LVT Flooring - Versatile Flooring For Homeowners

What is LVT Flooring?

LVT, or Luxury Vinyl Tiles, are a composite flooring engineered to replicate the appearance of natural materials like stone and wood planks. This flooring was pioneered over 60 years ago to offer customers a remarkably versatile solution, presenting the aesthetic allure of natural elements without their inherent drawbacks, such as warping or cracking. Recognisable brand names who specialise in LVT, Luxury Vinyl Tile, flooring include the likes of Karndean, Amtico and Moduleo along with Brampton Chase.

One of LVT's distinctive features is its comfortable feel underfoot, alongside its waterproof and highly durable nature, making it exceptionally suited for diverse interior environments. Its low maintenance and ease of cleaning stem from specialised surface treatments, ensuring it resists harbouring dust or grime—an ideal choice for households with children and pets.

LVT flooring proves to be an excellent option for various projects, catering to the needs of homeowners, design professionals, architects, and developers alike. Its attributes span stylish aesthetics, durability, hygiene, and adaptability to diverse needs. With an extensive array of designs ranging from traditional to modern wood planks, aged timber, stone, concrete, and slate, including intricate patterns like herringbone and chevron, the popularity of LVT flooring continues to surge.

The customisable nature of each installation through design strips and border patterns further increases the appeal of LVT, making it the flooring of choice for millions of individuals across the UK and globally. Its realistic surface textures and the vast assortment of stunning designs contribute to the popularity of LVT flooring making this the flooring of choice for millions of people across the UK and world.

How much is LVT Flooring?

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) offers exceptional value to both purchase and installation, regardless of the brand or range. Don't let the term 'Luxury' mislead you into assuming high costs; in fact, you'll discover a stunning, natural-looking floor at a fraction of the expense compared to natural flooring options. LVT is tailored to modern lifestyles and offers outstanding value comparable to mid to high-end laminates.

Similar to other flooring types like wood, laminate, stone, or porcelain, LVT's pricing can vary based on its quality and features. These variations directly relate to factors such as the materials used in production, the weight or thickness of the range, and premium finishes that elevate its aesthetic appeal. Thickness variations, typically ranging from 2mm to 3mm, might not seem substantial, but they significantly influence retail pricing, often up to £15 per square metremeter.

Thicker LVT flooring, although pricier to manufacture and distribute, often incorporates premium finishes like bevelled edges, enhanced emboss techniques, and higher-grade wear layers. For instance, a 2mm LVT typically features a 0.3mm wear layer, ideal for most domestic needs, while thicker variants may have 0.5mm or 0.55mm wear layers, elevating them to commercial or even light industrial standards, albeit at additional costs.

To provide current cost guidance, standard 2mm LVT in plank or stone formats usually ranges from £25 to £35 per square metremeter. Thicker options like 2.5mm and 3mm may cost around £40 to £45 per square metremeter. Opting for unique designs like the popular herringbone pattern will increase prices, with smaller parquet herringbone plank options increasing both purchasing and installation costs further.

Installation is relatively straightforward and stress-free, typically priced at £25-30 per metremeter for standard sizes and fitting patterns. Costs may rise for bespoke patterns, border designs, and herringbone planks. When choosing a herringbone pattern, consider that smaller planks may contribute to increased costs for both purchase and installation.

Overall, LVT flooring is exceptional value at all levels with something to suit just about any budget and any requirement.

How to install LVT Flooring

LVT flooring offers exceptional versatility and suits various domestic, commercial, and even light industrial spaces. Most LVT flooring falls into the category of 'gluedown' or 'stickdown' products, where specialised adhesives are used to firmly secure the tiles or planks to the subfloor. This subfloor, crucial for successful installation, requires meticulous preparation, making professional fitting highly advisable for gluedown LVT flooring. Our installation datasheet provides detailed insights into subfloor specifics, acclimatisation, and recommended adhesives for a successful installation.

Alternatively, certain LVT flooring designs come with a 'click-fit' system, offering enhanced versatility and advantages for specific projects. Many click-fit LVT options utilise an SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) construction, known for its thin profile and exceptional strength. SPC maintains all the benefits and aesthetics of traditional LVT while offering a more robust solution for click-fit demands. Equipped with an integrated underlay, this type of flooring expedites installation without the need for additional underlay, ensuring a faster, more convenient fitting process.

Click-fit flooring presents distinct advantages over gluedown LVT, particularly in speed and minimal disruption. It can be installed directly over stable, smooth, level subfloors or even existing hard flooring. However, it's crucial that the subfloor is flawlessly smooth and level, as SPC flooring isn't designed to accommodate bumps, indents, or gaps. 

