Manufacturers decided to develop thicker luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) sold in semi-rigid planks or tiles.
Luxury vinyl flooring has pros and cons, just like standard vinyl.
Here’s what you oughta know to choose between luxury vinyl vs. standard vinyl flooring.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Standard Vinyl vs. ## Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl is installed using the same click-lock interlocking edges found onlaminate flooring.
Appearance
Standard vinyl sheet flooring or tiles traditionally aim to resemble ceramic or stone tiles.
However, many designs, patterns, and colors are available, including those that look like wood.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
In contrast, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are generally designed to mimic stone or ceramic tiles.
Hundreds of colors and styles are also available.
They also look more like simulated stone and ceramic better than standard vinyl.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Water and Heat Resistance
Luxury vinyl and standard vinyl are both waterproof flooring choices.
They are good choices for bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet locations.
Vinyl sheeting is a highly water-resistant material.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Unlike planks or tiles, sheets have fewer seams that might allow water to penetrate the subfloor.
Luxury vinyl is a completely synthetic material that is impervious to water damage.
Care and Cleaning
Both standard vinyl and luxury vinyl are cleaned using the same methods.
Sweeping or vacuuming should be done daily, and spills and stains should be wiped immediately.
Luxury vinyl plank is more rigid and thicker than standard vinyl, which increases its durability.
Moreover, when a plank becomes damaged, the flooring can be disassembled to replace the damaged plank.
Standard vinyl tile is always secured with a glue-down bond.
Best for Installation: Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl is usually easier for DIYers to install.
Standard vinyl sheets can be awkward to handle and are generally installed by professionals.
Professional installation costs for vinyl flooring are relatively affordable because the work generally goes quickly.
Plan on adding $1 to $2 per square foot for professional installation.
Luxury vinyl purchasedfrom the same outlets generally runs $2 to $4 per square foot.
Many homeowners choose to install luxury vinyl themselves, as DIY installation is relatively easy.
Luxury vinyl is more durable, generally lasting 20 to 25 years if it is well cared for.
Sizes
Standard sheet vinyl comes in 6- or 12-foot-wide rolls.
Tiles are generally 9- to 18-inch squares.
Luxury vinyl flooring usually comes in either plank or tile form.
Luxury vinyl planks and tiles don’t usually have the cachet of solid hardwood or ceramic and stone tiles.
But the latest luxury vinyl offerings are at least comparableand perhaps betterthan laminate flooring.
A luxury vinyl plank or tile floor will almost always have more resale value than a standard vinyl one.
This is especially true of luxury vinyl with cork or foam underlayment layers built into the product.
Top-quality luxury vinyl is often superior to laminate flooring for comfort.
