A comprehensive guide to vinyl plank flooring, telling you everything you need to know about this easy to maintain flooring solution.
What is vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl plank flooring is a type of luxury vinyl flooring, made of PVC, that is supplied in plank-shaped strips (like hardwood or laminate flooring) rather than the traditional squares of luxury vinyl tiles.
What does luxury vinyl plank flooring look like?
Luxury vinyl plank flooring or LVP, is specifically designed to offer the aesthetic of a real wood floor, with designs and colour options representing a wide variety of natural wood finishes.
Now we have explained what LVP is, let’s look at the benefits it offers to homeowners, and specifically to pet owners!
Benefits of luxury vinyl plank flooring
Durability – the composition of LVP produces an extremely durable flooring that offers good resistance to the scratches and stains that heavy foot traffic can cause.
Waterproof – when professionally installed, LVP is waterproof, as an impermeable seal is created between the joins in the vinyl that liquids cannot penetrate.
Low maintenance – beyond regular sweeping or vacuuming, LVP can be cleaned quickly and easily by mopping with plain water. How to deep clean vinyl floors – a guide for pet owners explains how to deep clean your LVP and what to avoid.
LVP is kind to pets – offering the look of a real wood floor without any of the discomfort for your pets, LVP is a multi-layered product. At Floors for Paws, our LVP range has an anti-slip, textured surface plus a reinforcement layer, and the Pawsafe Domestic range also has a high density fleece backing for joint comfort. Flooring for older dogs is important to get right if they are to remain comfortable for as long as possible and our range has been developed in conjunction with CAM (Canine Arthritis Management).
How to lay vinyl plank flooring
LVP must be installed over an existing subfloor. An enthusiastic DIY-er can prepare a subfloor for vinyl flooring, but we recommend a professional fitter carries out the work to ensure guarantees are not invalidated. Where a professional fitter is used, Floor for Paws can offer guarantees of up to 30 years dependent on flooring type.
Where to use luxury vinyl plank flooring
A really versatile flooring solution, LVP can be used anywhere in the home. Its ability to withstand the impact of high volume foot traffic makes it the perfect choice for use in entrance halls, hallways and kitchens, while its water resistance makes it ideal for bathrooms. The plank shape and size allows for a wide choice of patterns to be created too, and a classic herringbone pattern will always suit any lounge or sitting room.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring from Floor For Paws
At Floors for Paws our luxury vinyl range offers 12 wood-effect, vinyl plank options that can be installed to replicate the look of a solid wood floor or a traditional parquet floor. Alternatively, our Pawsafe Domestic range offers a choice of two plank sizes in either a herringbone-effect finish or a plank-effect look. If you are considering LVP flooring but aren’t sure which colour or design would suit your home, order up to three free samples from the luxury vinyl range or up to three free samples from the Pawsafe Domestic range to help you decide. If you have any other questions in the meantime, our friendly sales team will help via email at info@floorsforpaws.com or over the phone on 01522 300218.
