Luxury vinyl tile and planks (LVT/LVP) have become the preferred flooring choice for homeowners seeking a perfect blend of beauty, durability, ease of maintenance, affordability, and versatility. However, deciding on the best design and pattern for your needs requires a lot of thought. It’s also important to consider the size of your space and what style will work best with existing furniture. In many cases, a well-thought-out flooring upgrade can dramatically improve your home’s overall look and feel.
LVT/LVT are available in a wide range of designs and textures that mimic natural materials like wood and stone, and you can even find options that replicate more abstract shapes and patterns. These design choices make this material a popular choice for homes of all styles and tastes. You can choose from a variety of colors, too, and mix-and-match different patterns to create a unique look that fits your taste.
Another benefit of LVP/LVT is that it can withstand moisture, making it an ideal flooring option for areas prone to spills and splashes, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and other rooms. It is an excellent alternative to hardwood floors in these spaces, as it can stand up to wet mopping with little to no refinishing needed.
When choosing the thickness of your vinyl planks or tiles, keep in mind that thicker options are usually more durable and comfortable to walk on. But you may want to balance this need with your budget, as thicker options tend to be more expensive than thinner options.
Depending on the type of vinyl you choose, it can be either click-together or glue-down. If you choose a click-together option, the vinyl tiles and planks snap together without the need for adhesive. This system makes installation fast and simple. For a glue-down vinyl, you’ll need to purchase a low-odor adhesive sized to cover the floor and spread it evenly across the surface with a trowel.
LVP/LVT are typically installed over your current floor and come in three easy-to-install forms – click-lock, peel-and-stick, and traditional glue-down. Click-lock vinyl is the easiest to install and consists of plastic planks that line up with grooves in one another (similar to a jigsaw puzzle). No glue is required, so this option is ideal for DIYers.
A peel-and-stick option is also relatively easy to install, but it involves removing the backing paper and pressing the vinyl planks or tiles onto your existing floor. With both systems, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the adhesive used and the subfloor you’re installing over. A poor-quality adhesive can cause the planks and tiles to lift and become loose over time. With proper installation and care, your new luxury vinyl can last for decades.
It’s not worth the risk to save a few dollars on luxury vinyl flooring installation and end up with a floor that buckles, cracks or peels. Investing in a skilled installer will help you achieve the dramatic transformation you’ve been dreaming of while saving money on future floor repair or replacement costs. To learn more about how the pros at Tampa Flooring Solutions can help you select and install the perfect luxury vinyl flooring in Tampa for your home, contact us today.