The absence of drying time in click-fit flooring is particularly advantageous for time-sensitive projects. Once sections are correctly installed, other trades can immediately access the floor, ensuring project continuity.

The click systems embedded in these floors are advanced, featuring an angled joint on the longer edge and a convenient push-click mechanism on the shorter side for easy assembly. You can view an installation video for a visual guide and access comprehensive installation guidelines for further insights. This seamless click-fit mechanism streamlines the installation process, allowing for efficient and precise assembly.

How to clean LVT Flooring.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Planks are truly remarkable for their exceptional durability, resilience against daily wear, and ease of maintenance. With robust surface treatments and strong wear layers, these floors are designed to withstand the rigours of everyday life, including the presence of pets and spills. With just a touch of tender loving care, your flooring will maintain its allure for years to come, performing at its best.

Maintaining the beauty of your floor is straightforward. Start by gently brushing it with a soft bristle broom or using a vacuum with a hard floors attachment featuring soft bristles. 

Next, employ the recommended cleaner, appropriately diluted, and allow it to dry. Any lingering marks can easily be buffed out with a soft cloth. Our cleaning video offers a visual guide for your convenience.

It's important to note that steam cleaners of any kind aren't suitable for LVT flooring. The intense heat can potentially damage the floor. Once your flooring is installed, a simple yet effective step is to apply felt protection pads beneath furniture, preventing sharp edges from denting or scratching the surface. When moving furniture, always take care to lift it rather than drag it across the floor to avoid inadvertent marks or scratches caused by sharp objects caught underneath.

To safeguard your flooring from dirt, grit, and moisture, invest in adequate entrance matting. However, be mindful of the matting choice, as certain PVC backings might cause staining or colour changes in your LVT over time. Consider options like 'Turtle mats' for a reliable choice.

Regular sweeping with a soft brush eliminates dust and fluff, while it's advisable to refrain from excessive use of cleaners, especially those with oil dispersing properties that can dull the finish or leave a residue on the surface. Avoid bleach-based or industrial-strength detergents, as these can cause damage or leave unsightly marks. Promptly mop up spills to prevent slipping or staining.

If you're looking for specialised cleaning products, we highly recommend the Dr. Schutz Luxury Vinyl Tile Cleaner (R1000) and their complete care kit. Dr. Schutz is renowned for offering expertise in products specifically designed to care for, maintain, and rejuvenate LVT floors. Visit www.drschutz.co.uk for more information on their comprehensive care solutions. Your LVT floor will thank you for the attention and care provided by these specialised products.

Why is LVT Flooring good?

LVT, known as Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, stands out for a multitude of reasons, presenting a myriad of advantages over other flooring alternatives, catering to the preferences of both homeowners and businesses alike.

Its exceptional durability and good resistance to scratches, stains, and general wear and tear make it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas. This durability, when complemented by proper care and maintenance, forms a key reason why LVT flooring is so popular and loved by so many. You can take a look at our Instagram feed for amazing projects from across the country.

Distinguishing itself with remarkable water resistance, LVT surpasses most hardwood or laminate flooring options, making it an excellent pick for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and even the growing trend for stunning garden rooms. Its adaptability extends to mud rooms and utility areas, offering a reliable solution where exposure to dampness is common. Slip resistance is also an important consideration for such areas, and LVT performs to the highest domestic standards time and again.

Selecting the right flooring involves matching tones, styles, and ambiance with the space. LVT excels in this realm, showcasing an extensive range of designs, patterns, and colours that flawlessly replicate natural materials such as wood or stone. This versatility helps homeowners, interior designers, and architects to achieve their desired aesthetic vision without breaking the bank.

Maintenance of LVT flooring is hassle-free, requiring routine sweeping and occasional mopping with a mild cleaner to keep it looking at its very best. Its comfort factor is a strong selling point—it delivers a softer, warmer feel underfoot compared to materials like tile or stone. 

Additionally, it significantly reduces noise from footsteps or pets, making it a superior choice over certain laminate or wood products. Its sound-absorbing properties contribute to reducing echoes and noise within a room, while click-fit SPC options boast an impressive 19dB impact sound reduction value.

Installation of LVT flooring is typically designed for ease, whether via click-and-lock systems or adhesive application. While professional advice is recommended for glued-down LVT flooring, the click-fit options offer a viable and feasible DIY project for skilled individuals.

In general, the majority of LVT flooring products meet the low-VOC standards or have low-VOC emissions adding to the list of benefits for this flooring type. They are tested to UK standards and are perfectly safe for indoor use of any type. All of our products meet this standard and you can find specific details with the individual product data sheets available. Clean LVT flooring planks and tiles, without glue residue, can be recycled by specialist organisations such as recofloor.

These combined benefits make LVT flooring an attractive choice for those seeking a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective flooring solution for their spaces.