What is LVT Flooring?

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) flooring (also know as Moduleo vinyl flooring) is a type of flooring that consists of multiple layers, of high-quality materials such as PVC vinyl and resin compounded with plasticisers and stabilisers on top of a waterproof base. With the multitude of materials, it creates a strong & durable flooring product. 

This durability makes it ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms, living & dining areas, as well as office spaces.

No matter if you are renovating, upgrading, or just fancy a new look, a new LVT floor can instantly transform your room. There are so many different looks, that can perfectly complement your style and home furnishings.

Why is LVT popular?

It is an increasingly popular and affordable option in comparison to real hardwood floors & it comes without the drawbacks that you sometimes find with a natural product.

Luxury Vinyl Tile is available in a variety of different looks. You can choose from, wood planks, ceramic tiles and stone styles, here at Sale Flooring Direct.

LVT flooring offers a greater range of styles & colours than the usual type of flooring seen on the market today. Manufacturers have produced a variety of options that replicate the look of real wood floor as well as natural stone & marble tiles.

So you will easily be able to find a style to match the interior design of your room.

You may be asking well is lvt really waterproof? The answer is that most LVTs are waterproof as long as you make sure their adhesives and underlays are waterproof as well. Due to this LVT can be appropriate for installation across the entire home. It is also suitable for fitting over underfloor heating due to limited expansion and contraction.

LVT for different rooms 

Kitchens/Dining Areas/Bathrooms

Luxury vinyl tiles are designed to resist stains and water. This makes them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens & dining areas where accidents happen often. They look great while providing the necessary functionality.

Halls & Lounges

With these frequently used areas in the home, Luxury Vinyl Tiles are a good option as they deal great high-traffic volume, with the added benefit of looking great. They’re durable and easy to clean, unlike many other flooring alternatives.

Bedrooms

If you like to walk around in your bedroom barefoot, vinyl tiles will be a great choice for you. They’ll work especially well in children’s bedrooms because they are easily cleaned & great at maintaining heat.

What can you use to clean LVT Flooring?

As with any type of floor, it is important to clean regularly to remove dirt to avoid scratching.

LVT is easily cleaned and simple to maintain. All you need is a sweep and occasional mop to keep it looking its best.

It has much fewer cleaning requirements than other flooring alternatives, making it a far easier and less time-consuming flooring option to look after & maintain.

Remove Stains:

1. To clean a spill, use a clean cloth and some mild detergent. Non-abrasive cleaning products are recommended.
2. When a floor gets very dirty, use a damp mop for the best results and avoid using a broom that can cause scratches (Also ensure you don’t drown your floor in water!).
3. Don't use a steam cleaner on LVT flooring. The heat and moisture can cause damage to the foundation of your floor.
4. Ensure floors are dry before permitting young ones or creatures back into the room.

Maintain Floor:

To keep your luxury vinyl floor looking great, you have to deal with spills as soon as they happen to prevent staining.

If your flooring is too exposed to sunlight, it can start to fade or discolour. To keep your floor looking new, try closing blinds or curtains when intense sunlight comes in.

Be careful when using house-cleaning products. Some have chemicals that can make floors slippery. You should not use wax with vinyl flooring because it will make your floor slippery and could do damage to its appearance. It’s important to find cleaning products that are safe for your vinyl floors. You should also check that they are appropriate for homes with animals or children.

How to Fit LVT Flooring? 

Floor Preparation for LVT

Before you put down your luxury vinyl tiles, make sure they’ve had time to settle to the temperature of the room. Make sure to place their container in the centre of the room for a couple of days before the installation. This ensures that the flooring acclimates to the room which helps to avoid any shrinking or gaps in seams.

You should be very thorough when cleaning the subfloor for your flooring. Sweep, vacuum, and wash the floor in order to make sure that the floor is level so it doesn’t have any bumps or unevenness.

We also recommend using padded knee pads, which will help you avoid pain from kneeling for long periods of time.

LVT can be installed in a few ways, either with glue down, loose-lay & locking system LVT floor.

Locking System LVT:

Locking system LVT floors are designed to mimic the look and feel of real wood or tile, but without the hassle of installation. It uses a straightforward locking mechanism to make installation easy.

The flooring requires an LVT underlay between the subfloor and the floor. This underlay is what allows the locking joints to stay secure so make sure you buy the right one.

Locking LVT will unlock in the future, so it’s less of a permanent commitment than glue down LVT.

Glue Down LVT:

Glued down LVT follows the same traditional method of gluing vinyl that you see with roll vinyl.

This can be a difficult task for the average person who has little to no DIY experience, so we recommend hiring professionals.

The best thing about glue down LVT is that you can customise it to your preference with design and feature strips. Some argue that this type of vinyl is more resistant as well.

Loose-lay LVT:

Using newer loose-lay systems makes it possible to use LVT with minimal surface preparation. With this solution, we can reduce LVT flooring installation costs as well as installation times.

Loose-lay vinyl flooring is easy to install because of the special grip backing. A self-adhesive vinyl plank flooring is easy to install.

It grips to most subfloors, as long as they're flat and dry, & you won't need any underlay. It is easy to maintain, repair, and durable. Lifting up loose-lay vinyl can be done if necessary in the future.

LVT Flooring Repair?

Another common question is how to deal with scratches and blemishes. Movement, like constantly opening and closing doors or carrying things around your home, will gradually wear out your floors.

Dry mopping, & vacuuming can help remove dirt and grit that can scratch up your floors over time. However, for deeper scratches in the floor, like gouges, applying a vinyl floor sealer or an LVT repair kit can do the job for most vinyl planks.

You'll need clear liquid epoxy resin to fix a chipped or scratched area in your LVT. Acrylic paint that matches the colour of the luxury vinyl tile is needed next. Mix the epoxy resin with the acrylic and place it in the hole or scratch you wish to fill, scraping away any material that has overflowed.

The Benefits of an LVT Floor

1. Waterproof
2. Great durability
3. Warmer than tiles and laminate
4. Softer than tiles and laminate

Tips for Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Luxury vinyl tiles are an investment for your home. They’ll look their best if you clean and maintain them properly. We have compiled a list to assist you, with expert tips and advice!

1. It’s important to ensure that any rugs and blankets you place on your floor have a non-slip backing.
2. Using runners to help distribute weight on the floor can also prevent damage to your flooring.
3. To avoid damaging your luxury vinyl tile flooring, never push or drag furniture. Instead, carefully lift furniture that needs to be moved.