What Is Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring? Exploring the Elegance and Durability

 You've probably heard the term "LVT" tossed around casually in your LVT Flooring choices, but perhaps you aren't fully aware of what it means. LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile, a product that is rapidly growing in popularity because of its beautiful designs, versatile functionality and affordability.

A great deal of flexibility for designers and architects, too

Its construction offers a great deal of flexibility for designers and architects, too. The multi-layers in a typical lvt floor make for a durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain product. LVT can be produced to look like a variety of different materials, including wood floors, stone and tiling, but because of its vinyl base, it is much easier on the budget than these other options.

The layered construction of an LVT floor includes the backing

The layered construction of an LVT floor includes the backing, core and image/wear layers, with the back layer making up most of the product's thickness. The backing is primarily made of vinyl, though it can also be constructed from cork or other materials. The image/wear layer is what gives the product its unique look, and the most popular choice are wood-look designs, although there are many other options as well. A clear protective layer is added during the manufacturing process to seal in the image/wear layer and provide lasting durability.

 More forgiving than hardwood or tile when it comes to moisture conditions in a room

One of the benefits of LVT is that it's more forgiving than hardwood or tile when it comes to moisture conditions in a room. This makes it a great alternative for basements, bathrooms and laundry rooms where actual hardwood is typically not recommended. In addition, LVT can be installed using click-together technology that eliminates the need for nails, leveling and spacers. It also requires less installation time than a traditional glue-down hardwood or tile floor.

While the advantages of LVT are considerable

While the advantages of LVT are considerable, there are some downsides to keep in mind as well. For example, while it can look very similar to wood floors, it will not add value to your home if you ever decide to sell. And while it is very hardwearing, the protective wear layer can be scratched or dented if a solid object is dropped on it.

Some manufacturers are even getting more adventurous with their LVT products by offering designs that don't try to mimic the look of a specific material. These more creative designs can offer a unique personality to a space and are a great alternative to the countless wood-look planks currently available on the market.

Conclusion

Armstrong is a great example of a manufacturer that has embraced this new trend with its "Distinctive" line, which offers a number of options that are quite distinctive in their look and performance. Other well-known brands that carry these more adventurous LVT Flooring products include Mannington with their Adura and Distinctive lines.