While hardwood planks have been the go-to flooring for many years, vinyl floors offer better options at a lower cost. The best luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring types are durable, simple to install on new or existing surfaces, and have unmatched beauty.
At Smart Floors in Florida, we offer a variety of luxury vinyl floors suitable for both commercial and residential properties in Florida. Our floors have similarities and differences that make them ideal for specific areas. This post examines the different vinyl flooring options to guide you toward the best pick.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring
Visual appeal is what most homeowners in Florida look for in vinyl plank flooring. However, beneath the beauty, many features require attention to detail. Some of these technical differences include:
Layer Composition
All vinyl plank floors have wear and pattern layers, regardless of their format. The rigid core vinyl plank flooring gets its name from its rigid core, often made of stone composite or wood to provide rigidity and texture. However, LVP doesn't have a core layer. Instead, it has vinyl and fillers for backing. All the best luxury vinyl plank floors boast an additional foam layer attached to the bottom for extra cushion.
Length, Width, and Color
Although home decor varies depending on taste and preference, there's almost certainly a grain pattern and color plank for any home. Planks generally measure between 48 and 84 inches in length and 7 to 10 inches in width.
High Traffic Areas
High-traffic areas at home or in the office require thin vinyl planks, while low-traffic areas can do well with thicker planks for comfort. However, knowing that all can show wear, regardless of location, is essential.
Types of Vinyl Plank Flooring
At Smart Floors, we have various luxury vinyl plank flooring options containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and several other features for performance and comfort. They range from 5mm to 10mm thick for durability and soundproofing. These include:
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
LVP floors are the most popular type of vinyl flooring in Florida. Each plank comes from layers of melted PVC and stabilizers – an outerwear layer and a wood grain surface. This plank type is considered one of the best LVP floorings for being water-resistant while giving that hardwood feel.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Unlike LVP, which are planks, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are shaped like squares and rectangles. They resemble marble, slate, travertine, sandstone, quartz, cement, and limestone. Some LVT types can be grouted to look like natural tiles.
Wood Vinyl Plank
These types of vinyl plank flooring comprise wood-plastic composite (WPC) and stone polymer core (SPC). Both are constructed in layers, but the WPC is thicker and more comfortable on the feet, while SPC is slimmer and more dent-resistant
Benefits of Vinyl Plank Flooring
There are many reasons to choose vinyl plank flooring. Some of the advantages of the best luxury vinyl plank flooring types include:
- Inexpensive
- Waterproof/Pet Proof/Kid-Proof
- Easy installation
- Insulated for sound
- Easy underfoot
Next Step: Choose a Professional Installation
Vinyl floors are among the most simple flooring types to install. The professionally recommended ways to install luxury vinyl floors include:
- Glue-down floors: Planks are attached to the subfloor using industrial adhesive glue.
- Floating vinyl floors: Planks locked together like a jigsaw puzzle. The tight-fit connection of planks holds the surfaces together.
- Loose-lay floors: Heavier vinyl surfaces can be placed on the subfloor without adhesive forces. They rely on friction and weight to stay in place.
At Smart Floors, we offer professional luxury vinyl installation to all our Florida customers. The installation method we apply depends on the type of vinyl surface.
From Choosing Plank Flooring to Installation and Care Tips - Choose Smart Floors Today.
There are numerous vinyl flooring options to choose from. The best luxury vinyl plank for you depends on your residence, commercial or private, needs, and personal tastes. At Smart Floors, we can help you find the best LVP flooring for your particular inclinations. Our inventory includes some of the most versatile and beautiful flooring in Florida. Shop our online showroom to check out some of our vinyl flooring options. Also, contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Image Source; Dagmar Breu / Shutterstock
