Why Luxury Vinyl Plank is Revolutionizing Long Island Homes in 2024: The Ultimate Flooring Upgrade
When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring for your Long Island home, the vinyl flooring market has undergone a dramatic transformation. Two incredibly popular materials stand out for their blend of beauty, function, and cost-effectiveness: luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and traditional vinyl flooring, with luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) quickly gaining popularity as one of the superior flooring options, offering enhanced durability, style, and performance.
Understanding the Core Differences: Construction and Thickness
The most significant difference between luxury vinyl plank and traditional vinyl lies in their construction. Luxury vinyl is about 5 times as thick! Most traditional vinyl floors are about 1mm thick. Luxury vinyl floors come in approximately 5mm tiles. These products are much thicker (5mm up to 12mm) than traditional sheet vinyl floors (2mm) and can usually be installed over existing floors where sheet vinyl would most likely need a new subfloor.
The differences include coming in tiles or thick planks that are 2 to 8 mm thick. At the same time, more parts come into play when manufacturers make luxury vinyl flooring. Each tile or plank features at least six layers of material, including: A Clear Coat Layer to express an extra shine or additional protective properties.
Superior Water Resistance and Durability
Both flooring types offer water resistance, but with important distinctions. All vinyl flooring is resistant to water since it is waterproof. Luxury vinyl has seams between tiles or planks and so it is possible for water (though exceeding rare when installed by a professional) to seep through, giving standard sheet vinyl a very narrow edge over luxury vinyl for total water resistance.
One of LVP’s greatest strengths is its waterproof nature. Its vinyl construction makes it impermeable to water and most liquids, making it resistant to moisture damage and staining. One of the standout features of vinyl flooring is its water resistance. This makes it ideal for moisture-prone areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. With vinyl, you won’t have to worry about water damage compromising the integrity of your floors.
Aesthetic Appeal and Realism
Luxury vinyl plank is a more accurate imitation of a true hardwood look. Luxury vinyl tile is typically more accurate in simulating ceramic or stone tiles because of its limestone core and textured feel as opposed to smooth laying standard vinyl. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are usually designed to simulate the look of wood, as is most laminate flooring, while luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are usually designed to simulate stone or ceramic tiles. The newest forms of luxury vinyl are amazing and both look and feel like wood or stone.
The thickness of luxury vinyl is what gives it much more realistic “wood plank” or “ceramic tile” feel and appearance. Luxury vinyl floors are often sold either as planks or as tiles. They use an embossing process and a better picture quality to look less artificial and more like a natural stone or hardwood floor.
Long-Term Value and Lifespan
The investment in luxury vinyl plank pays dividends over time. Standard vinyl flooring is expected to last about 10 years with higher quality brands lasting as long as 15 years. Luxury vinyl is more durable and generally advertised as lasting up to 25 years when well maintained. Depending on the thickness of the wear layer and the foot traffic, luxury vinyl flooring will last from 10 to over 20 years.
Standard sheet vinyl flooring is usually seen as a bargain flooring material, and it does nothing to improve real estate value. Luxury vinyl planks or tiles will almost always carry more resale value than standard vinyl flooring.
Installation and Maintenance Benefits
Luxury vinyl flooring is sold in semi-rigid planks (LVP) or tiles (LVT) and is installed using the same click-lock interlocking edges that are found in laminate flooring. Luxury vinyl is maybe the easiest floor to install. I often recommend it as a first DIY flooring project for new homeowners.
For Long Island homeowners seeking professional installation, companies like Bob McGowan’s vinyl flooring head of the harbor service provide expert craftsmanship. Bob McGowan’s hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring contractor company in Suffolk County is dedicated to giving you the finest results in hardwood flooring, refinishing, installing, remaking, remodeling and so much more. As a flooring company with a satisfaction rate of above 95%, you can expect to get above-reproach service from McGowan.
Comfort and Performance Features
Luxury Vinyl feels softer underfoot and has better sound-blocking properties than standard vinyl flooring. This is especially true of luxury vinyl with cork or foam underlay layers built into the product. Vinyl flooring is known for absorbing impacts without denting or cracking. Whether you have active kids, pets, or heavy furniture, vinyl can handle the demands of a busy household.
Cost Considerations for 2024
Laminate: Prices range from $1 per square foot to $5 per square foot. Vinyl: Prices range from $1 to $5 per square foot. While the initial investment may be similar, Laminate flooring is generally more affordable than vinyl upfront. However, vinyl’s superior durability can translate to long-term cost savings.
Making the Right Choice for Your Long Island Home
For Long Island homeowners in 2024, luxury vinyl plank represents a significant upgrade over traditional vinyl flooring. Investing in durable vinyl flooring is a smart choice for any homeowner. With its impressive resistance to scratches, stains, water, and impacts, vinyl flooring offers longevity and ease of maintenance.
Whether you’re renovating a kitchen in Nassau County or updating a basement in Suffolk County, luxury vinyl plank offers the perfect combination of beauty, durability, and practicality that today’s homeowners demand. By the end of our exceptional Long Island hardwood flooring service, your home will be transformed into a beautiful, warm and stylish sanctuary you will be proud to show off.
The choice between luxury vinyl plank and traditional vinyl is clear: LVP delivers superior performance, aesthetics, and long-term value that makes it the smart flooring investment for 2024 and beyond.