Essential Guide: How to Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring

By Ted cook
Blog
Sep 24, 2024

Figuring out how to select the right type of rigid vinyl flooring for your home can feel overwhelming. So many options, styles, and technical terms. This guide cuts through the noise, giving you practical advice and real-world insights to confidently pick the perfect rigid vinyl flooring.

We'll walk you through everything—from understanding what really matters to nailing the right visual and feel for your home. But before you jump into samples, it's crucial to start with the basics. Understanding these factors makes deciding what you want easier and ultimately guides your decision.

Vinyl Plank Flooring Explained

Before we talk about how to select a rigid vinyl floor, let's answer a basic question—what is it, exactly? Think of a rigid vinyl floor as the cool, practical sibling of traditional hardwood flooring. It's designed to mimic the appearance of wood but with several key advantages.

Imagine beautiful oak, maple, or even weathered barnwood—all recreated in a water-resistant, highly durable material. That's the beauty of vinyl flooring.

Advantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Knowing why people select vinyl flooring helps you understand why it might be the right way for you to go in your application. Here are some key benefits of rigid vinyl flooring over other flooring options:

Durability: Compared to hardwood, vinyl planks stand up better to everyday wear and tear like scratches, scuffs, and dents—a lifesaver for busy homes with kids or pets. It's perfect for types of applications with high foot traffic because it's designed to handle a lot of action without showing wear and tear quickly. Think kitchens, hallways, mudrooms.
Water Resistance: Unlike hardwood, vinyl flooring shrugs off spills and splashes without complaint. That makes it ideal for spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Because it's virtually impervious to water, you don't need to worry about it warping or getting damaged.
Easy Maintenance: Forget about sanding and refinishing. Rigid vinyl floors are remarkably low-maintenance. It often just takes a simple sweep or mop with a gentle cleaner—making life a whole lot easier, especially for people with allergies or those who want hassle-free cleaning routines. Most messes wipe up easily, and regular sweeping is enough to keep them looking great.
Affordability: Vinyl flooring usually costs less than solid hardwood, giving you that coveted wood look without breaking the bank.
Easy Installation: You'll find planks designed for easy DIY installation.

Considerations for Choosing Vinyl Plank

Now, let’s dig into a few good reasons to shop vinyl flooring. There are various things to think about. Remember, it's about balancing looks, practicality, and budget.

Understanding Wear Layer Ratings: What They Mean for You

First, look into something called a wear layer and the "wear layer thickness." Imagine it as a shield protecting your flooring's beautiful design. This transparent layer on top is key to how well your floor resists those everyday scratches, scuffs, and spills.

Choosing a thicker wear layer when comparing rigid vinyl flooring matters more if you have a house full of rambunctious kids and playful pets. On the other hand, a thinner wear layer could be perfectly fine for quieter spaces. You'll find planks with wear layers ranging from 6 mil (thinnest) to 28 mil (thickest).

To get a better understanding of this, use the information below. This table explains each wear layer thickness, so you'll have all the information to understand what you need to search for in different living environments in your home:

Wear Layer Thickness	Ideal for	Key Features
6-8 mil	Low-traffic areas (bedrooms, guest rooms)	Most affordable option. Offers basic protection against everyday wear.
12-16 mil	Moderate-traffic areas (living rooms, dining rooms), homes with kids or pets	Good balance of affordability and durability. Handles everyday wear with a thicker protective layer.
20-28 mil	High-traffic areas (kitchens, entryways, hallways), homes with large families or active lifestyles, commercial spaces	Most durable option for withstanding heavy foot traffic and impacts. Offers the most protection for high-traffic flooring.

How to Choose Based on Foot Traffic

Choosing flooring that can keep up with you means being realistic about your home's daily chaos. Busy households with kids and furry friends need durable flooring. Consider planks with a wear layer of at least 20 mil for residential spaces—like kitchens or entryways.

If your house is more of a zen retreat, a lower wear layer might be enough. Consider thicker vinyl in high-traffic spots for extra resilience. These planks waterproof nature makes them great for any home.

The Feel-Good Factor: Exploring Core Constructions

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring has different core materials:

WPC: Provides more cushioning underfoot, which is especially great in areas where you're often standing. Imagine how nice that would feel in your kitchen.
SPC: Provides superior stability and resistance to dents and impacts. They're also incredibly water-resistant, making them a smart choice for kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms—especially if spills are a common occurrence in your home.

