Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a highly regarded flooring option as it provides numerous advantages, including durability, low maintenance, and cost. As one of the most popular flooring kinds, LVT is a modern, stylish and cost-effective flooring solution that can provide an alternative, even to some of the most expensive flooring options available.
LVT is a great flooring option for both the home and commercial settings. In this article, we’ll go over some of the pros and cons of LVT so you can make an informed choice when deciding if it is right for you.
Luxury vinyl tile flooring is much more superior than standard vinyl flooring on a roll because of its ability to closely mimic the look of real materials such as wood, porcelain, or stone.
Luxury vinyl tile flooring is typically thinner, but far more durable than other forms of sheet vinyl flooring and resembles classic hardwood or stone in appearance. It achieves this similarity by having a surface layer with a detailed image of actual wood or stone, with a mix of textures that replicate the real materials.
Luxury vinyl tile flooring is an extremely long-lasting flooring option for both home and commercial applications. Most are waterproof , allowing them to be installed in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms etc. They are also resistant to dampness, mould, mildew, stains, scratches, and scuffs. You should always check the suitability of the flooring choice for the room or environment in which it is to be used.
Customers can assist protection of the wear layer by putting protective felt to the bottom of furniture, and moving heavy items using sliders.
One of the most important advantages of luxury vinyl tile is its low maintenance compared to stone, tile, or even wood. With LVT flooring does need cleaning and polishing to maintain its look and protective wear layer. A quick dry mop, sweep with a broom or vacuum will be sufficient to remove dust and light soiling. However, do not use a steam mop as they could cause your floor to fail.
While it is recommended that you use the manufacturer’s products for cleaning and maintaining the floor; if you are planning on using any all-purpose cleaning product, make sure it is safe to use on LVT. You can always ask your manufacturer for advice on vinyl flooring care and upkeep.
Avoid using aggressive cleaners and detergents that contain ammonia, bleach, or abrasive substances, since these might damage the floor’s surface. It is possible to use household products such as white vinegar but ensure these are highly diluted. Also, while mopping up spills, consider cleaning the entire floor rather than just one location, as spill-prone areas may exhibit early deterioration.
When compared to other flooring options, such as solid hardwood flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles and natural slate, luxury vinyl tile flooring is a highly affordable option. Not only that, but it also performs an excellent job of replicating the same wood and stone looks at a fraction of the expense.
Furthermore, unlike carpet, which can harbour dirt and dust, and must be replaced or professionally cleaned more frequently, LVT is far easier and less expensive to maintain and keep clean.
When it comes to low maintenance, it is safe to say that LVT cannot be beat. It not only takes minimal effort to maintain, but it is also remarkably simple to keep it in pristine condition all year.
Luxury vinyl tile flooring, unlike natural materials, does not require any specialist care or renovation to preserve its appearance. It even duplicates real hardwood, stone, tile or procelain in a variety of styles with no effort.
As manufacturing technologies have improved over the last two decades, luxury vinyl tiles now replicate everything from wood to stone to porcelain and slate without the drawbacks that the natural materials have.
These tiles have great water and stain resistance, allowing them to be used in a variety of rooms around the home, particularly those with high moisture risk areas, like as bathrooms and kitchens.
LVT is incredibly durable, yet like every other flooring type, it is not indestructible. Luxury vinyl flooring can scrape or scuff, especially if there is heavy point loading caused by big appliances, furniture, or other heavy objects are used or dragged across it. However, keep in mind that LVT is still more resistant to scratches than many other types of floor, such as actual hardwood.
Luxury vinyl flooring will not fade as much as other cheaper varieties of domestic sheet vinyl or carpet, and it’s likely that fading may not be evident even after a few years.
However, there are several steps you can do to keep your flooring from fading. Blinds, solar shades or curtains will help with direct sunlight. In areas of extreme or prolonged direct sunlight you can put a UV-blocking film or tint on your windows that will help to prevent floor-damaging rays while still allowing sunlight to enter your home.
Moving furniture around on a regular basis might also aid with fading. This is due to the fact that vinyl can fade unevenly in areas where there is no furniture. Refreshing an area every now and then will help keep LVT looking evenly great over time.
One reason to keep extra LVT to hand is so you can replace individual tiles that may have faded in areas such as around glass patio doors or large windows. So, when calculating your excess, make sure to include extras for this purpose in case your specific floor runs out of stock or production.
As previously said, some luxury vinyl, such as floating or click-lock floor tile, is simple to replace when your LVT flooring needs to be removed, but glue-down LVT is a different issue. When the LVT becomes damaged, using heat can help to lift the individual planks or tiles.
Using heat on LVT to repair damage should only be done by a professional and you must ensure the same adhesive as the original floor installation is used.
Luxury vinyl tile is not only attractive, warm and comfortable to walk on, but it is also a long-lasting, easy-to-clean, and cost-effective option that many people prefer.
With technological advancements, the flooring is now competing with some of the most luxurious and expensive flooring options on the market, thanks to its realistic patterns, dramatic textures, and convincing finishes.
However, while it does have some minor drawbacks, these can easily be overcome, or avoided or minimised, just by taking a bit of extra care or additional steps to maintain the appearance of your LVT. There is no single type of flooring that does not have drawbacks of some kind, and when weighed up, LVT is an excellent option for those who want an attractive floor that is going to have the ease of cleaning and longevity they desire.
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