Article by Fennel Street Flooring
Offering many of the same benefits, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl are two different types of flooring. Ideal for many areas of a busy modern home, read on to learn all you need to know when buying LVT or vinyl flooring.
What is LVT?
Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is designed to look and feel like wood or stone. As well as replicating the colours and patterns of these natural materials, LVT also has a textured surface that mimics the feel of wood grain or worn stone. This allows you to enjoy the luxurious style of a natural flooring material, alongside all the low-maintenance benefits of vinyl.
What is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is low-maintenance, water-resistant, and long-lasting. Often it is an affordable option for updating a room and is typically cheaper than LVT. It provides a firm surface but also has a slight spring, providing comfort underfoot.
Types of Vinyl
While vinyl flooring and LVT are both made of durable vinyl, these flooring options are fitted in different ways.
Vinyl sheet flooring comes on a roll and is cut to size, similar to a roll of fabric. It is the cheapest option and because the flooring is in one continuous sheet, it is highly resistant to water. Vinyl plank flooring, meanwhile, comes in strips which are printed to look like wooden floorboards. It is usually installed with a tongue and groove system.
Types of LVT
There are two types of LVT flooring. One has a click mechanism which allows the tiles or planks to be clicked together. The other is dry back or stick-down floor, which means the planks or tiles are glued to a sub floor. Stick down LVT works well in areas that experience high temperatures or variations in temperature, like conservatories. Meanwhile, click LVT is quicker to install and can be laid on different types of sub floor.
Which Room?
LVT and vinyl flooring work well in any area of the home. Unlike natural wood and stone that isn’t suitable for some rooms, LVT and vinyl can be used in any room, including kitchens and bathrooms thanks to its easy-to-clean, water-resistant surface. This means you can get the look of wooden floorboards or stone tiles, without needing to worry about maintenance.
Conservatories and hallways are another good candidate for LVT and vinyl, as any muddy paw prints or footprints can be easily wiped away.
Which Style?
One of the main benefits of LVT and vinyl is that these flooring types are available in a wide assortment of styles. Whatever your decor or design scheme, you will find a product to match, from classic oak-effect planks to contemporary stone-style flooring.
Which Colour?
From timeless neutral tones to bold colours that make a statement, LVT and vinyl come in a variety of shades to suit every room. The best way to explore colour options is to visit your local flooring shop, where you can see samples in a selection of colours.
Care & Maintenance
Another reason LVT and vinyl flooring is so popular is that these materials are easy to care for, requiring very little maintenance. Any spills can be easily wiped away with a damp cloth and the durable surface means scuffs and scrapes won’t be a problem. As a water-resistant flooring option, even in the busiest bathroom or laundry room your flooring will remain in top condition.
Visit Fennel Street Flooring
Pay a visit to Fennel Street Flooring to discover our range of LVT and vinyl flooring. Our team will be on hand with product tips and recommendations for your room and budget, so come along to our flooring shop in Loughborough for more inspiration.
