Vinyl plank floors are an easy, affordable way to update any room in your home or business. As with any flooring product, there are pros and cons when it comes to vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is different from traditional vinyl flooring, as these planks are often around 36” x 6”. With planks this size, you are able to recreate a beautiful wood look for well below the cost of hardwood flooring. Keep scrolling to learn more about the pros and cons of vinyl plank floors!
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Plank Floors
|
Pros |
Cons |
| 100% Waterproof | Difficult to remove if glued down |
| Commercial Grade Wear Layer | Can be punctured with very sharp objects |
| Fiberglass Reinforced | Does not have an authentic wood feel |
| Anti-static | Not biodegradable |
| Install over most subfloors | |
| DIY installation | |
| Natural wood look | |
| Low maintenance | |
| Affordable |
Do The Pros Outweigh The Cons?
The pros of owning vinyl plank flooring are numerous. The DIY enthusiast will embrace vinyl plank flooring, as the project is fairly simple. There is not a need for any expensive tools or expensive adhesives when it comes to installing vinyl plank flooring. Once you install vinyl plank flooring, you can walk on your newly installed floor. There is no glue to dry or settling to occur. There is glue down vinyl flooring available if you are looking for superior durability and moisture resistance.
Vinyl plank flooring offers the look of real wood, yet offers quiet and resilience that hardwood does not offer. Noise absorption is very noticeable when it comes to vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is also water resistant, and often water proof. For the household that experiences the occasional spill, vinyl plank flooring offers a win-win situation. Vinyl plank flooring will withstand the spills that traditional hardwood flooring will not.
Additionally, vinyl plank flooring offers so many different styles to choose from! The majority of vinyl plank flooring is a wood-look floor. However, like the flooring in the photo above, there are several stone looks as well!
But There Are Still Cons…
With every flooring, there will be things that are less desirable. The cons of vinyl plank flooring include the fact that the vinyl planks can dent under pressure. High traffic areas can show wear and scratches over time. Unlike real hardwood, vinyl plank flooring cannot be refinished. As with any type of vinyl, vinyl plank flooring can also rip under harsh pressure. For the consumer wanting the feel of hardwood under the foot, vinyl plank floors will feel like vinyl, not real hardwood, since there is no wood product in vinyl flooring.
Is Vinyl Flooring For Me?
That is for you to decide! For the consumer searching for an affordable, stunning looking floor; vinyl plank flooring offers a nice solution. It is also of the utmost importance that the instructions are followed when it comes to installing vinyl plank flooring. Most companies will not honor warranty requests when the flooring is not installed properly. If you are not a DIY project person, you may want to hire a professional to install your vinyl plank flooring. For the DIY project lover, vinyl plank flooring should be an easy project.
Vinyl plank flooring can be a good choice for the consumer searching for an affordable, durable floor that will look nice and withstand the wear and tear that can be tossed its way. As with any flooring purchase, educate yourself and know your limitations when it comes to the installation process. Know the pros and cons of vinyl plank floors before you install and you will appreciate the value of your new floor.
Have you installed vinyl plank flooring? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
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18 comments
I am wanting to use a peel and stick for 2 reasons. I found one I love the pattern and seems it would be easier to install ourselves. We wouldn’t have to remove baseboards and cut under the door jams or whatever you call it. I think we would need a saw ect. I would need to rent a 100 lb roller though for peel and stick! My biggest fear with peel and stick is the foot noise! Its pretty thin and an underlayment isn’t possible because it wont stick to that! We have wood subfloors and currently have laminate. Is that a common occurrence with laminate over wood? Its a rental and my daughter is moving in and the floors just feel hollow like a trailer. I thought of adding a cement board everywhere after ripping up laminate! Would that stop the foot noise? If I installed LVP click lock would that stop the foot noise? Do all of the LVP comes with the backing that absorbs sound?
Thanks for your question, Karen. Peel and stick flooring is not a bad option because of it’s super easy install. However, a click lock vinyl floor will provide more durability and can help with noise. Additionally, underlayment will help with the noise where a peel and stick will not. Here are some floors we would recommend.
I like that you mentioned how there is no need to use expensive tools or adhesives when it comes to installing vinyl flooring. Our concrete floor got some cracks on it so we’re thinking of making it look better by covering it with a vinyl flooring. I should look for floor sale shops nearby and see what they have in stock.
To piggyback off of Brit’s question a year ago…we had LVT professionally installed recently. We had a couple of low spots but were told 1/8” was within the acceptable range because if they put leveling compound on, it may make it worse in other areas. But it “clicks” all over. I wasn’t prepared for how noisy it would be. Is this a con and something we just have to live with or was there a problem with installation?
Hi Karen. From what it sounds like, the installers should have leveled out the low spots or to leveled the entire subfloor. The LVT is clicking due to those imperfections in the subfloor. It is common for LVT to have foot fall sound on it but if you hear clicking, it is typically due to installation. It is extremely important in the install process to prepare the subfloor so that you have a flat, level and clean space. Another tip to prevent noise is to use a underlayment (if there isn’t already one attached).
I like how vinyl plank flooring looks like real wood. That is reassuring to me as a homeowner. Perhaps they could raise my home’s value.
Hi Chance, It is definitely possible for Luxury vinyl plank flooring could raise the value of your home.
You caught my attention as soon as you stated that vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof. Liquid stains from things like juice or soda have been my biggest problems when cleaning up the house, and since these happen very often, I would like to find a material that can withstand these stains regularly. With that in mind, I’ll start looking for any vinyl flooring contractors in the area that can help me install some properly.
Hi Afton! Yes, Vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof and can withstand juice and soda spills. If you have any questions along the way about choosing a vinyl for your home or installation, please let us know. Browse and Chat here!