There’s a lot of buzz around luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring. After all, its durability, versatility and aesthetics are all perfect for a busy lifestyle. So if you’re home needs a stylish makeover, vinyl laminate flooring could be well worth considering.
We think vinyl flooring tiles should definitely be in the mix when you’re looking for an affordable, high-end finish. So we’ve taken a good look at the advantages of LVT flooring and how to fit it for the perfect finish.
5 reasons why we love vinyl flooring
Vinyl laminate flooring has become a fast favourite with homeowners – and it’s easy to see why. Here are some key benefits of LVT flooring.
1. Stands up to anything
LVT flooring offers new standards of durability, so it’s perfect for a busy home with high-traffic areas. It won’t scratch, dent, or stain, and you can use it anywhere in your home, which makes this flooring ideal if you have kids and pets.
2. Appealing visuals
Do you crave a solid wood floor but fear the maintenance? Vinyl laminate flooring accurately recreates the look and underfoot feel of the real thing. But its versatility doesn’t end there. With a massive range of different finishes, you can install realistic marble vinyl flooring tiles in the bathroom and enjoy the look and feel of wood in your living room.
3. Waterproof and insulating
Unlike wood, LVT flooring is highly resistant to moisture so it can handle spills and pet accidents. It’s an ideal choice for basements, utility rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens where oak wood flooring could warp and suffer water damage. In addition, using vinyl laminate flooring creates an insulating barrier, so it feels great to walk on and is an energy-efficient choice.
4. Easy to maintain
Any flooring needs cleaning occasionally, but LVT flooring has the edge when it comes to making cleaning easy. You can wipe splashes and spills away in seconds without worrying that you’re ruining your floor.
And a quick sweep or vacuum will keep it looking good as new. If you need a deeper clean, then floor wipes or a damp mop will soon make your floor look as good as new. There’s no sanding, staining, or waxing, and the protective wear layer will keep your flooring looking great for years to come.
5. Quick to install
Modern vinyl laminate flooring is so quick to install you can transform a room in a weekend. There’s no need for glue, nails, or screws and modern click technology makes laying vinyl flooring a breeze!
How to lay vinyl flooring
If you’re looking to transform your decor with a practical floor you can fit yourself, LVT flooring is an intelligent choice. So here’s our quick step-by-step guide on how to fit vinyl flooring to get you started:
1. Prepare the floor
Your subfloor should be as flat as possible. Otherwise, your vinyl planks won’t lie properly. Remove any lumps or bumps, and use a builder’s level in multiple areas across the floor to assess whether it’s even. Then level out any dips over 2mm with a self-levelling compound.
2. Acclimatise your flooring
Before laying your floor, leave the unopened boxes in the room for 48 hours. Ensure they’re kept flat, and the temperature is constant between 18℃ and 28℃. Keep your LVT flooring out of direct sunlight to avoid bowing.
3. Prepare the underlay
Look for a specialised LVT underlay between 1mm and 1.5mm thick — use a high-density foam with a moisture barrier. Roll out your underlay, ensuring the moisture barrier is touching the subfloor. Underlay helps to bed in the flooring, but it won’t compensate for an uneven floor, so pay attention to prepping the subfloor before you start.
4. Install your LVT flooring
Now you’re ready to fit your vinyl flooring.
- Position your first plank with the tongue side against the wall.
- Use 10mm spacers to ensure an expansion gap between your vinyl planks and the wall.
- Now click the next plank in place at the short end, pressing the joint together firmly and using a rubber mallet to lock the joints in place.
- Continue the first row until you reach the end. Cut a plank to fit by scoring with a Stanley knife and then snapping off the excess. Save this to start the next row if possible.
- Start the next row with a plank no smaller than 300mm, but make sure you offset each row for a natural appearance.
- Finally, remove the spacers and add beading or a skirting board to cover the expansion gap.
Transform your home with A Wood Idea
We hope you’re inspired to transform your home in style with beautiful vinyl laminate flooring. At A Wood Idea, we’re specialists in fabulous flooring, doors, staircases, and more. So for more inspo, shop our range or pop into our showroom, where our team will be happy to help! Want more information on laying laminate flooring and choosing the best underlay, take a read of our choosing the best underlay for laminate flooring article.
