What is LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) Flooring?

Have you been looking to upgrade your facility’s flooring, but aren’t sure what to go with?

There are a lot of popular options out there, some look nice, and others are built well, but often there’s a struggle to find balance between the two.

That sweet spot is right where luxury vinyl tile flooring shines the brightest.

Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is an industry term that describes a type of vinyl tiling with the appearance of natural materials, like wood and stone.

LVT has become a very desirable alternative to wood and stone flooring because it’s durable, affordable, and looks like real stone or ceramic.

Some people commonly refer to LVT as LVP, or luxury vinyl plank. But, in reality, LVP flooring is the same as LVT, just designed to look like real wood instead of stone. LVT is often in the shape of a square, whereas LVP is shaped like a plank.

For the sake of this video, though, they’re one in the same. So when I say anything about LVT, know that it applies to LVP too!

With that out of the way, let’s dive into all you need to know about luxury vinyl tile flooring.

LVT is common for a lot of reasons. Let’s dig into a few.

It has some incredible attributes. LVT is anti-static, slip resistant, and 100% waterproof. These attributes are part of the reason why you see LVT used across so many industries.

There are also a number of installation methods to choose from. Glue down, click, and loose lay are popular choices because even a layman can do them.

Maintenance is also simple. LVT doesn’t need to be sealed or refinished like the natural materials it mimics, and it’s more durable!

Daily sweeping to keep the dirt away, an occasional deep wash with a mop, and your floors will stay looking fresh. And, you don’t have to worry about cleaning grout lines because there are none.

Even if there’s a buff, it can be taken care of by rubbing it with a microfiber cloth and WD-40. For deep scratches, consider using paste wax with the microfiber cloth.

Lastly, it’s an affordable, durable, and comfortable alternative to other flooring options. Not to mention, LVT is more comfortable to walk on than porcelain, ceramic, or stone!

LVT is made up of four layers: the wear layer, the print layer, the vinyl core, and the backing.

The wear layer protects the decorative image and is the tile’s primary line of defense. It is made of virgin or recycled PVC and covered with a UV-cured urethane for added protection. This layer is what makes LVT so easy to clean.

The print layer is what makes LVT stand out. It is a realistic digital image of a material printed on paper. The image is adhered to the vinyl core, and protected by the wear layer. The imagery is very realistic, creating an upscale look for far lower cost than real wood or stone.

The vinyl core is the main component of LVT. It is a synthetic material made by melting and mixing various ingredients, primarily PVC, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, and UV-stabilizers. Its incredible strength and durability are partially why LVT has become so popular.

The final layer is the backing. Backing adds stability and ensures flatness. For glue-down applications, the backing is sometimes textured to promote adhesion. It also prevents mold and mildew from developing beneath the tile, as it's waterproof.

In recent years LVT has become a popular option across multiple market segments. You can find LVT in offices, healthcare settings, residential homes, schools and universities, commercial buildings, and even boats.

LVT’s combination of high-quality design, low cost, and robust durability make it our go-to choice for commercial flooring. It may not be the cheapest vinyl option, but compared to wood or stone, it is both more affordable and more durable.

If you’re interested in installing LVT at your facility, consider reaching out to one of our floor care experts, located at an Imperial Dade facility near you.

At Imperial Dade, our experts have the experience and in-depth knowledge required to help transform your business. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Use the Time Codes Below to Skip To the Part of the Video that Interests You:

00:00 What is LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) Flooring?
00:30 LVT vs LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank)
1:00 Benefits of LVT
1:15 Ways to Install LVT
1:55 4 Layers of LVT

[islandqueen]

Thanks a lot this video helped me make my decision 😊