Plank / Luxury vinyl plank
Luxury vinyl plank, often shortened to LVP, is the floor most families ask us about. It looks like wood, it is softer and quieter underfoot than tile, and it shrugs off the salt and grit that come in on winter boots. It also suits open floor plans, where one plank can run from the entry through the kitchen and living room without a single threshold.
The plank itself is the easy part. What decides how an LVP floor looks a year later is the base under it. Click planks float, so a dip in the subfloor turns into a seam that flexes and slowly opens. We check every room with a long straightedge and fill or grind until the floor is flat within the tolerance the plank maker asks for.
How the work goes
Measure and plan
We measure each room, note where the planks will run and pick a starting wall so the last row is not a thin sliver.
Prepare the base
Old flooring comes up, the base is swept, and leveling compound goes into the low spots. Underlayment goes down if the plank needs it.
Lay the floor
Rows click together with joints staggered at random lengths, so no pattern of seams lines up across the room.
Finish the edges
Baseboard or quarter round goes back on, thresholds are set at doorways and the room is vacuumed.
Where vinyl plank fits
Kitchens and dining areas are the most common rooms, because spills wipe up quickly and dropped dishes are less likely to break than on tile. Halls and entries benefit from how quiet it is. Living rooms and bedrooms get the warm look of wood without the upkeep of a finish.
In split level and two story homes, LVP is also a good match for stairs. Most plank lines have stair nosing in the same color, so the floor can run from the main level down the steps without a change in tone.
Choosing a plank
Look at the wear layer, the plank thickness and the look of the edges. A thicker wear layer handles pets and chairs better. A beveled edge shows each plank, a square edge looks more like one surface. Longer and wider planks make a room look calm.
Bring a few samples home and look at them in morning and evening light. Winter daylight here is cool and low, and a plank that looks warm in a store can read grey on a January afternoon. We are happy to look at samples with you during the visit.
Living with it
Sweep or vacuum without a beater bar and use a damp, well wrung mop with a pH neutral cleaner. Put felt pads under chairs and soft casters on desk chairs. Avoid rubber backed rugs, which can mark some vinyl floors over time.
Questions about luxury vinyl plank
Can vinyl plank go over tile?
Often yes, if the tile is solid and the grout lines are filled so they do not telegraph through. We check the old tile for loose pieces first.
Do the planks need to rest in the house?
Most makers ask for a day or two in the room so the planks match the indoor air. We plan delivery around that.
Is vinyl plank fine with dogs?
It handles claws and accidents well compared with wood. A thicker wear layer helps, and trimmed nails help most of all.
Will you move our furniture?
We move the larger pieces as part of the job. Please box up small items and clear closets in the rooms getting the new floor.
