What is vinyl plank flooring? A homeowner’s guide

What is vinyl plank flooring? A homeowner’s guide

Vinyl plank flooring has increased in popularity with an increase of 185% since 2010. More and more homeowners are choosing vinyl over hardwood floors or even carpets each year. 

Do you want to learn more about vinyl plank flooring and why it is a great choice for your home? Keep reading this homeowner’s guide to vinyl plank flooring and to find a flooring store near me in the Watertown, Lake Mills, and Oconomowoc, WI areas.

What Is vinyl plank flooring? 

Vinyl plank flooring, also known as luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl floor (LVF), is a type of synthetic material that comes in planks. It looks quite similar to hardwood flooring but is made mostly from PVC.  

Vinyl plank floors are made from several different layers and come in long, narrow strips. The top layer of vinyl is made from a scratch-resistant material, like aluminum oxide.

Beneath this is a clear layer, as well as a design layer that makes your vinyl flooring look like real wood. The last layer is what makes up the thickness of vinyl plank flooring. It is a thick layer of rigid vinyl.

Because vinyl plank flooring has a design layer, you can find products that mimic many other materials, like wood, stone, or even granite. 

How to install vinyl flooring

A huge benefit of using vinyl plank flooring is that it is quite easy to install, even for beginners. 

First, you need to begin by prepping your room. You need to remove the baseboards and plan out where your flooring will go.

Vinyl plank flooring fits together like puzzle pieces. One side of the planks has a groove and another side has a tongue. After you install the first row of your planks, you will simply insert the tongue of a plank into the groove of another plank and click them into place. 

You want to be sure that you stagger the joints of your vinyl floor by at least 6 inches, so you will need to cut your planks accordingly. If you are worried about the installation process of vinyl plank flooring, you can hire a professional flooring installer to help. 

Cost of vinyl flooring

The cost of vinyl plank flooring will depend on several factors, including the size of your home, the type of vinyl flooring you choose, and if you hire a professional flooring installation service. 

Typically, vinyl plank flooring will cost anywhere from $2-$7 per square foot. On the other hand, things like hardwood or ceramic tile cost more to purchase and will have an additional installation cost. 

When you are installing LVP, you can install it over the existing floor, as long as it is relatively flat. This means that 

Benefits of using vinyl plank flooring

There are many benefits of using vinyl plank flooring for your home. 

First, it is the best option for scratch resistance and stain resistance. If you have pets or children, you may worry about how natural wood floors will hold up to the wear and tear of your daily life. 

However, these planks are quite durable and will look new for years to come. 

These are also a great option for flooring if you want a wood floor alternative. While some types of synthetic flooring look unnatural, vinyl plank flooring has a convincing wood finish that will look like the real thing. 

Another benefit that was mentioned before is that vinyl flooring is quite easy to install on your own.

If you are looking to save some money on your home improvement projects, you can buy the materials from your local flooring store and install them on your own. 

Finally, vinyl plank flooring is a great choice because it can be used in any part of your home. There are many waterproof vinyl plank options that make it a good option, even for bathrooms and kitchens.

You will not have to worry about spilling a little water on your floors with LVP flooring. 

How To care for vinyl flooring

While vinyl plank flooring is naturally durable and stain-resistant, you want to be sure you care for it correctly to keep it looking great for years to come. 

Luckily, maintenance for vinyl plank flooring is quite simple, even without expensive tools or cleaners. Some things you may need to clean your vinyl floor are a vacuum and mop, microfiber cloth, and a bucket of water. 

You can use a vacuum or a dry mop to remove any loose dirt from your floor. This should be done every day or two. If you leave loose dirt, they can cause small scratches and may ruin the surface of your LVP. 

Next, you can use a wet mop or a microfiber cloth to clean off any grime or to remove stains. You can use water to clean your LVP, or you can use a natural cleaner. You can mix together apple cider vinegar with water to help remove the hard-to-get grime. 

Find a floor store near me today

Vinyl plank flooring provides many benefits for homeowners from increased home value to improved aesthetics. It is a great alternative to wood floors and is not hard to install. 

Are you looking for floor stores near me in the Watertown, Lake Mills, and Oconomowoc, WI areas? Y’s Way Flooring can help! We are a local carpet and flooring store that can help with professional installation, flooring supply, and more. 

Contact our team today to learn more about our laminate store near me and to get free quotes and consultation for your new flooring.