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The best vinyl plank flooring brands are popular for a variety of reasons, but each brand produces durable, reliable flooring products that meet the needs of their respective markets. Read on to learn more about flooring brands to decide which is most suitable for your next flooring project. Replacing an old floor or installing a new floor in a home is a time-consuming process that can go wrong if you aren’t measuring the space properly, cutting the tiles or planks accurately, or laying the pieces according to the planned layout. However, the type of vinyl plank flooring also can affect the final appearance and functionality of the floor, so it’s important to do your research ahead of time to learn about the best vinyl plank flooring brands. If you are planning to purchase rigid core luxury vinyl planks then Armstrong can help there too.
Compared to materials like hardwood or stone, vinyl flooring has a “softer” and more “padded” feeling underfoot, thanks to its layered composition. These layers also insulate and help the floor maintain a consistent temperature no matter the season. Vinyl can also have soundproofing qualities, which serve to reduce both noise and echo in any room. Even if you’ve looked through all the vinyl plank flooring reviews you can find, you still have questions.
DIY Installation
Few tools are required and, with a little care, even those with only modest DIY skills can achieve a professional finish. Although rigid-core vinyl plank flooring is relatively forgiving and can hide minor imperfections in the subfloor, those imperfections can become more obvious with flexible, glue-down LVP. In any case, it’s a good idea to make the subfloor as smooth and level as possible at the outset.
If you want to install luxury vinyl plank flooring in your home then be sure to read right to the end. While some people suggest using a steam mop on a low setting for cleaning vinyl plank floors—particularly some SPC products—it is not recommended. In fact, some manufacturer warranties specifically say you should not steam-mop your vinyl plank flooring. Steam can eventually penetrate between the planks and get beneath the surface, possibly weakening the glue and causing swelling or warping. Generally, you should use a vacuum or a flat mop that is moist, rather than soaked with water, but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. With WPC flooring, a thinner plank may be perfectly acceptable in areas of low traffic, whereas a thicker flexible luxury vinyl plank is probably desirable in lounge or other high-traffic areas.
What to Consider When Choosing Best Vinyl Plank Flooring
Makes great vinyl plank flooring, but the high price tag might not be worth it for many buyers—especially with equally good products available from other brands. The range isn’t huge, but LifeProof does come in three different thicknesses and comes in both wood-look and stone-look styles. Lightweight and durable with an easy interlocking installation system, Lifeproof vinyl is readily available and a good product to consider as you start your research. For further information, read our in-depthLifeProof Vinyl Flooring report. For now here is our breakdown of the most popular and well known luxury vinyl flooring manufacturers. We’ve already touched on some of the advantages of luxury vinyl flooring but here is a simple and straightforward breakdown of the pros and cons.
And it won’t necessarily add long-term value to your home like actual hardwood or tile, so if you’re planning on selling or moving soon, don’t expect to make back your investment. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skip—especially at its price point. Proximity Mills offers both rigid-core and flexible-core options, depending on the product. Many negative LifeProof reviews mention its lack of scratch resistance. With wear layers starting at just 6.5 mils , it’s easy to see why. It has to be said that luxury vinyl tile has earned a bad reputation with regards to the environment.
Forbo Flooring Systems
This is an important consideration in terms of appearance and one that some people struggle to visualize. If there aren’t planks of the appropriate width for reference nearby, it may be worth cutting a couple of mock-up planks. Numerous appearance options are available, along with a variety of colors and patterns that complement any decor scheme. Because of its durability and performance, as well as its ease of cleaning, this material is ideal for households with busy schedules. If you are looking for a waterproof and durable flooring that is comfortable to walk on, easy to install and requires little maintenance, then vinyl flooring may be for you. However, vinyl flooring is not the longest-lasting, best-looking, best-feeling nor most eco-friendly option out there, so if any of these points are important to you, consider looking elsewhere.
It doesn’t need to be glued; it will be held in place by the vinyl planks. Don’t add further strips until you’ve nearly covered it with planks. Decide which direction you want the vinyl planks to go; usually this is along the length of the room rather than the width. The click-lock edges are on the right, so you need to work from the left. The patent-pending “Hydrocore” is an SPC composite that is totally inert and thus unaffected by water.
If this is a concern for you, we recommend avoiding high-VOC vinyl flooring and choosing a low-VOC floor instead. Currently, Pergo is owned and operated by Mohawk Industries, Inc., which purchased the smaller company in 2013. However, the Pergo brand began in 1977 when the Swedish company Perstorp invented laminate flooring and sold it under the Pergo brand name. The laminate flooring products were initially sold only in Sweden, but in 1984 this new product was introduced to the European market. Founded under the name Continentale Linoleum Union in 1928 due to the merger of three linoleum manufacturers in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, the company grew quickly, changing its name in 1973 to Forbo. It continued to diversify the interests of the company, eventually branching out into linoleum, vinyl, synthetic belts, and adhesives in 2000.
This means COREtec Plus is also a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, and it can be installed above, on, or below grade. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Cali Bamboo was founded in 2004 and has grown substantially. If you’re looking for the best cost-to-value ratio, Proximity Mills is an excellent choice. COREtec products range between $5–$10/per square foot and up, making it one of the most expensive LVP options around.
When looking for high-quality vinyl flooring, check the warranties and thickness of the wear layer. A thick wear layer will mean that your floors last longer and a solid warranty will save you money in the event of damage. The better both of these specifications are, the more you can expect to pay. Thankfully, as vinyl planks popularity increases, more and more manufacturers are now offering luxury vinyl tile moldings and edgings to complement the tiles, so that you can create a flawless finish to your flooring project. It depends on the type, so it’s important to check the specifications carefully. Some options are described as water resistant, which is fine in areas where occasional spills are soon cleaned up.
The entire order should carry the same batch number, or there is a risk of minor color differences. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
COREtec’s polyurethane + quartz crystal wear layers are exceptionally durable. All Proximity Mills products feature an ultra-durable, ceramic bead-infused wear layer. Thickness varies between 12 and 22 mils, depending on the collection.
Armed with the knowledge provided above, it’s now time to look at some of the best vinyl plank flooring currently available. Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs . Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.