A practical flooring upgrade should be stylish without sacrificing durability. Hardwood is always a viable option, but the high cost of installation and upkeep, especially in areas with high humidity, can make it a less-than-ideal choice. Homeowners are turning to luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and the residential flooring services that offer it because it can deliver the look and feel of natural materials without the high costs and durability concerns of hardwood and stone.
For full-home renovations, single-room updates, and everything in between, LVP provides a balanced flooring option with high performance, customizable aesthetics, and unbeatable value. This article goes into detail about LVP as a viable and even ideal flooring option for many homeowners and why so many are upgrading to this alternative material over the typical choices.
LVP Looks Like Natural Materials Without Environmental Consumption
Homeowners, especially those with busy homes with a lot of foot traffic, kids, and pets, quickly learn the value of durability in their flooring choices. Though natural hardwood is beautiful and expensive, it can’t always deliver long-lasting appeal. After being scratched, worn, or even warped by high humidity, hardwood can turn a large investment into an eyesore.
Luxury vinyl plank solves many of these issues, but the first problem it addresses is aesthetic. Despite its durability issues, hardwood is still appealing. Synthetic materials cannot usually equal the warmth and familiar texture of a high-quality wood. Yet LVP can mimic the look of real wood, creating a homey, “oak” floor without using real wood, which is significant in an age when many consumers are willing to pay nearly 10% more for sustainable products to protect the environment.
Sustainability Fact: According to PwC, 85% of consumers report feeling disrupted by climate change in their daily lives, indicating that sustainability is becoming a higher priority, even among flooring choices.
Humidity Resistance Makes LVP More Versatile
Hardwood flooring may look stylish in a kitchen or bathroom, but the risk of warping in high-humidity environments makes it a less economical choice. Luxury vinyl plank overcomes this issue with water-resistant material, allowing homeowners to have the warm style of hardwood in places where it would normally not be a smart choice.
LVP’s water resistance applies to humidity as well as standing water, which you might encounter around a tub or sink. Standing water wreaks havoc on wood floors and carpet, but many homeowners don’t realize that this leads to issues under the surface as well. Water can seep into the subfloor through porous materials, leading to mold and mildew growth, which is dangerous and expensive to remove.
With luxury vinyl plank, homeowners have a more user-friendly option for maintaining safe and effective flooring without worrying about underlying issues. Many homeowners are choosing it as a viable flooring alternative, not only for its luxury appearance but also for its ease of use and long-term safety.
High-Traffic Homes Need Scratch and Scuff-Resistant Flooring Alternatives
Luxury vinyl plank offers a durable, long-lasting alternative to other flooring, even in high-traffic homes. Kids and pets can make other flooring types difficult to maintain. Hardwood is susceptible to spills and scratches, while tile is expensive and difficult to repair or replace.
With LVP, spills won’t penetrate the surface of the material, and scratches will rarely be an issue. This is because luxury vinyl plank is made from layers of damage-resistant materials, including foam, PVC, glass fibers, and cork. It absorbs blows, blocks spills, and resists scratches, helping homeowners keep their floors looking newer for longer.
Pro Tip: Even if LVP is damaged, it still provides advantages because its plank-based configuration allows homeowners to replace the damaged section without removing the entire floor.
“Luxury” Vinyl Plank is an Affordable Alternative
Despite being a high-end flooring option, luxury vinyl plank is affordable, easy to polish and repair, and easy to clean with just a broom and a mop. This saves on installation, repairs, maintenance, and cleaning compared to other flooring options, making it an ideal alternative to more expensive materials.
The potential downside of LVP is that many providers use cheaply-made LVP that can peel or wear out. Homeowners planning to use LVP in their remodels need guidance from experienced local flooring professionals who know the local climate and bring decades of experience to their flooring remodels, including relationships with high-quality material suppliers.
Professional Flooring Installers Help Homeowners Invest in Their Remodels With High-Quality Floors
At Yates Flooring, our residential flooring services help homeowners choose the flooring option that makes the most sense for their situation. We match homeowners with flooring options that balance beauty and value, delivering the look and feel of real wood without the hassle and expense.
Contact us today to learn how luxury vinyl plank can be a smart investment for your remodel, no matter how hectic your home is or how durable your flooring needs to be.
