LVT stands for luxury vinyl tile. It’s primarily made of a durable type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it realistically imitates the appearance of many materials, from various types of natural stone and marble to hardwood. LVT is usually two to eight millimeters thick, making each tile semi-rigid.
Luxury vinyl tile consists of multiple layers:
- Durable vinyl, felt, or fiberglass backing for rigidity and strength
- Decorative PVC print film, sometimes containing ground mineral content to imitate natural stone
- Sturdy transparent vinyl layer to protect the design
- Protective urethane topcoat to add shine
Some types of LVT even come with a special acoustic backing that can dampen sound and make the flooring feel more comfortable underfoot.
Advantages of LVT
According to Homes & Gardens, “With luxury vinyl flooring, you can achieve the same look as a high-quality hardwood or natural stone floor at a fraction of the cost and with minimal upkeep. Though often overlooked in the world of interior design, luxury vinyl is an extremely versatile choice that can be made to fit almost any space and style.”
Let’s delve into the benefits of luxury vinyl tile!
Realistic Appearance
Thanks to modern printing technology and advanced embossing techniques, luxury vinyl tile features a surface that doesn’t just look like wood or natural stone–it feels like it, too.
Wide Range of Options
There’s no shortage of design options with LVT. It can imitate the look of slate, marble, travertine, wood, or even leather, with nearly unlimited choices to fit any and all interior design preferences.
Comfortable
Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood and porcelain, luxury vinyl tile is softer and warmer underfoot. Plus, it pairs well with underfloor heating for additional comfort.
Cost-Effective
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly flooring option, LVT should be one of your top choices. Materials are affordable, and because installation is easy, you may be able to DIY the process and avoid the cost of hiring a pro.
In some cases, you can even install it on top of your current flooring, avoiding the expense of ripping out your existing floor.
Luxury vinyl tile typically has an excellent ROI since it doesn’t require expensive maintenance throughout its lifetime.
While costs vary depending on the specific product, installation process, and geographic location, here are several estimates to consider:
- Forbes reports that materials cost $2 to $7 per square foot, and installation costs $1 to $7 per square foot, for a grand total of $3 to $13 per square foot for both materials and installation.
- Architectural Digest notes that LVT averages between $2 and $10 per square foot for materials.
- HomeGuide estimates that luxury vinyl tile will cost $2 to $10 per square foot for materials and $2 to $6 per square foot for labor.
Simple to Install
LVT is usually straightforward to install and doesn’t require many tools, making it perfect for DIYers. There are no grout joints to fill, seal, and maintain with this type of flooring, and most repairs are quick and easy to complete.
Check our our guide to DIY LVT installation here.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
All LVT requires to look its best is regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional mopping with mild cleaning products. It doesn’t need refinishing or sealing like natural stone does. In the past, vinyl flooring often required polishing and waxing, but this isn’t the case with modern LVT products.
Durable
There’s a reason why Better Homes & Gardens listed luxury vinyl tile as one of the five most durable flooring options! LVT can withstand wear and tear and is a great choice for high-traffic areas and active households. It’s resistant to stains, scuffs, scratches, and dents and typically lasts 15 to 20 years.
Pet-Friendly
We mentioned that LVT is resistant to stains and scratches, and that makes it an excellent choice for homes with pets. There’s no need to worry about pets’ nails scratching the floor’s surface or accidents leaving permanent stains and damage. (Looking for pet-friendly flooring? We have plenty of recommendations.)
Water-Resistant
Luxury vinyl tile is resistant to water, making it perfect for areas that are prone to moisture, namely bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Many LVT options also feature antimicrobial protection to make the flooring even more resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth.
Quiet
Compared to other flooring options like laminate, ceramic, and hardwood, LVT tends to be quieter. Some products feature an attached pad that can further dampen sounds, which can be especially handy if you’re installing the flooring upstairs and don’t want to hear every footstep.
Sustainable
While not all LVT options are sustainable, many companies are beginning to incorporate recycled content. In an attempt to go green, they may also avoid phthalates and high-VOC (volatile organic compound) inks during the manufacturing and printing process.
LVT Applications
Luxury vinyl tile is suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial applications.
Residential Applications
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Living areas
- Dining areas
- Bedrooms
- Mudrooms
- Laundry rooms
- Entryways
Commercial Applications
- Office buildings
- Hospitality spaces
- Senior living communities
- Education settings
- Healthcare buildings
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Apartment buildings
Debunking Misconceptions about LVT
Many people have heard myths and misconceptions about luxury vinyl tile, but we’re here to debunk them and discuss the facts of this flooring material.
Myth: Each tile has the same print.
Truth: This may have been the case in the past. Nowadays, though, advanced printing creates realistic and varied designs that more accurately imitate natural materials. Often, a hot press method is used to add touchable texture to each tile to make it look and feel even more realistic.
Myth: LVT is just cheap linoleum flooring.
Truth: Modern technology has brought LVT a long way from the days of cheap, sticky, easily ripped linoleum flooring. Not only is luxury vinyl tile durable and resilient, but it’s made from a different material than linoleum and goes through an entirely different production process.
Myth: LVT isn’t durable.
Truth: The luxurious nature of luxury vinyl tile means that it’s not cheaply made. It features multiple layers that make it long-lasting and capable of standing up to plenty of wear and tear, even in high-traffic areas.
Myth: LVT requires a lot of maintenance.
Truth: There’s no need to polish, wax, or buff LVT flooring. Most LVT just needs to be swept or vacuumed regularly and mopped as needed.
Find the Perfect Flooring for Your Home at Tilezz.com!
Tilezz.com offers a wide range of flooring options, from natural stone to porcelain, ceramic, and glass tile. You can view our complete product range here, or visit our blog for plenty of information and DIY installation instructions. If you’re searching for interior design inspiration, take a look at our Pinterest page!