Luxury vinyl plank flooring is considered by many to be the perfect combination of style and functionality. Today’s styles from top manufacturers have never looked better and more realistic. Luxury vinyl planks also offer, in many cases, a more durable and stronger floor than other options, such as hardwood and laminate, especially when it comes to water and scratch issues. If you are one of the many consumers considering luxury wood-look vinyl planks, there are several things to know when choosing your flooring.
Not all luxury vinyl floor planks are the same. There are quite a few differences between the build styles between the major manufacturers. Backup systems can vary between brands. Some luxury wood vinyl plank flooring has residential warranties and others have a commercial warranty as well. Other differences include: is the vinyl sheet waterproof or waterproof? Is the iron UV stabilized to prevent fading? Does the deluxe wood vinyl plank you’re looking at have a built-in mold inhibitor? Plus, some of the major manufacturers even certify that their luxury vinyls are hypoallergenic. You can also compare thickness as a relative concept of durability. Entry-level staples start at about 2 mil thick and progress up to 6 mil. The key here is that not all luxury vinyl planks are built equal.
The price can vary greatly between styles and brands. Prices can range from $ .99 per square foot to $ 5.00 per square foot. If your budget is limited and you need a cheaper, entry-level luxury vinyl, that’s fine. Just make sure the price you are paying matches the thickness and wear layer of the product you are looking at. You’ll see 2,000 discounted products in the lower range and work from there. The important note to remember here is to make sure you are comparing apples to apples while shopping for a specific price range.
Deluxe vinyl planks have two basic installation methods. The predominant method is to use a full extension adhesive. This is the most common type of application and is not recommended as a do-it-yourself project. The other type of installation is self-adhesive. Don’t confuse this with peel and stick. Peel and stick is a lower quality vinyl and will almost always lift and will usually need to be replaced within 3 years. Peel and stick types stick directly to the ground. True self-adhesive luxury vinyl planks adhere to each other, not to the floor. These luxury vinyl planks generally have a trim on two edges and a recessed trim on the other two edges that have a factory glue applied. You use your lips to glue the tiles and not the floor. Currently Konnecto, Armstrong Luxe and some Amtico styles are the only valid offerings with this type of self-adhesive installation system.
There are several finishes available on luxury wood look vinyl planks. A smooth finish is what most consumers are familiar with. However, you can get a more realistic floor by using a board that has a rib, hand scraped (simulated), or a registered raised finish. These finishes give the board a more wooden look and style by adding texture to match the color and species of wood. If you haven’t seen a sample of a registered embossed luxury vinyl floor, be sure to check one out before making your final purchase, it’s pretty impressive.
