The term LVT stands for luxury Vinyl Tiles, and is a hybrid of sheet vinyl (known as canvas or oil cloth to us Northerners) and laminate flooring. The aim of LVT was to make a flooring that was super durable and versatile, so it wasn’t pigeon holed to be used in one area of the home or workplace and could be used in multiple settings.
LVT mimics materials such as wood or ceramic tile and even has the textures of those materials to help with the illusion. It also has a huge colour bank to choose from in the various styles, so there is something for everyone.
When you’re thinking about LVT flooring, it’s important to know what it’s made of and how it’s put together. Each tile is made up of several layers think of it as a slice of cake.
– A protective top layer that keeps the tile from getting worn out.
– Performance wear layers that protect the tile from dents and other damage.
– An aesthetic layer that gives the plank its colour and style.
-Middle layer, to add to the durability.
-A glass fibre layer to make it more rigid.
– Backing layers that provide extra support and padding for installation.
Some LVT flooring options also have an underlay layer to add extra cushioning.
Below I’m going to add why we think that LVT is a winner for any home or workplace:
Durable:- As I mentioned in the intro LVT is a super durable flooring for ANY area of your home or Workplace. It has become synonymous with being robust and having the capability to stand up to A LOT of foot traffic and wear and tear. Unlike solid wood it won’t dent or scratch, unlike ceramic tile it won’t crack and unlike its hybrid parent vinyl it won’t tear. It’s a high performing flooring.
Water Resistant:- At LKL, I use the term water resistant, very liberally. It’s not a term I like to use as I feel some other shops market their goods a water resistant, but that all depends on the goods and the way they are installed. However, with LVT, it is marketed by the manufacturers as water resistant. This is because LVT is a fabulous flooring for areas that have a high moisture content, like kitchens and bathrooms. I’m not saying throw a full bucket of water on the flooring and find out, what I am saying is it’s a rubber flooring, and has a cork, back (in most cases of the ones we sell). The cork keeps and locks in moisture, the rubber sits the water on the top. Both work hand in hand together.
Easy to clean:- LVT does not require a lot of upkeep, as long as you either sweep it, hoover it and if it looks grubby mop, it down. It’s easy to clean and look after.
Installing:- LVT is a product that has been marketed to be easy to install. Unlike the solid or laminate floorings, there is no sawing. Mostly it’s a score on the plank that you need to cut, then this can be snapped to give you the desired length that you need. HOWEVER, in my honest opinion, LVT is a pricier option for flooring. So, I would think of that while deciding if you would like to do it yourself or get one of our professional fitters to install it. Put it this way, if the fitter makes a mistake, then it’s on him. If you make a mistake, it’s your mistake to put right.
We want you to be confident about LVT flooring. We think it’s not only sophisticated but also adds a touch of class to any room. Plus, it’s easy to install, super durable, and comfortable to walk on, with few drawbacks.