How Long Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring Last
When choosing flooring for any home, there are a few alternatives as alluring as luxury vinyl flooring. It is vibrant, easy to clean, and you can let the pets or children play around without any worry about their health, or scratching the floor. Another bonus feature is that the flooring can look similar to wood without actually involving any wood.
However, many people remain skeptical about how long vinyl flooring lasts. If you’re one of them, then you are at the right place. So, let’s dive right in and observe the lifespan of luxury vinyl flooring. You’ll also learn what factors affect its durability and the convenient methods you can adopt to extend its usage. Mainly, we’ll focus on luxury vinyl flooring since that is one of the most premium products and the perfect choice for many homeowners and estate developers looking for durable floors.
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How Long Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring Last on Average?
Luxury vinyl flooring consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tiles or planks. It uses a unique adhesive to join its various layers together. Frequently, manufacturers add a structural layer for increased stability and dent resistance, and a wear layer coating to prevent scratching, scuffing and water damage.
Therefore, luxury vinyl is one of the most long-lasting materials for flooring that you can get at a reasonable price. On average, it can last from 10 to 20 years, with some manufacturers offering warranties up to 25 years. The life span of vinyl floors depends on many factors that we’ll cover later in this article.
Luxury vinyl flooring can be of the following types. While the basic product design may differ, the durability and maintenance requirements are pretty much the same.
Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)
These are the most common form of vinyl flooring. It contains multiple PVC layers merged together and can be as thick as 35 millimeters. These planks are cut to replicate wood and come in a variety of lengths and widths.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Luxury vinyl tiles are manufactured using the same materials and process as vinyl planks, but they are cut into tiles to represent stone, ceramic or porcelain tile floors. If you desire a tiled floor look without the risk of heavy furniture or appliances cracking or chipping them, LVT is the way to go.
Factors That Influence the Longevity of Vinyl Flooring
If you want to understand how long LVT floors last, you should carefully take note of the factors that affect their life cycle. Some of the most critical ones include the following.
Sub-Floor Conditions/Preparation
Most LVTs and LVPs come with a thin pad underlayment that acts as an additional layer to protect the subfloor beneath. However, it is recommended not to install luxury vinyl flooring on a base that is damaged or contains cracks. LVTs are highly flexible and may mask a few minor imperfections in the concrete or tiles below it. But more significant damage or imperfections will show through vinyl, so proper leveling and repair of the subfloor will maximize the lifespan of the flooring.
Composite Core
As luxury vinyl flooring consists of synthetic materials, multiple options are available for the core materials. The two dominant types of flooring are SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). SPC has a rigid core made from calcium carbonate, while WPC utilizes recycled wood. The appropriate selection can massively increase the lifespan depending on the weather conditions and usage around your home.
Wear Layer
LVTs contain a wear layer to protect the PVC underneath and enhance the lifetime of the flooring. Most wear layers vary between 4 and 40 mils. The higher the number, the longer lifetime one can expect out of the flooring. While the lifetime of a product has many other factors typically, 1 mil of wear layer can last 1 year with proper installation and maintenance.
Placement of Flooring
Depending on where you apply it, you might see more wear in your LVTs. For instance, if you have flooring with a 4mil wear layer, it’s likely to wear out faster, and if you place this floor in a heavy traffic area it will have a relatively short lifespan. It’s best to consult a professional before deciding on the type of vinyl flooring you’re going to install.
Cleaning Schedule and Cleaning Solutions
While the cleaning schedule highly depends upon where you live and how often you receive guests, it helps to clean the floor once per week. Regardless of the quality of the vinyl, dust and dirt can ruin any finish. Sure, the flooring can resist it for a while, but leaving any spots unchecked may require you to replace the flooring much sooner.
It is best to use a damp mop dipped in a solution of hot water and dishwasher soap for light cleaning. In case you run into persistent stains, a cleaning product from Georgia Carpet Warehouse can do wonders.
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Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Luxury Vinyl Floors
Luxury vinyl flooring is a long-lasting solution, and you can certainly apply a few preventative measures to extend its lifespan further. In addition to purchasing only high-quality flooring components, it helps to follow a few tips to extend how long your LVT floors last.
Don’t Drag Items Across the Floor
Since the weight exerted on luxury vinyl flooring can damage the flooring, it is best not to move heavy items by dragging them. You should use furniture pads and get some extra hands to lift them off the ground if you are going to move heavy furniture.
Add Rugs to Areas with High Foot Traffic
In high foot traffic areas such as your front door, hallways and living room, area rugs will protect your floor from excessive wear.
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Use the Right Cleaner
It would be best to use a pH-neutral solution to clean any LVTs around your house. It pays to sweep high-traffic areas on a daily basis. The cleaning solutions should be used for deep cleaning when things get really dirty, and you have to bring the mop out.
Make Sure It’s Installed Correctly
Many people are tempted to go for the discounted installation services, even going so far as doing the entire floor themselves over a long weekend. However, that few hundred dollars saved could turn into a bad situation and sadly end up costing more to fix issues from a bad installation. We’ve seen this happen time and time again. Thus, it pays to hire a reliable installation service.
FAQs About Luxury Vinyl Floors
It depends on the flooring you have and how well you maintain it. There is no specific duration as to when you replace vinyl flooring. However, you should check for signs of damage on a yearly basis. Bloated planks, irregular cut marks, and fading of color are a few telltale signs that it is time to replace the flooring.
A high-quality luxury vinyl, when compared to hardwood, holds up much better. Thanks to the manufacturing process and durability, you can see 10-20 years, if not more, in the lifespan of your vinyl floor. Of course, you can only achieve that through proper installation and maintenance.
It depends on the quality and the type of flooring in question. It won’t if you’re planning to replace worn-out flooring with high-quality vinyl floors. The color and aesthetics factor in as well; damaged and faded vinyl flooring is not desirable, new looking floors will only enhance the value of your home.
There are many factors to consider with this question. Typically, high-quality vinyl flooring will outperform low-quality laminate and vice versa. High-quality laminate flooring has very comparable lifespans. There are other factors you’ll want to cover with us before making the official decision. For example, laminates contain a wooden core leaving them more vulnerable to moisture and dirt.
You need to look for a few signs to determine how long your LVT flooring will last. A few hints include:
- Gaps in the planks/tiles/panels
- Bulging of the floor at specific locations
- Discoloration or fading
- Wear layer cracks that protrude from the floor
- Deep cracks or scratches
Do You Want Your Luxury Vinyl Flooring to Last for Decades?
If you’re looking for the best luxury vinyl flooring services in Charlotte, NC, then look no further! Georgia Carpet Warehouse can make your vision for the ideal home come true in no time. We have experts that will guide you through every step of the process, from selecting the suitable variant to installing and sharing options for maintenance supplies. Our online catalog has a varied collection of both traditional and modern designs, and we can deliver professional services for competitive prices.
So, why wait? Browse our products or contact us to make your dream home a reality today!