Choosing new flooring services has huge implications for the design of the rest of the home, including not only its visual impact but also its usability. The wrong flooring material in the wrong room can lead to costly repairs or remodels. LVP is an option that used to be less well-known but has gradually become a top choice for homeowners looking for a balance of visual gracefulness, durable material, and affordability.
LVP itself has also evolved in recent years to include more options, more protection, and less of a financial investment. For modern households looking for flooring in Chesapeake, VA, especially those with kids or pets, luxury vinyl plank is an option for designers that delivers premium style without premium prices. Even homeowners of luxury properties should consider the options that LVP affords.
What is LVP?
Luxury vinyl plank is similar in material to conventional vinyl flooring, but it comes in strips to mimic the look and pattern of hardwood floors. It tends to be less flexible than sheet vinyl, and it is layered with a clear film that shows the photo-realistic wood or stone texture over a backing layer made of rigid vinyl. Luxury vinyl is much thicker than sheet vinyl to give it a sturdier feel and better visual embossing.
The goal with LVP is to simulate the appearance of natural wood or stone without the drawbacks of those materials, including the cost. It also avoids the extra costs associated with natural materials, including labor, supplemental materials, and tools.
What Are The Advantages of LVP?
For both DIY home remodelers and homeowners who hire professional flooring services, LVP offers several advantages in addition to cost savings, including:
1. Lower Maintenance
LVP is far easier to maintain than natural hardwood, tile, or stone. Sweeping and occasional mopping are all that’s required to keep LVP in optimum shape. If a piece of vinyl is damaged, extra flooring services may be needed to disassemble and replace the damaged plank. However, its durability helps homeowners avoid this problem.
2. Resilience to Damage
While conventional hardwood can be scratched, especially in homes with pets, LVP is designed to withstand rigorous activity, including heavy foot traffic, dropped toys and objects, and energetic pets. High-traffic homes can use this durability to their advantage, allowing kids, pets, and guests to use the floors without worrying. LVP is also designed for easy replacement should a plank ever be damaged.
3. Waterproof Wood
One of the major disadvantages of conventional hardwood floors is their lack of resistance to moisture. This means that in humid rooms or those with a high potential for spills, such as the bathroom, mudroom, kitchen, or basement, hardwood floors can be a gamble.
LVP eliminates the risk by resisting spills and moisture with its layered coating. Even in bathrooms and basements, homeowners can install LVP without worrying about warping, swelling, or damage due to water exposure.
4. More Style Options
While natural stone and hardwood floors can be limited in style options depending on the homeowner’s budget, LVP is not as visually restrictive. Since the look of luxury vinyl planks comes from a high-quality graphic rather than the material, its appearance isn’t limited by material cost or availability. Design versatility is a primary reason why so many homeowners are personalizing their spaces with this flexible material.
5. Faster Installation
Aesthetics is not the only area where LVP is more flexible. LVP can be installed more easily than conventional materials since it can be tacked or glued-down securely without removing the previous flooring solution. In many cases, flooring services that include LVP take less than half the time of other materials, without requiring resealing or refinishing later.
6. Better Acoustics
An underrated benefit of opting for LVP is the improved acoustics. Stone tile floors can be loud and may even cause unwanted echoes. LVP absorbs sound to improve the overall aesthetic experience of the room, especially in crowded spaces, without sacrificing the look of the more premium yet less convenient materials.
As with most home projects, relying on professionals can make the project more successful and less stressful.
Partner with Flooring Specialists to Choose the Best Material for Your Home in Chesapeake, VA
At Yates Flooring, our specialists help homeowners choose the best materials for their flooring. LVP provides an affordable option that can mimic the style of traditional luxury materials like hardwood, marble, and other stone floors without the disadvantages of those materials.
LVP also resists moisture damage, scratches, and more, making it potentially ideal for high-traffic homes and rooms that are prone to water damage.
Contact our team of flooring experts today to learn how LVP can increase durability and lower remodeling costs without sacrificing the beautiful natural look you envision for your spaces.
