Today, the number of flooring options available for homes, apartments, and commercial properties will simply overwhelm you. Unless you have some prior knowledge about flooring materials, you will find it hard to select the right type and quality of flooring material for your property.
One of the most preferred flooring materials is luxury vinyl plank (LVP). This material is well-known for its top quality, texture, resilience, and easy replacement and maintenance. If you are planning to achieve a uniquely attractive look while having to do only little maintenance, you will certainly want to install luxury vinyl planks in your property. However, there are so many things that you should know about LVP to make a well-informed decision and select the most suitable design, color, and texture to match the overall ambiance of your home.
Given below are the eight most important tips that will help you choose and install the most ideal LVP flooring.
#1. Check the Product Features
Luxury vinyl plank has several key features, which make it one of the best choices for installing in homes and offices. Before you purchase this material, you must read the qualities on the box carefully.
Does the product box mention waterproof, scratch-resistant, and color-through? These are the most crucial qualities that you should look for when planning to install LVP flooring. There are many other qualities that LVP carries. One of the key qualities of LVP is that it is resistant to water. If the luxury vinyl plank is water and stain-proof, it will last for a very long time. The point is to base your buying decision on the number of qualities that luxury vinyl flooring has.
#2. Wood-Look or Stone-Look?
The appearance of the luxury vinyl planks is an important concern. This flooring material is available in two kinds of looks – wood and stone. Before you head out to buy the planks, you should decide whether you want the floor to appear like wood or stone. Both these planks have their own unique appeal. Select a look that compliments the overall decor of your home or apartment.
For detailed information and tips on the selection of looks, feel free to consult with one of our flooring material experts at Minuteman Floors. They will provide you with the latest information for correct selection.
#3. LVP Patterns
Luxury vinyl plank is a type of flooring product that offers several options for creating attractive patterns. It is the job of the installer to cut the planks in innovative ways to achieve a dynamic look.
The pattern you want to create depends on how you arrange the planks on the floor. For example, the planks can be installed in a square pattern or diagonal fashion. The planks can be cut to create a zig-zag pattern as well. This is something that you need to know before you proceed with the installation of this flooring material. An experienced installer will be able to create a number of unique patterns to make your room come alive and enhance the overall aesthetics.
#4. Selection of Thickness
Most luxury vinyl planks have a minimum thickness of 7mm, but the thickness can go up to 18 mm as per the type of the product.
The thickness depends on how many layers an LVP product has. The more layers it has, the thicker it will be. Usually, these products are composed of three layers – a protective layer, a realistic stone or wood effect digital print, and insulation. In some products, you will see a fourth layer, which is added to add some new features and make it feel good under the foot. Thickness is not actually a measure of the quality of the LVP product. The most ideal product is that which suits the area of installation in a perfect manner. First, you should know where to install the material and then choose the product based on the same.
#5. Getting a Good Deal
Luxury vinyl planks come in different prices. Since it is an affordable product, you can always expect to find a product that is a good match for your budget. But you should also try to get a good deal.
Visit a flooring material shop or store which offers good deals. While it is a good idea to negotiate the price, you can always plan to buy this product at a time when the product has a little less demand. If you buy LVP products in bulk, you should expect to get a better price from the manufacturer or the seller. If you reside in Manchester, NH, you should head straight to the Minuteman Floors, a trustworthy and reliable supplier of a wide range of flooring products. You can also get in touch with our office to receive a free estimate of LVP installation.
#6. Bring Home Multiple Samples
Before you finally decide to purchase the required quantity of LVP products, you should bring home several samples. At the store, you may not be able to determine how the luxury vinyl planks you have selected will appear once installed in your home. The color of the walls and the lighting in the room will change the look of the LVP as a result of all the reflections. So, the actual look of the planks can be different inside the room or the apartment. That is why it is advisable that you get as many samples of the product as you can to make a well-informed decision.
Check out how different samples appear inside the room and then select the product which is the most ideal match.
#7. Get Some Extra Planks
During the installation, you may find some defective planks. Or, some planks can be wasted due to mistakes. This is the reason you should order a little more quantity of LVP than what is actually required.
The installation will need to be halted at the last minute if the installer finds himself short of luxury vinyl planks. You will never want something like this to happen, as it will then take more time to complete the job. You will need to purchase a few more boxes again to finish. Plus, extra planks can be saved for later use. If there is small damage or few boards need replacement, the extra planks will prove to be quite useful. There will not be a mismatch problem either.
#8. When to Buy an Underlayment
The quality of LVP products vary. Like it has been said before, you will come across LVP products of multiple thicknesses. The cost of the product will increase or decrease as per the number of layers it has.
If you have bought less expensive luxury vinyl planks, it may not have enough thickness or a thick foam backing. It is in this case that you will be required to buy underlayment for proper installation and cushioning. Using an underlayment will add a few more useful features to the floor. Most importantly, it will prevent moisture from entering into the luxury vinyl planks. If you plan to extend the life of your floor and make the floor feel good under the feet, you should buy a quality underlayment. For more on this, you should get in touch with an experienced installer.
Talk to a Flooring Installation Specialist
If you want to lay down luxury vinyl planks in your home, apartment or office, you should keep all the above tips in mind. Better still, you should have a consultation with a skilled flooring installer. For the residents of Manchester, NH, the Minuteman Floors is the ideal place to buy high-quality flooring material in a variety of colors, textures, and styles as well as have them installed correctly.
For your free LVP flooring consultation, give our office a phone call or write us an email using the contact form on our website.