SPC cores have exceptional dimensional stability, meaning they hold their shape better against temperature fluctuations. That's ideal for rooms with big windows or spaces prone to direct sunlight—think sunrooms or spaces exposed to extreme temperature changes. This is especially useful for laminate flooring, as the core can be susceptible to damage when exposed to extreme temperatures.

Choosing the Right Installation:

LVP floors usually come with two common installation methods. You can use a click-lock or glue-down system. Click-lock planks connect seamlessly, fitting snugly together like puzzle pieces.

That's awesome for DIY installations because it often doesn’t even require glue or nails, making your life a lot easier if you're all about tackling projects yourself. Just remember that while floating floors offer convenience, glue-down installations tend to provide a stronger, more permanent bond.

Luxury Vinyl Planks: Design Ideas

Now the fun part—lets make your home look amazing!

Luxury Vinyl Styles: What Vibe Are You Going For?

Luxury vinyl flooring offers almost endless styles. They recreate the visual of real distressed hardwood with incredible accuracy, down to the grains, knots, and textures. Think classic oak, elegant maple, rustic hickory, even distressed or weathered finishes—all meticulously captured. Consider wide planks for large areas; they can give a luxurious look. For compact spaces, standard planks tend to work well.

If you’re wondering how to select vinyl flooring for design, light colors create a spacious feel, darker ones bring warmth. Balance is key: If your space is already bright and airy, slightly darker planks can ground the room and vice versa.

Water-Resistant Options:

This is where vinyl flooring truly shines, offering stylish waterproof options without sacrificing design. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that splashes or accidents won't ruin your beautiful floors—perfect for households with kids, pets, or anyone prone to spills. LVP buying guides often have information regarding a product's waterproof capabilities.

How to Choose: Factors That Make a Big Difference

Pay attention to these details:

Texturing and Embossing: This replicates wood's natural textures. Some vinyl has registered embossing that follows the grain pattern for an ultra-realistic feel, while others might have a smoother surface. Running your hand over the sample planks gives you a good sense of these textures and helps you decide what feels best. Think about whether you prefer a subtle wood-like texture or a completely smooth surface. Embossing is also one of the tools that can hide wear in your flooring in the future.
Edge Treatments: Look closely at the vinyl planks' edges. Micro-beveled edges add definition between vinyl planks. They create a more traditional wood flooring look, emphasizing each piece. Square edges offer a sleek and seamless look, perfect for more contemporary interiors. They create a smooth and continuous surface, perfect for modern or minimalist aesthetics.

FAQs about How to Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring

What Thickness of Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Best?

The ideal flooring thickness varies depending on traffic and subfloor quality. But, a good rule of thumb for most applications is aiming for a total flooring thickness between 4mm and 6mm, including the wear layer and core. That provides good durability without being overly thick or expensive. But, in high-traffic areas, a thicker 8mm or higher might be more fitting, offering greater stability and dent resistance. Be sure to look at layer ratings to know how thick the wear layer is.

How to Pick the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Focus on finding a balance between: wear layer thickness (higher numbers generally mean better protection); core construction (WPC is comfortable, SPC is sturdier); realistic design to match your aesthetic. It's a bit like picking out ingredients for a recipe; it's about understanding each element's purpose.

What to Consider When Buying Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Measure your space, determine your budget, and be realistic about lifestyle needs (pets, kids). Consider foot traffic and wear. Do you want DIY click-lock or a sturdier glued vinyl floor installation? Do research into warranties and explore different brand reputations for long-lasting peace of mind. Also, when thinking about the installation cost, consider the cost of the underlayment if one is needed. Also, consider if you want vinyl planks everywhere or if the vinyl tiles would be better somewhere.

How to Tell if LVP Is Good Quality?

Focus on details. High-quality LVP flooring feels sturdy, with a realistic embossed texture. It has a solid, substantial core that doesn't feel flimsy, clear visuals, and reliable click systems that snap tightly. Look for established brands with solid customer reviews—remember, online forums and home improvement communities are your friends. You can find valuable information, comparisons, and insights from other customers that can make your life a whole lot easier.

Conclusion

We’ve talked about how to choose vinyl plank flooring that is durable, water-resistant, and perfect for various parts of your home. Just remember that shopping for a good vinyl plank floor starts with arming yourself with the right knowledge. By following the simple tips in this guide, you’ll transform those vinyl aisle trips. By focusing on details like the wear layer, core, and style, you’re making one of those decisions that you'll be thrilled with for years.