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Living rooms are cosy spaces where you can relax and entertain guests. Their flooring must be durable, visually appealing, and easy to clean. If you’re looking for a flooring option that can withstand the test of time, you should consider luxury vinyl tile flooring.
LVT consists of two or more layers of hardened plastic coated with a protective wear layer. It combines affordability with the visual appeal of higher-end materials, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking for versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Our article will walk you through all the benefits and must-knows of LVT flooring for living rooms and show how it compares to other options. So, read on!
Several reasons make LVT a fantastic option for your living room flooring. Let’s break them down for you.
LVT is made mainly of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a waterproof and durable synthetic material. The PVC is mixed with other compounds to create the desired LVT effects, qualities, and looks. Some LVT products can include additional layers for extra strength and protection
This makes LVT resistant to stains, scratches, spillage, and moisture. Additionally, its wear layer can withstand high foot traffic. For busy spaces, such as living rooms, this ensures your floor maintains its longevity and visual appeal.
An exciting aspect of LVT flooring options is their versatility. First, LVT flooring comes in many styles and patterns. It’s available in plank and tile, and some flooring options can mimic the look and feel of higher-end materials like wood and stone.
However, mind that lower-end LVT may still keep its synthetic texture.
LVT is a low-maintenance material. This has many benefits. Most importantly, the flooring is easy to clean and maintain. You can effortlessly wipe spills off using just a damp cloth. You can vacuum and sweep it to clean off dust and dirt, too.
And since LVT is waterproof, maintaining its overall cleanliness and sanitation is as easy as washing it with mild detergents. Water can’t easily penetrate its subsurface, either. So, unlike other flooring options like laminate, LVT isn’t as susceptible to swelling and buckling.
Before explaining how to choose your LVT flooring, let’s break down its advantages and disadvantages.
You should consider a few factors before choosing an LVT flooring option for your living room. Here are some of them:
If you have experience in remodelling and are confident you can pull the flooring task off, there are a few steps you should follow. Note that these are general, not exhaustive.
To instal an LVT floor, you need several potentially expensive tools: a vacuum to rid the subfloor of debris and dust; a door jam saw to cut the door casings and make room for the LVT; and a belt sander to smooth out your subfloor if it has gaps, bumps, or unevenness.
If your previous flooring included nails or screws, a drill will help you effortlessly remove them.
Before installing luxury vinyl tiles, you’ll need a vinyl tile or laminate cutter to cut them to size and shape. During installation, a floor roller can help you press the LVT down. You’ll also need a rubber mallet to tap them together and close any gaps between them.
Finally, a laminate installation kit can help make the installation process easier. It includes DIY tools for smaller projects.
Note that you must ensure your subfloor is completely clean before installing your LVT floor. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris, pull out nails and screws, and sand any impurities or bumps.
There are three steps to installing an LVT floor.
First, measure your living room’s size to determine how many tiles or planks are needed. Leaving the LVT flooring to acclimatise to the room temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours is necessary—it allows it to stabilise in size.
LVT is easy to cut. A vinyl tile or laminate cutter can do the job.
You’ll need to make angled or curved cuts to fit around door jambs and awkward corners in your living room. A compass, a utility knife, and a heat gun can help with that.
Second, you’ll need to lay your first row. Mark your starting point, leave a gap to accommodate LVT expansion (usually 6.35 millimetres), and draw a straight line parallel to the room’s longest wall. You can also use spacers to maintain this gap along the walls.
After that, place the first plank or tile on the line facing the wall. Tap it firmly into place using a rubber mallet. You can continue installing the remaining planks or tiles in the first row.
Finally, you’ll need to secure the LVT. This step depends on the LVT type you’re using.
Some are self-adhesive. They have a peel-and-stick backing you can remove and press on the subfloor. Others are glue-down, which means they require an adhesive before installing them. Finally, some are floating. They interlock together using a tongue-and-groove mechanism, and their weight holds them in place.
We recommend you use a floor roller to help press the LVT firmly into the subfloor. This will ensure a smooth and even surface and a secure installation.
We always recommend homeowners leave all their remodelling tasks to professional contractors for many reasons. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tackle your flooring project if you have remodelling experience or are a DIY enthusiast.
Let’s see the pros and cons of both options.
