When most people hear the term "luxury vinyl tile," what usually comes to mind is the old school linoleum flooring from the back in the day homes. But, luxury vinyl tile is a different flooring. And here's why you should take a look at it and consider it for your home.
What is Luxury Vinyl Tile?
One of the most common questions asked is what exactly is luxury vinyl tile? It's a durable, easy to maintain, waterproof flooring that has the look of hardwood or stone, but at a fraction of the price. Luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT, is constructed of multiple layers that add to its design, durability and ease of maintenance:
- The polyurethane coating
- The protective clear layer known as the "wear layer"
- The print film layer
- The vinyl core
- And the tile backing
There will always be both pros and cons to any type of flooring based on your lifestyle and family needs, but luxury vinyl tile flooring is a great option for all types of families and lifestyles.
Let's start with the pros!
Pros
Durable
As mentioned above, luxury vinyl tile is comprised of multiple layers in which there's a clear top layer over the design that protects the floor from scratches, stains and fading. So, it's safe to say that luxury vinyl tile is built to endure that busiest homes.
Design Options
With today's innovative manufacturing technology, luxury vinyl tile is available in a wide variety of colors and can mimic the look of natural materials like stone and wood. And by embossing the grain pattern into the tile, it can really have a realistic look and feel.
Affordable
Luxury vinyl tiles are a good value because they're not only long-lasting, but they're less expensive than ceramic tile or hardwood flooring, even though they can create a very similar look. So, for those on a budget, luxury vinyl tiles are a smart choice.
Easy to DIY Install
Whether you choose to glue it down or float it, installation for luxury vinyl tile takes half the time than a standard ceramic tile installation. It's also easy to install yourself if you're looking to make it a DIY renovation project.
Easy to Maintain
The natural materials that luxury vinyl tile can be designed to look like, like hardwood and stone, are known to have more than enough maintenance requirements to help prevent them from getting and looking damaged. Fortunately, with luxury vinyl tile, clean up and maintenance are easy! All you need to do is regularly vacuum and use a damp towel (either cloth or paper) to wipe away scuff marks and spills.
Cons
Non-Biodegradable
Unfortunately, luxury vinyl tile is not biodegradable. When disposed of, they stay in garbage dumps and can't be recycled. So, if environmental care is a critical factor in your decision-making process, this is a disadvantage to consider.
Damage from the Subfloor
Successful installation of vinyl tile requires proper subfloor preparation because it will adapt to the surface it's applied to. So, if there are any irregularities on the subfloor, they will definitely show through the vinyl tile and will show an uneven appearance and possibly cause gaps.
Slippery Surface
Accidental water spills are very likely to happen on luxury vinyl tile flooring. This may cause slips and falls when someone steps on the wet floor.
Now that we've covered all the important details and pros and cons of luxury vinyl tile, it's safe to say that the next step is deciding if it's right for you. To make it an even better decision-making process, stop by one of our locations to see the collections we carry in person!
At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!
Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.
If you have any questions, please email us.
