Photo Credits: Shaw Floors & MSI Surfaces
LVT vs LVP: Which Flooring Type Is Better
Both luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are luxury vinyl flooring options. The key difference between the two is LVT is tile shaped, while LVP is designed in planks. One resembles tiles and the other resembles planks, but there are pros and cons to each. Knowing what they are can help you decide which is the better option. Follow along with DustRam® for the inside scoop on LVT vs LVP and which floor type is the better option for you.
LVT: Luxury Vinyl Tile - Pros & Cons
1. The Pros
Comfort
Luxury vinyl tiles are comfortable to walk on, which isn’t the case with flooring options such as wood or stone. Besides that, luxury vinyl tile will not make much noise when you walk on it. If you live in a house full of people, then you’ll appreciate this feature. LVT is a great option for anyone that is in search for a more quiet option.
Maintenance
Maintenance for LVT flooring is easy while maintenance for stone and hardwood floors is a little more difficult. If you are in the market for a floor that doesn’t require too much attention, then luxury vinyl tiles may be a good option for you. All you have to do is sweep the floor or mop it from time to time. There is no need to use wax or polish on it.
Highly Resistant
Highly resistant to water and wear. Luxury vinyl tiles are extremely resistant to water and general wear and tear. Therefore, we highly recommend installing them in kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms where water exposure is more common. Another great quality of LVT is that pets won’t be able to easily leave scratches on the tiles.
Designs and Styles
We love that LVT is available in an array of designs and styles. The tiles can be made to resemble real wood or real stone. With so many design options and styles to choose from, finding perfect LVT flooring is fairly simple.
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2. The Cons
Not Biodegradable
LVT is not biodegradable, which means if you ever have to remove them, then you’ll probably find it difficult to recycle them. When you dispose of LVT, it will likely remain in the garbage den for a long period of time. As a result, it will play a role in causing land pollution.
It Won’t Increase
The Value Of A Home- One of the major downsides of LVT is it won’t increase the value of a home. Sure, the flooring looks great and will impress anyone. However, the chances are it won’t factor into an assessment if a home appraiser looks at your home if you plan on selling it.
Potential Safety Risks
We want to point out that there are potential safety risks associated with LVT flooring. For example, this type of flooring does not absorb liquid, which means if a beverage spills on the floor, then it will create a safety hazard. It is important to keep the floors dry in order to reduce the risk of falling.
LVP: Luxury Vinyl Plank - Pros & Cons
1. The Pros
Cheaper Than Wood Floors
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is cheaper than hardwood flooring. However, LVP resembles real wood flooring. You probably won’t be able to tell the difference at first. If you’re a fan of wood floors, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, then LVP flooring is for you. Bear in mind that many factors come into play when it comes to how much you’ll pay for luxury vinyl plank flooring. This includes where you buy it from and how much you need. The good news is if you have old flooring that needs to be removed and you don’t want to create a mess, then we can handle the job for you.
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Easy To Clean
We understand how hard it is to maintain and clean certain types of flooring, which is why we highly recommend LVP flooring. LVP is easy to clean and to maintain. All you need is a duster to get rid of dust from the surface, or you can use a wet cloth to clean LVP. The choice is up to you, but you will love having great looking floors that require very little maintenance.
Installation
Another good thing about LVP is it isn’t difficult to install. You can probably do it yourself, as it doesn’t require much expertise. In fact, when compared to installing real wood floors, only a handful of tools is required for installing LVP flooring. If you’re after a floor that requires only a little effort to install, then look no further than LVP.
Options
Finally, you have plenty of options when it comes to LVP flooring. With real wood flooring, it is extremely difficult to find a design that appeals to you and one that will suit the rest of your home. This isn’t the case with LVP flooring, which is available in many types of patterns and colors. All you need to do is consider what room/rooms it will be installed in, and then you can choose which type of LVP flooring you should buy.
2. The Cons
Not Good With Sunlight Exposure
One of the downsides of luxury plank flooring is it does not do a good job at withstanding the sunlight. Unfortunately, this means the flooring can fade due to too much sun exposure. A good way to avoid this problem is by using curtains or blinds in rooms where the flooring is going to be installed.
Prone To Damage
Luxury plank flooring, while durable in many respects, can be prone to damage from heavy or sharp objects. Dropping a heavy item or dragging furniture across the floor can cause dents or scratches. To minimize this risk, it’s advisable to use furniture pads and be cautious with heavy objects.
Which Flooring is the Better Option?
LVT flooring is ideal for those on a budget. For those who want flooring that’s easy to maintain, then LVP is slightly easier to maintain than LVT. Both types of flooring options are easy to install, durable and available in an array of designs. The truth is you can’t go wrong with either choice but do take time to think about which option to go with. Regardless of which floor type you choose, make sure to contact us to remove your current tiles. We are experts at removing tile flooring, all without leaving dust behind. We will remove your flooring dust free, and then you can have your LVT or LVP flooring installed. To see the latest news and trends on everything flooring and flooring removal, visit the blog.