Professional Installation Pros:
Professional Installation Cons:
DIY Installation Pros:
DIY Installation Cons:
So, if you ask us, gauge your skills. If you’re capable and have the experience, remodelling your floor yourself can save you money. If you don’t, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
Caring for your LVT floor will help it maintain its visual appeal and ensure its longevity.
Caring for your LVT floor daily isn’t an issue. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly can help you get rid of dirt, grit, and grime. Their buildup can impact the overall look of your living room or scratch your floor.
Note that LVT can withstand water and moisture, so clean it with a mild detergent when necessary. This will sanitise and help it maintain its glossy look.
Spills are frequent in living rooms, and some stains are harder to get rid of than others. You can wipe dirt, dust, water, and spills using a damp cloth or warm water and mild detergent. But tough stains, such as paint and scuff marks, need a solvent to dissolve them.
Isopropyl alcohol can do the job. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide can dissolve most protein-rich food stains.
Note that safety is a priority when handling strong solvents. Wear gloves and eye protection and always test them on an inconspicuous corner of the living room to ensure they don’t damage the floor.
There are several things you can do to ensure your living room floor lasts for as long as possible.
Using furniture pads or protectors is an excellent way to prevent scratches. It’s best to avoid dragging heavy objects or dropping heavy materials on your LVT floor. Also, sweep often to get rid of grit, especially broken glass.
Applying coats of floor-restoring polish can help you maintain your floor’s glossy look. Buy a finish or polish and clean your floor thoroughly before applying it, following your manufacturer’s guidelines.
There are several differences between LVT and other flooring options.
LVT and laminate are both synthetic products made of several layers of materials. However, laminate is usually installed as a floating floor, while LVT offers more installation choices.
LVT is more moisture-resistant and waterproof than laminate flooring. It’s a viable flooring option for wet spaces. Laminate isn’t waterproof—excessive moisture can buckle or warp it.
Again, LVT is more scratch-resistant than laminate thanks to its urethane wear layer. Meanwhile, laminate comes in more colours, patterns, and textures, offering more design options than LVT. Still, the former can mimic natural materials like wood and stone well.
Laminate is cheaper than LVT flooring, both materials- and installation-wise. However, this depends on the product’s quality.
Hardwood is much more expensive than LVT. Wood adds warmth to your living room but is costly and requires frequent refinishing. In contrast, LVT is low-maintenance.
Hardwood, if not engineered, is more susceptible to stains and moisture. However, both materials are resistant to many other types of damage.
LVT is the better choice, design-wise. Only a few wood types are used in flooring, usually oak and maple, while LVT comes in many styles and patterns.
Both LVT and ceramic tiles offer many design options. They come in several styles and patterns and are low-maintenance, only requiring sweeping and washing.
However, ceramic tiles can be cold and hard underfoot. They’re also waterproof and resistant to most types of damage, but they’re susceptible to impacts. So while dropping a heavy object may only dent your LVT, it’ll shatter your ceramic tiles.
Ceramic tiles are also more expensive than LVT. Their installation is more complex and costs more than their LVT counterpart.
LVT is a synthetic flooring material that consists of several layers. They are wear, print, fill, and backing layers. Some LVT can feature extra layers for added durability.
Yes. Its visual appeal and resistance make it a good flooring solution for living rooms.
Yes. LVT is more resistant to scratches and is waterproof.
LVT comes in a wide range of qualities, so its performance will depend on your manufacturer. However, one of the major drawbacks is that it’s difficult to repair once it’s damaged or worn down. Low-end LVT will also feel synthetic and won’t last as long.
Mop and vacuum it regularly, wash it with warm water and a mild detergent, and use isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to get rid of stubborn stains.
It’s up to personal taste. Glue-down is the most stable but the hardest to remove. Self-adhesive is easy to instal but isn’t as durable or water-resistant. Loose lay is easy to instal too, but it isn’t suitable for high-traffic areas.
When installed properly, yes.
When regularly maintained and cleaned, yes.
Some types of LVT come with built-in underlayment, so you don’t need to instal anything. However, other types don’t, so you’ll need to instal an underlayment below it. It’s necessary for sound isolation, moisture protection, and comfort.
Consider LVT if you’re looking for a beautiful, cost-effective, and low-maintenance flooring option.
Not only is it resistant to a wide range of damages that common flooring materials are susceptible to, but it can also mimic the look of expensive materials. In addition, you’ll certainly discover a style that matches your design aesthetic since it comes in many qualities and finishes.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us to give your living room the treatment it deserves.