Pros and Cons of LVP
It all begins with an idea.
Let’s start with what LVP is! LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank, It is most commonly a composite material that looks like wood planks. There is a vast range of sizes and thicknesses for LVP, some have an underlayment for sound proofing to sound solid as you step on it. Most click together as they are installed. LVP took to the flooring market fairly recently, as most construction materials take to the market there is hiccups in training for installers and on the material itself. The largest defect we have seen in this material is buckling mainly due to a lack moisture barriers not being installed under the material. Although most LVP’s now require some type of moisture barrier under them, that was due to trial and error in many people’s homes.
Pros:
LVP is one of the Value friendly options to revamp your house when considering labor and material costs.
LVP can be durable up against dogs, other animals, children, and families of all sizes.
You get the wood look at price point that is less likely to break the bank compared to real hardwood.
The price to install LVP tends to be cheaper than other flooring solutions.
Prep work to your floor can also be less significant.
The variety of colors and sizes is extensive.
Cons:
The biggest con to LVP in my opinion is the lack of research in the real world although it has been on the market for a while now, compared to other flooring solutions like tile and hardwood it is young in the industry.
Buckling: if installed incorrectly or using the wrong LVP for the situation it can lead to buckling at the seams. We have seen this mostly due to a lack of a moisture barrier, but can also occur when the planks are hit in too hard leading to the tongue or groove breaking on the planks. This is why it is usually a good idea to have a professional that has worked with many of these products do the job.