If you’re looking for a vinyl flooring option with even more durability and style, consider using luxury vinyl plank. These planks or tiles are constructed in a series of layers that each play an important role in increasing the longevity and durability of your flooring.
Layers of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Polyurethane coating—for improved durability
- Protective clear layer—for wear and scratch resistance
- Printed layer—for the chosen design
- Vinyl core
- Vinyl backing
The high vinyl content of these luxury planks improves the durability of the floor over time. There are two common options to consider when choosing your new luxury vinyl flooring. The first contains a high proportion of post-consumer recycled content in the core and backing. The second contains only virgin or non-recycled vinyl. Recycled content vinyl is most likely to wear out and break down quicker than the virgin or non-recycled vinyl. Also, non-recycled vinyl is more resilient and durable underfoot because it’s less prone to shrinking or rippling than recycled vinyl.
Consider both options before you make your decision. We support the use of eco-friendly flooring options and believe that the recycled version is a smart choice when installed correctly. However, if you’d like to get the longest lasting option, the non-recycled version may be right for you.
Protective Top LayerAll luxury vinyl flooring plank has a transparent wear layer on top of the printed design layer to protect it. This layer is also used to help determine the vinyl’s longevity. While there is no particular standard of thickness to measure the wear layers of luxury vinyl tiles, generally the thicker the wear layer is, the longer the luxury vinyl will last.
MaintenanceBy taking care of your flooring, you can maximize the lifetime of your luxury vinyl plank. This will help protect the surface from damage caused by foot traffic, scuffs, and scratches.
Fortunately, the protective wear layer present in most luxury vinyl plank doesn’t require as much additional maintenance as other flooring products. All you really need to do is stay current with the sweeping and mopping.