The Benefits Of Installing Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Ah how times and technology has changed things, even in our flooring. Did you know luxury vinyl plank flooring is made to look like real planks and is an excellent alternative to hardwood floors? Majority of luxury vinyl planks in the market are waterproof or at least highly water-resistant. They come in different forms or types as well as different grades. The cheaper varieties are usually water resistant as opposed to being waterproof. If you choose to buy your luxury vinyl plank flooring from big box stores you will most likely end up with the cheaper water resistant knock-off so where you choose to make the purchase from is key.

Understanding Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

When they were first introduced into the market, luxury vinyl planks were only offered in glue-down form. This means to install your luxury vinyl plank flooring you had to glue the planks directly onto plywood or a concrete sub-floor. They were also super thin and offered no cushioning so walking or standing on them would make one feel as though they were walking on a concrete floor. Not only that, they tended to not just be hard but cold as well. The thin luxury vinyl planks would also allow for any imperfections existing on the subfloor to be seen through the planks. It was therefore imperative to ensure that the subfloor is smooth and even before installing them. In most cases, homeowners would use up to 3 skim coats when prepping the floor.

Today, we have much better quality luxury vinyl planks in the market. They are popularly referred to as floating luxury vinyl planks. Floating means that these planks do not need to be glued to the floor. The planks are designed to sort of interlock thus making it easier for people who prefer a DIY approach as well as novices to install the floor easily. They are also easy to replace and rip up when replacing or doing a touch-up. The initial floating luxury vinyl planks flooring had a few imperfections. They had a tendency of curling up with time and delaminate especially due to exposure to water during cleaning. If placed on an uneven sub-floor they would not line up properly and over time, the planks would begin separating and become a tripping hazard.

To solve these problems, the engineered luxury vinyl planks were introduce into the market about 2012. These are waterproof, much thicker than the initial ones and they click together making them super strong and more stable when professionally installed. Other than being of much higher quality, they look much better and offer great cushioning and insulation. Walking on them feels like you're walking on an actual hardwood floor. They also don't warp and they stay in place very well.

Benefits Of Installing Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

1. Durability. Luxury vinyl floors can last for 20 years or more in residential areas. Often, they require no refinishing, sanding or replacing during that time.
2. They are super easy to clean and maintain. All you have to do is regularly sweep and mop. You can also use a good number of all-purpose cleaners in the market to get the job done without damaging the flooring.
3. Today luxury vinyl plank flooring comes in a wide variety of designs and patterns. So you can be sure to find something that suits your unique taste.
4. They are easy to repair. If any of the planks get damaged, all you have to is have a pro come out, remove and replace the new plank.

If after years you decide to go for a new look, it is easy to rip the luxury vinyl planks up and install the new ones.

Finding the Right Professional for the Job

While you might choose to install the luxury vinyl plank flooring yourself, working with a professional is always a better option especially if you have no prior experience doing the job. Installing a floor of any kind, be it a laminate flooring or even a new carpet installation, you truly want a professional installation done with a team who has the knowledge and know how to overcome whatever issue may arise. Not to mention most flooring warranties are void if not professionally installed. Check with your flooring contractor to make sure you're covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

At Dallas Floor and Remodel we are the flooring professionals you want to do your job. The flooring manufacturers we partner with like Trinity Hardwood and Shaw, stand behind our work and that is saying a lot in the flooring industry.