WHY LUXURY VINYL PLANK FLOORING IS A SOLID OPTION FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl floor (LVF) is vinyl flooring that is packaged in long, narrow strips rather than traditional square tile shapes or long rolls of vinyl. Vinyl flooring planks are typically 48 or 36 inches long and 6 or 7 inches wide; however, some brands extend up to 9 inches wide. LVP is a multi-ply product that features four layers:

  • Top layer of aluminum oxide which is designed to prevent light scratching and scuffs

  • Clear film layer to protect against more severe ripping and tearing

  • Design layer to resemble wood or stone

  • Bottom layer made of rigid vinyl; this layer comprises 90 percent of LVP’s thickness

How LVP Works

LVP is semi-rigid; the planks snap together with a click-lock system. LVP is referred to as a "floating floor" because it simply rests on the underlayment with no glue necessary. In addition, LVP is constructed from waterproof materials, making it a great flooring choice for damp areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, mudroom, or laundry room.

Luxury vinyl plank manufacturers offer a wide range of colors and styles with some matching the appearance of specific wood species — right down to textured surfaces that mimic a real wood grain. LVP has deeper embossing and better graphics than sheet vinyl or laminate flooring, offering a more accurate representation of wood or stone.

Maintenance and Repair

LVP is one of the easiest floor types to maintain and repair. Most manufactures recommend sweeping daily, and a weekly damp mopping with a mild detergent or with a Swiffer®-style wet cleaning pad. LVP floors should never be steam-cleaned. While the flooring itself is resistant to moisture, the steam cleaner can potentially drive moisture down through the seams to the wooden subfloor. Repairs to burns, holes, rips, and gouges in LVP can be a little challenging. Repairs to small areas of damage can be done using a vinyl repair kit that includes colors matching the flooring. In general, the patched area will usually not be a perfect match to the original floor. Replacing entire planks involves disassembling the floor (starting at the wall), removing the planks closest to the problem plank, installing a replacement plank, then reassembling the floor back to the wall.

Langbeen Builders LVP Flooring Options

Langbeen Builders offers its clients InGrained waterproof vinyl by Bella Citta®. Clients can choose from either the Scapes or Vistas collection. Both LVP lines offer 7 inch and 9 inch planks with colors that range from light oaks and grays to warm tones and dark shades; however, there are some subtle differences between the collections. The chart below is a side-by-side comparison of Scapes vs Vistas product lines.

No matter which LVP product line you choose for your new home, rest assured that it will perform year after year. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is extremely durable; it does not scratch as easily as hardwood floors making ideal for homes with pets and children.

Your new home awaits.