Luxury vinyl
flooring (LVF), a true-to-life echo of wood, stone, or tile, is cut in planks
of square-groutable tile-sized pieces. Vinyl plank flooring (or LVP) is meant
to echo hardwood boards, while the squares, called LVT flooring, impersonate
stone or tile. These floors are stylish, waterproof, durable, and easy to
maintain and install.
Wood floors
are trending and expected to last for at least 15 years. Sometimes, however,
it’s impossible to install wood because of moisture issues, such as in the
bath, considered the wettest room in the house. You can still have the elegance
of a wood-look by installing LVP.
This vinyl
version is a premium product, so realistic that flooring experts have
difficulty telling it from genuine materials. The images are taken with 3D
photography, showing knots, raised grains, wormholes, swirls, veining
variations, and vibrant colors and patterns. Species looks are almost unlimited,
but some of the most popular ones are oak, hickory, walnut, maple, and cherry.
The floors
also have features such as micro beveling and embossing to add depth and
dimension. Another popular trend,
texturing, is available with looks such as wire-brushed, hand scraped,
weathered, or antiqued. Colors come in matte, gloss, or high gloss finishes.
You are not
limited to wood, however. Stone looks, such as marble, are also popular,
especially in the bath, where many turn that room into a serene, spa-like
atmosphere. Granite, slate, terrazzo, limestone, or quartz give any room an
atmosphere of luxury and sophistication. Tiles come in fun colors and graphics,
and textured-like surfaces such as pebbles or beach sand look. Whatever form it
takes, all LVF has the same design and functional characteristics.