prior to installation. Sealing the floor ensures that the adhesive stays dry during installation, preventing it from becoming soft and sticky.
Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Standard Vinyl Flooring Guide
For years, sheet vinyl floorings were considered the very best option for places where moisture- and stain resistance was an issue, such like bathrooms, laundry rooms, basement, and kitchen floors. However, standard vinyl is made from very thin layers of vinyl printed with a decorative pattern and coated with a protective finish. This makes it vulnerable to scratches and tears, and it feels rather hard under foot because it is usually installed over concrete.
In response to this, manufacturers from the flooring industry developed a new type of vinyl called luxury vinyl flooring, which is sold in rigid plank or tile format and installed using the same click lock system used in laminate flooring products. Luxury vinyl plank flooring offers many benefits over traditional vinyl flooring, including:
- • A softer, more luxurious feel underfoot
- • Better sound absorption properties
- • Less heat transfer
- • Improved durability
- Water resistant
- Lower cost per square foot /meter
- Durable and long lasting
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Good value for money compared to laminate floors
- High Resistant wear layers with cushion layers
- Available in all types of patterns which replicate natural stone, ceramic tiles & natural wood
How to clean Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Particularly for kitchen flooring that are prone to grease spills and splashes, some stains might be challenging to get rid of. To remove stains from LVT flooring, use a moist cloth dampened with hot water and a moderate detergent. Do not saturate the floor.
If a mark is still visible, try gently circling it with a soft-bristled brush. Make sure any chemicals you use are OK for LVT flooring before utilising them.
After the stain has been eliminated, clean the floor by wiping it down with a damp cloth and new, clean water. Make sure there are no water puddles and that the surface has been cleaned so it dries faster.