If you’ve looked into hardflooring for your home in the recent past I can almost guarantee that you have come across the term LVT. But what does it mean? And more importantly why is it proving to be such a popular option in the home?
LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tiles and is generally how all luxury vinyl flooring is referred to. There are LVTs that look like traditional tiles, and there are those that mimic wooden planks, but all fall under the banner of LVTs. You will probably have heard of the brands Karndean and Amtico, who were two of the first big players in the marketplace. However, there are now many other suppliers offering LVTs, widening the choice and availability for us all.
The main reason people are falling in love with LVT is its durability, but its other benefits include:
- Ease of maintenance
- Vast range of designs
- Realistic looks
- Waterproof
- Versitility
- Suitable for use with underfloor heating
Some people hear the word “vinyl” and think of sheet vinyl (lino), however LVT is a very different product. It is so much tougher than lino and was first used in commercial buildings due to its durability. It does not come on a roll but in boxes of tiles or planks which are engineered for strength, durability and insulation. LVT is made up of several layers, with each layer having a role and function:
- Surface protection which makes it easy to clean
- Wear layer which is extremely durable and protects the design beneath
- Printed layer with the high-resolution design of the tile
- Stability layer which provides the strength of the tile
- Backing layer which allows the tile to bond with the adhesive to your subfloor.
And I haven’t even talked about the laying designs that are possible for LVT tiles. I think that is a whole other blog post, but here are a view looks that we love.
A 45-degree laying pattern, with boarder.
An intricate Victorian design, with complementary boarder.
A parquet plank, laid in a herringbone pattern.
