Everything You Need to Know About Vinyl Plank Installation

Sep 3, 2022

By Alexis Bustos

Today Flooring options are endless, Why should you consider going with a Vinyl Plank flooring?

For one Vinyl Plank flooring are Built to endure it's waterproof, Scratch Resistant perfect for Residential flooring or Commercial flooring use. Us Hardwood and Carpet has put together a team of outstanding flooring professionals to assist you in all of your flooring needs! From quality installation to making sure your flooring is installed the way you like we promise to give the best service we can possibly give!

What is Luxury Vinyl flooring?

Vinyl planks are a type of laminate flooring that is made up of layers of vinyl sheeting bonded together under heat and pressure. The vinyl sheets are usually made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which makes the material very durable and water-resistant. Including WPC and SPC cores at our Santa Clara flooring store. Vinyl planks are often used in commercial settings because of their durability and ease of installation.

Can you nail down vinyl flooring?

The short answer is no, we would not recommend nail down installation for vinyl plank. While it is nail down for vinyl flooring is possible it would instantly void most flooring companies warranties. We highly recommend using the glue or the simple click on installation method. Due to vinyl floors being a floating floor it allows for a very easy installation that can installed on top of your current floors!

Choosing the right vinyl plank

Choosing the right flooring has never been easier because at US Hardwood & Carpet in Santa Clara, we provide an special expertise in the flooring industry. The thickness of vinyl plank is mostly for the height and making sure floors matchup without too much transition. The wear layer is going to withstand scrapes, scruffs, dents, and stains.

Wear Layer Ratings:

6 mil (Good): Residential use.
12 mil (Better): Residential – light commercial.
20 mil+ (Best): Commercially rated. High traffic environments.

WPC vs SPC flooring

WPC Vinyl flooring Wood Plastic (or Polymer) Composite: slightly more expensive than SPC, more affordable than real stone or wood, less dense & resilient, slightly less durable than SPC.

SPC Vinyl Plank Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite: more affordable, dense and rigid which gives no underfoot feeling, SPC cores can get cold easily, great for basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and commercial flooring. SPC is increasingly more durable and affordable!

Laminate vs Vinyl Plank

Laminate flooring: is cheaper, a floating floor which makes easier installs free of tape & glue, not as good choice for high moisture areas as vinyl plank is, water-resistant (not a waterproof floor), scratch-resistant, less value on resale/ increasing value of property, more stylish appearance, but less lifespan and durability on floors

Vinyl Plank: 100% waterproof, scratch resistant, quality versions can add value to properties because of their durability, vinyl flooring is also known for being more quiet and many not be as easy for DIY flooring installations.

Pros & Cons of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Pros of LVP Resilient Flooring

Cons of LVP Resilient Flooring

- Easy floor cleaning and low to no maintenance

- Can give replicate real stone or tile look without breaking the bank

- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial

- Warmer on feet compared to stone and tile flooring

- Durable

-100% Waterproof

- Scratch-resistant

-Great affordable inexpensive pricing on flooring

- Easy to install or DIY flooring

- Flooring that is quiet under the feet

- Great real wood and real tile feeling flooring

- Resilient flooring can be difficult to repair

- Does not add as much resale value as hardwood or other materials

- Some brands may contain VOC toxins (None at US Hardwood & Carpet in Santa Clara)

- Not as eco-friendly or biodegradable

- Shorter lifespan than wood

- Depending on the adhesive and installation LVP can be difficult to remove

- Lower quality brands may not look as realistic

For the best flooring store in the Sunnyvale/ Santa Clara location come stop by US Hardwood & Carpet where we are apart of the helping people business.