Luxury Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide
Luxury vinyl flooring has transformed the way homeowners think about flooring. With its stunning realism, durability and versatility, it gives you the look of hardwood or stone without the high maintenance. Whether you're redesigning a single room or your entire home, luxury vinyl flooring offers a stylish foundation that complements any decor. You'll love the way it enhances your space, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere while standing up to daily life. With so many styles and performance features available, finding the right luxury vinyl floor is easier than ever. Here’s what to consider if you're thinking about this popular choice for new flooring in your home.
Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Not all luxury vinyl looks the same on your floor. It comes in several forms, each with its own advantages. While all share the same core benefits of water resistance and easy maintenance, the right choice depends on where you plan to install it and what aesthetic you want to achieve.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Designed to mimic hardwood, LVP features realistic wood grain patterns and textures. It's available in a range of plank widths and lengths for an authentic look. It’s generally the number one choice for spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): Offers the appearance of stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, and is a great option for kitchens. Unlike traditional tile, LVT has a softer feel underfoot and doesn’t require grout.
Sheet Vinyl: This is more of a specialty flooring, not as common as plank and tile. Sold in large rolls, sheet vinyl provides seamless coverage, making it a great choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms.
How Luxury Vinyl Flooring is Made
Luxury vinyl flooring is constructed in layers that enhance its durability and realistic appearance.
Wear Layer: The protective top layer that resists scratches, stains and general wear. Measured in mils (one-thousandth of an inch), a thicker wear layer offers better durability and protects the design. Layer common thicknesses range from 12-30 mils.
Printed Design Layer: This is where the attractive appearance of luxury vinyl resides. Advanced imaging technology replicates the natural look of wood, stone, or tile with stunning accuracy.
Core Layer: Provides stability and impact resistance. The two types of core are SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite).
SPC Core: Dense and rigid, SPC vinyl resists impacts and dents, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas and commercial spaces.
WPC Core: Slightly softer underfoot, WPC absorbs sound better and provides a bit more comfort, making it ideal for residential settings.
Backing Layer: Enhances durability and moisture resistance. Some products include an attached underlayment for added cushioning and sound absorption.
Advantages of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring provides a range of benefits that make it a top choice for modern homes.
Water Resistant Performance: Unlike hardwood, luxury vinyl can handle moisture and won’t warp, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements.
Realistic Appearance: Advances in printing and embossing create highly detailed wood and stone visuals that rival the real thing.
Comfortable Underfoot: Softer and warmer than traditional tile or hardwood, luxury vinyl makes standing for long periods more comfortable.
Scratch and Stain Resistant: A durable wear layer protects against scratches, scuffs and spills, making it great for households with kids or pets.
Easy Maintenance: Simple to clean with regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping—no need for refinishing or sealing.
Budget-Friendly: Provides the high-end look of hardwood or tile at a fraction of the cost.
Performance Factors to Consider
When selecting the best luxury vinyl plank flooring for your home, keep these factors in mind.
Thickness: Luxury vinyl floors typically range from 2mm to 15mm thick. Thicker planks feel more substantial and often include added cushioning for comfort.
Wear Layer Thickness: A thicker wear layer 20-30 mils) offers better resistance to scratches and dents, ideal for high-traffic areas. It also protects the design and ensures that it will retain its appearance for a long time.
Installation Method:
Click-Lock: Features interlocking edges for a floating floor installation with no glue required. This is the most DIY-friendly option as well as being the most cost-effective for professional installation.
Glue-Down: Secured directly to the subfloor, this method provides enhanced stability, especially for large areas.
Loose Lay: Uses friction or tack strips to hold planks in place, allowing for easy removal and replacement.
Texture & Embossing: Textured surfaces enhance the realistic feel of wood or stone patterns, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits.
Underlayment: Some luxury vinyl floors come with an attached pad for sound absorption and comfort. Otherwise, a separate underlayment can be added.
Looks, Styles & Trends in Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring trends closely follow those of hardwood and natural stone, with an emphasis on realistic textures, timeless colors, and versatile designs.
Wood Looks
Luxury vinyl plank flooring mimics the look of hardwood with astonishing detail. There are many looks available. Here are some of the latest trends:
Wide plank designs remain popular, evoking a high-end, contemporary feel.
Light, natural tones like white oak and European oak continue to trend, while rich, dark hues bring warmth and elegance.
Walnut is becoming a popular visual in the darker hues.
Ash is also becoming popular in the lighter hues in addition to the white and European oaks.
Hand-scraped and wire-brushed textures enhance authenticity, giving planks a more organic, lived-in appearance.
Alternative plank patterns such as herringbone and chevron are finding their way into many of today’s homes.
Stone & Tile Looks
Luxury vinyl tile offers the beauty of stone, slate, and ceramic with added comfort underfoot. Marble-inspired designs add sophistication, while travertine and slate looks create an earthy, rustic charm. As with wood looks, alternate tile patterns—think herringbone and checkerboard layouts— bring visual interest, making floors a focal point in any space.
Bold Colors & Patterns
For those looking to make a statement, patterned luxury vinyl flooring is gaining popularity. Chevron and parquet designs bring a touch of classic elegance, while encaustic tile patterns add vintage-inspired flair. While neutral colors remain a top choice for their versatility, many homeowners elect a darker tone for its sophistication or a more colorful floor for the cheer it exudes.
Limitations of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
While luxury vinyl offers many advantages, it's important to consider a few limitations.
Not Genuine Hardwood: Although luxury vinyl closely mimics wood and stone, it isn’t the real thing. For some purists, only the elegance and sophistication of authentic hardwood will do.
Can Dent: While vinyl is generally resistant to bumps and bruises, it’s not damage-proof. Heavy furniture and sharp objects can leave dents or gouges, especially on WPC-core flooring.
Not as Long-Lasting as Hardwood: While durable, luxury vinyl has a lifespan of up to 25 years, while hardwood can last generations with proper care. Vinyl can’t be refinished for extended life the way hardwood can.
Choosing Luxury Vinyl for Your Home
Luxury vinyl is suitable for any room in the house, from busy kitchens to moisture-prone bathrooms. Its ability to handle spills, humidity, and heavy foot traffic makes it an excellent all-around flooring option. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of marble, the warmth of oak, or the charm of encaustic tile, luxury vinyl offers endless possibilities to match your style.
It’s no accident that luxury vinyl is the first option many folks consider, whether they are remodeling a single room and installing a new floor throughout the home. With so much to choose from, selecting the best luxury vinyl flooring can be an adventure! Keep in mind the factors discussed in the guide, and rest assured that, no matter what your choice, you'll enjoy the confidence of a floor that stands up to daily life while elevating the look and feel of your space.