A Comprehensive Guide to Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl flooring has been a popular choice for many years because it is naturally water-resistant, economical, and durable. It typically comes in sheet or in tile form. Vinyl tile flooring is quite common for commercial spaces which get a high amount of foot traffic.

Since vinyl is seen as an alternative to more high-end flooring options, it does not always have a good reputation. But in recent years, advancements in manufacturing techniques have led to the production of luxury vinyl tile flooring.

How are luxury vinyl tiles manufactured?

Different floor manufacturers have their own technology used in manufacturing luxury vinyl tiles. In general, you can distinguish luxury vinyl from standard vinyl because it consists of more layers of material compressed together. Most types of luxury vinyl consist of at least five layers. The top layer is a transparent film which acts as a protective covering with built-in stain and scratch resistance. Below the protective layer is the design or photographic layer made using advanced high-definition printing to produce an authentic appearance mimicking natural materials almost perfectly.

The rest of the layers consist of an impact resistant core, moisture-resistant backing, and stabilising sheet made with fibreglass. All these layers ensure that the tiles don’t warp or get disfigured due to moisture.

Benefits of using luxury vinyl tiles

Since luxury vinyl tiles became widely available as a flooring option, many people have started to appreciate the benefits of using this type of flooring as a superior substitute to standard vinyl and laminate floors. Using luxury vinyl tiles has the following advantages:

• Design versatility. One of the main benefits of using luxury vinyl tiles which you can get from natural materials is the versatility in design. Luxury vinyl can mimic the look of ceramic, stone, and hardwood and comes in a variety of colours and styles to suit any design aesthetic. Advanced manufacturing techniques also make it possible to create textured luxury vinyl tiles which is one of the current design trends favoured by homeowners today.
• Easy installation. Although luxury vinyl tiles are made up of several layers, these are still thinner and relatively more lightweight than stone, ceramic tile, and hardwood planks. This makes it a lot easier to install luxury vinyl in almost any area of a home, even when the construction consists of multiple floors. As a precaution, however, it is best to ensure that the subfloor is also even and clean before you install luxury vinyl tiles.
• Increased comfort. LVT is naturally soundproofed and softer to walk on. It is ideal for spaces like offices or in bedrooms where you don’t want foot traffic to cause too much noise. Some LVTs come with an antimicrobial feature which kills germs on contact.
• Easy to clean and maintain. Like standard vinyl, luxury vinyl is also easy to clean and maintain. All you need is a damp mop or cloth to remove dirt from the floor surface. Since LVT is designed to resist moisture, you can install it in kitchens and bathrooms without worrying about warping or shrinking caused by humidity and temperature changes.
• Economical. Luxury vinyl tiles offer excellent value for money. This flooring option is affordable and high-quality.
• Environment-friendly. One concern homeowners have with synthetic flooring is that it emits volatile compounds which are harmful to both health and the environment. In contrast with other synthetic flooring materials, LVT has low volatile compound emissions. Nevertheless, if you want to make sure, always check with the manufacturer if the product they are carrying has the proper certification required for safe installation in the home.

Undoubtedly, luxury vinyl flooring is fast becoming the go-to choice for high-quality yet affordable flooring. Since natural materials like stone and hardwood are becoming more expensive, new techniques in manufacturing engineered flooring material, like LVT, are paving the way for better options homeowners can choose from.

Are there possible downsides to using LVT?

In general, LVT is an excellent choice for any home. But, there are still some concerns that every homeowner needs to be aware of to guide in selecting the right flooring type. While the benefits of LVT outweigh the disadvantages, it is still important to take note of the following:

• Choosing an ideal transition material. It is not uncommon to have a home where different flooring types grace specific areas such as the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen. If you are using LVT for the kitchen floor, a potential problem you may encounter is finding the right transition material. A metal piece, for example, will not blend well with LVT. The best alternative most installers suggest is to use a piece of wood stained to match the colour of the LVT you are using. In any case, you can leave this issue to your contractor, and they can always figure out a creative solution.
• Unexpected price range. The price of luxury vinyl tile is relatively higher than that of standard vinyl. Some homeowners expect that because LVT is still vinyl it will cost the same as standard vinyl. However, it is not the case because there is a massive difference between the quality of ordinary vinyl and that of LVT. Although LVT is pricier than regular vinyl, it is still an economical choice compared with other flooring options.

These potential setbacks are minor points only and will certainly not impact the quality of luxury vinyl tiles.

LVT installation guide

One of the highlights of using LVT is the ease of installation. Installing LVT is a lot quicker than other flooring options. When choosing LVT for flooring, it is still best to allow a professional contractor to install the tiles to ensure that it is done correctly.

Luxury vinyl tiles come in different types according to how they are going to be installed. The method of installing LVT will vary according to your preference and the subfloor type. Generally, LVT is categorised as glue-down or floating. Here are specific LVT types which either require floating or glue-down installation.

• Glue-down luxury vinyl tile. Installing luxury vinyl requires the use of vinyl glue. Glue is applied first on the subfloor before laying down the vinyl tiles. You will need to wait for the glue to harden completely before you can use the floor. One disadvantage of this type of installation is the difficulty in removing the tiles in case you need to replace them later on.
• Loose-lay luxury vinyl tile. This type of luxury vinyl tile does not require adhesive or interlocking grooves. A loose lay luxury vinyl tile has a unique high friction bottom that adheres to the subfloor. This option features easy installation and removal.
• Interlocking luxury vinyl tile. This is an example of a floating installation where the tiles feature grooves that you can easily interlock together. The advantage of this type of installation is that you can complete the floor within hours and you can also use it immediately. It is also relatively easy to remove interlocking LVT in case of replacement.
• Self-adhesive luxury vinyl tile. This type of luxury vinyl tile comes with an adhesive on the bottom. You just need to remove the protective film and press the adhesive to the subfloor. It is also easy to remove this type of LVT.

It is vital to choose the right installation type in case you are planning on remodelling in the future. Nevertheless, there may be other factors to consider when selecting the correct installation type suitable for your home. Always consult your contractor for expert advice on this matter.

Choosing the right LVT installation area

Luxury vinyl tiles have many of the features of standard vinyl but are enhanced through advanced manufacturing technology. Luxury vinyl, as the name implies, gives homeowners an opportunity to achieve the same look as natural flooring material at a fraction of the price. But unlike natural materials like hardwood, luxury vinyl is not prone to scratching and has high moisture-resistance.

Any space in the home is a prime installation spot for luxury vinyl, but if you are on a budget and would like to prioritise some areas of your home, luxury vinyl is best for areas which are prone to moisture exposure such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Since luxury vinyl is also naturally soundproofed, it is an ideal flooring choice for office spaces and commercial establishments. Luxury vinyl will even stand up well when subjected to high foot traffic because of its resistance to scratching and its durability.

Conclusion

Luxury vinyl tiles are changing how people see vinyl as a flooring option. What used to be seen only as a practical choice is now considered as a high-quality option for homes and commercial spaces. Luxury vinyl’s enhanced features and appearance make it an ideal alternative to natural flooring materials which are typically more expensive. But unlike hardwood, for example, luxury vinyl is more durable and is also resistant to moisture.

Another great feature of luxury vinyl is that depending on the type of installation, you can easily remove it if you are planning a renovation. Overall, luxury vinyl retains the practicality of standard vinyl but with enhanced durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes