Is LVT Flooring Good?

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a high-quality vinyl flooring that appears as natural wood, stone, or ceramic tile. Homeowners often prefer it over carpet, hardwood, or tile for its affordability, low maintenance, and durability. Active families with children and pets adore LVT thanks to its scratch and water-resistant nature.

LVT has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to all its offers. It's a multi-layer vinyl product suitable for various spaces, including high-traffic areas. Before making a purchase, those considering Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) will first want to learn the pros and cons.

Pros of Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring

Many who still need to understand what Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) offers will want to know whether it's worth investing in. Is LVT worth the price tag over other alternative options?

LVT possesses many beautiful qualities, making them excellent additions to any home or commercial space. So long as they are provided the best possible care, LVT floors and their qualities will have an extensive lifespan.

The following are some of the benefits you can expect when choosing Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring:

Affordable

LVT is not the cheapest flooring option available. However, it still remains highly cost-effective when compared to other alternatives.

It is a relatively inexpensive choice for what it offers. Namely, everything featured in our list of benefits puts LVT among one of the best options for flooring overall.

Comfortable Luxury Design

The look and feel of LVT provide luxury on a budget for most homes interested in a natural appearance. Natural stone flooring doesn't offer very many options in terms of design. LVT flooring can give off a luxurious feel and features many designs, patterns, and color options to make your floors unique. These options include stone, hardwood, and other tile variations.

One of the best qualities LVT provides is a pleasant feeling underfoot. It may not be carpet, but Luxury Vinyl Tile still feels comfortable and soft on your feet.

Easy Maintenance

LVT flooring requires minimal maintenance. Other flooring options may need consistent waxing and polishing to preserve their look and feel. A quick clean-up can leave your LVT floors looking great. LVT requires little more than a routine sweep and mop for daily clean-up in active households.

Easy Installation

Thanks to a floating floor click-lock system, Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring is effortless to install. Each tile or plank is DIY-friendly and doesn't require special tools for placement as wood or stone would.

Some LVT may come with an adhesive side using grip strips. These types use glue to place the tiles. In any case, the only real complication comes from uneven flooring. In this situation, it may be better to seek the help of an installation professional.

Scratch-Resistant

LVT is composed of multiple layers. The topmost layer is called the wear layer. It is the protective layer that allows LVT flooring to resist scratches. How well it performs depends entirely on how thick the layer is and how it was manufactured. The layer's thickness can range from 6 MIL to 28 MIL and protects the photographic film design that keeps it vibrant.

Waterproof

LVT makes it very difficult for mold growth thanks to its waterproof material construction. Its water-resistant properties allow for easy spill clean-up, repelling humidity, and mopping. The materials make LVT an ideal flooring option for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Durable

LVT is highly durable. A single vinyl tile can hold up to 500 pounds and withstand contact from most hard-falling objects. It's not entirely damage-proof as it is prone to dents and dings. However, it is more scratch-resistant than natural wood flooring.

Cons of Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring

You can't have the pros without the cons. However, Luxury Vinyl Tile has few. There are some aspects where the cons might send specific individuals looking for alternatives. But the pros do outweigh the cons. Here are some reasons as to why you might avoid purchasing LVT flooring:

Difficult To Remove

Aside from the cases which involve grip strips, LVT doesn't require adhesive. However, if you use an adhesive to lock in your LVT flooring, removing them can present a challenge. 

For stronger glues, it may require the use of a power scraper to have them removed. Renting one of these tools can cost upwards of $80 daily. When presented with floating or click-lock planks, they're a better option than an adhesive.

Quality Inconsistency

LVT floor planks come in varying sizes and thicknesses. These elements depend entirely on the brand and manufacturer. The thinner the size of the wear layer, the more prone to damage your LVT flooring becomes. Consider a thicker option when choosing your LVT flooring before finalizing a purchase. We suggest a wear layer of 12 to 20 mil as the best option.

Non-Biodegradable

LVT will not fit the bill if your entire floor plan hinges on being as environmentally friendly as possible. They are notoriously difficult to recycle, which can cause your dreams of going green to evaporate immediately.

This isn't to say recycling LVT is impossible. There are a few places that can recycle vinyl flooring, but they are challenging to locate. Over time, we may see more of these recycling centers emerge, but in the meantime, options are limited.

Since the flooring is irreparable, replacement becomes the only option. The materials of LVT are non-biodegradable, so the odds of the flooring winding up in a landfill are likely one its beauty fades.

LVT Popularity

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring is a high-quality product meant to replicate the visual appeal of realistic, natural hardwood, stone, and tile. LVT and Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) are flooring panels cut from the same material. The difference is that LVT is cut into squares, whereas LVP is cut into planks.

The flooring was designed back in 1970 and has achieved a swell of popularity throughout the years. The most significant key difference between natural and vinyl floors is the expenses. Many homeowners enjoy the natural look and affordability of LVT flooring. They receive the natural appeal of stone or wood at a far more cost-effective price.

Not only that, but the design of LVT makes it a terrific option for those with children and pets. The wear layer protects the design from scratches by claws and high foot traffic. Natural floors lack this layer of protection resulting in a more expensive and exposed version of flooring.