Understanding LVT Flooring
Choosing the perfect flooring for your home or business is essential. Your flooring needs to look attractive and be practical enough to withstand wear and tear. One increasingly popular floor covering that meets these requirements is LVT flooring.
This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide to LVT flooring. We’ll explore its advantages, the installation process, LVT flooring applications, and how to care for and maintain it.
What is LVT Flooring?
Luxury vinyl tile flooring is better known as LVT flooring. LVT flooring is constructed to look just like natural stone, wood, or tiled flooring. This functional flooring solution is designed to offer an array of both practical and aesthetic benefits. It is constructed in several layers to achieve its unique finish and exceptional durability.
Key Features and Benefits
- Highly durable against damage.
- Easy to clean.
- Low maintenance.
- Budget-friendly.
- Wide choice of finishes.
- Long-lasting.
Different Types of LVT Flooring
When you choose LVT flooring for your home or business, you can select from a choice of different finishes, and different installation types to match your needs. These include:
- LVT click flooring
- Self-adhesive luxury vinyl flooring
- Glue-down luxury vinyl floor tiles
Advantages of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Here are some of the reasons LVT flooring is the number-one flooring choice for so many homeowners and businesses:
Durability and Longevity
- The unique layered construction of luxury vinyl floor tiles offers increased durability and longevity.
- The use of multiple layers to create a strong core means LVT tiles are resistant to damage.
- A wear layer on top of each LVT tile provides extra protection and extends its lifespan.
Aesthetic Versatility
- The wide variety of LVT flooring finishes, such as stone and wood finishes, means it can match every aesthetic from luxury to industrial.
- Replicating the attractive look of tiles in your kitchen or bathroom is possible with LVT click bathroom flooring. Or, a wood effect floor can easily be created using upscale vinyl flooring in your home or business.
Ease of Maintenance
- The wear layer protects the surface of the tile. So, unlike wooden floors or regular tiles, repairs, re-grouting, and waxing aren’t needed.
- The wipable surface of LVT tiles means they are also easy to keep clean.
Installation Process of LVT Flooring
Another huge advantage of LVT flooring is that it can be installed quickly. Here’s how luxury vinyl flooring is installed:
Prepare the Subfloor
To prepare the subfloor ready for LVT installation, you will need to:
- Check it is even using a spirit level throughout the room.
- Repair any cracks.
- Sand any lumps in the subfloor.
- Remove nails or screws that may be stuck in the subfloor.
- Check your subfloor is free from debris and dry before starting the installation.
Step-By-Step Installation Guide
- After preparing your subfloor, you need to let your LVT flooring acclimatise in the room to stop it bowing when installed.
- Next, measure and then cut your underlay to the correct size and lay it on the subfloor.
- Start to lay your LVT tiles from a wall. Use a spacer (7-10mm) to maintain a gap between the LVT and the wall.
- LVT click flooring should be laid at 90-degrees to the angle you used to roll the underlay.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for connecting the click flooring. Normally, you will just need to push down until the tile clicks into place.
- To install your final tile, you may need to trim it using your Stanley knife to ensure a proper fit.
Top Tip: Change the direction of the LVT after seven metres to retain the strength of the installation.
Tools and Materials Needed
- Spirit level.
- Sander/sandpaper.
- LVT underlay.
- Tape measure.
- Pencil.
- Stanley knife.
- Spacers.
Applications of LVT Flooring
Residential Uses
LVT can be used throughout the home but is especially suited to those difficult-to-clean areas, and rooms prone to moisture, such as:
- Bathrooms.
- Cloakrooms.
- Bootrooms.
- Hallways.
- Porches.
- Kitchens.
- Dining rooms.
- Playrooms.
- Utility rooms.
Commercial Applications
LVT flooring is ideal for commercial spaces that are subject to heavy foot traffic and wear and tear, such as:
- Office buildings.
- Retail spaces.
- Restaurants and cafés.
- Fast food stores.
- Lobbies.
- Hotels.
Image Pexels CC0 License
Comparing LVT with Other Flooring Options
We’ve established that LVT flooring is both attractive and practical, but how does it weigh up against other flooring options?
LVT vs. Laminate Flooring
- LVT is water-resistant, while laminate can warp when exposed to moisture.
- LVT feels softer underfoot than laminate.
- LVT offers better sound insulation than laminate.
LVT vs. Hardwood Flooring
- Unlike hardwood, LVT is scratch-resistant.
- LVT feels softer than hardwood.
- Walking on LVT is quieter than hardwood flooring.
- LVT doesn’t need to be polished, treated, or re-varnished.
LVT vs. Tile Flooring
- LVT provides better heat insulation than tiles.
- LVT can replicate the look of stone tiles while feeling softer to walk on.
- LVT offers better noise insulation.
- LVT does not need to be re-grouted periodically.
Maintenance and Care Tips for LVT Flooring
Maintaining LVT flooring couldn’t be easier, here’s how to look after it:
Daily Cleaning Routine
Keeping on top of daily cleaning of your LVT flooring will keep it looking at its best. Take care to sweep or vacuum up dust and debris regularly to avoid marking the floor.
Handling Spills and Stains
Wipe up any spills as soon as they happen using either a damp cloth or mop. Take care to dab at the stain rather than scrub it.
Don’t use stain removers on your LVT flooring, unless they specify that they are suitable.
Long-Term Maintenance
To extend the longevity and appearance of your LVT flooring, it’s best to keep up with regular cleaning of your floors by vacuuming and gently sweeping regularly.
To avoid damaging your floor, try to avoid walking on it in high-heeled shoes and using abrasive cleaning materials on the surface. To take extra care of your floor, you may also want to place soft pads under furniture legs to avoid denting and scratching the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions About LVT
Is LVT Waterproof?
Luxury vinyl flooring is typically waterproof or water-resistant, so it’s suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Can LVT be Installed Over Existing Floors?
LVT can often be installed over most existing floors, provided they are dry and even.
What are the Costs Associated With LVT Flooring?
Costs associated with LVT flooring are low. Luxury vinyl click flooring can be installed without adhesive, meaning very few materials are needed.
Conclusion and Next Steps
LVT flooring is an ideal addition to any home or business. LVT flooring offers all the practical advantages of tiled and laminate flooring with the aesthetic appeal of wood and tiled floors. However, it’s essential that you choose the right LVT flooring for your space.
Evaluating Your Flooring Needs
Before purchasing LVT it’s advisable to evaluate your flooring needs:
- Start by measuring your space carefully, and consider the quantities that you need.
- It’s also advisable to check the condition of the subfloor to decide whether you need LVT underlay.
- Consider what you want to achieve from your new flooring, e.g. easy to clean, stylish, and cost-effective.
Choosing the Right LVT for Your Space
Check that the LVT is right for your space, by considering the following:
- What is the aesthetic of the space? Do you want the room to look cosy? Luxurious?
- Is the LVT for a high foot traffic area, such as a shop or office?
- Will the LVT be installed in a kitchen or bathroom? Does it need to be waterproof or water-resistant?
Contacting Professional Installers
At L & R Carpets & Flooring, we take pride in helping customers across Oxfordshire and The Cotswolds choose the perfect flooring and install it to the highest standards. We will be happy to visit you for a free site survey to help you choose the best LVT flooring for your needs and assess your space.