Everything you need to know about Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT):

There is a segment of the floor covering market that hasn’t received the full attention it deserves. Commercial designers/specifiers are huge fans of this, but what they know hasn’t filtered down to be shared with flooring consumers at large.

The features and benefits of Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are outlined below, and these points separate LVT from the mix of other vinyl goods. Luxury Vinyl Tile couldn’t be more different, not only in how it’s manufactured but in the total aesthetic and applications.

Can you believe that it is now possible to have the look, graining, and character of real hardwood in vinyl tile? Today’s technology in replication processes is the first step in creating vinyl “wood” planks and textured “stone” tiles that rival the real thing. Some of today’s big city design firms have decorated their office floors with elegant luxury vinyl “wood” planking or vinyl “slate.” These top designers can have any flooring material they want, yet many of them choose LVT. Here’s why:

LVT FEATURES & BENEFITS:

Incredibly realistic photo replication of natural materials (photogravure process): The look and feel of nature’s best materials at a lower cost are a reality of LVT manufacturing.

Brands that offer 100% vinyl material: Vinyl flooring satisfies Green building standards and earns LEED points in commercial applications.

Inherent safety features: Meets requirements of commercial flammability codes, slip resistant requirement, and a menu of other safety codes.

Ease of maintenance: Simple damp mopping is the recommended cleaning procedure for LVT floors.

Excellent selection of sizes and shapes: The size options vary by manufacturer, but many styles are available in 12 x 12”, 18 x 18”, 12 x 24” sizes, and planks in standard (3 x 36” 4.5 x 36) and extra-large widths (7 or 9’ widths).

Naturally water resistant: LVT floors are inherently water-resistant (and fairly impervious to wet spills from above). It’s important to install over flat, dry, approved substrates so that no water seepage occurs beneath the floor.

Scratch, stain, dent and scuff resistant: Specialized wear layers (most common are 20mm). Then the floors are coated with urethane to enhance durability.

Cost-effective: Economics factor favourably into the specification of LVT for both commercial and residential applications, giving the look and feel of rich, natural materials at a lower cost.

Exceptional durability: Because LVT is constructed to withstand commercial wear and tear, it’s probably “over-qualified” for residential use and can handle high-traffic areas with ease. Warranties vary by manufacturer, but it’s not unusual to see 20-25 year warranties on brand name LVT.

More resilient than other hard surface floors: Because there are multi-layers of vinyl in LVT as well as a resilient backing as the foundation, LVT tiles and planks have more resilience underfoot. It’s easier to stand on for long periods of time AND as an added benefit, it tends to be warmer underfoot than ceramic.

Amazing aesthetics: There has been a stunning transformation in the design aesthetics of LVT in the last five years. If you are linking it to “industrial” looking floors, this is where you need to throw away your misconceptions and do some research. This may be the one biggest factor that has caused interior designers to stand up and take note of the new brand of LVT. The realism of the total look, including distressed wood finishes, stone and slate tactile surface textures, and even woven textiles imbedded in the wear layers, are grabbing attention.

There is a reason that Luxury Vinyl Tile is gaining huge momentum in the consumer market, and the reasons are pretty well described above. It’s time for you to be pleasantly amazed.

~Content thanks to Annette M. Callari at the World Floor Covering Association