How to select true luxury vinyl flooring

 
Luxury vinyl flooring has it all. It has a sophisticated, high-end style and is affordable, waterproof, durable, easy to maintain, and simple to install. It is so stylish; we do not only see it in every room but also in high-end homes where not so long ago only authentic wood or stone would be considered. However, it's not all the same, so when shopping for luxury vinyl floors (LVF), make sure you get the real thing. The following are some things to look for.
 

Image is everything

 
LVF is a remarkably realistic echo of wood, tile, or stone, all available in an almost unlimited number of colors and patterns. True LVF takes the image with 3D photography and prints it digitally. It's vibrant and accurate, with knots, wormholes, raised grains, swirls, and veining variations on display.

Look for depth, dimension, and textured appearances such as wire-brushed, hand scraped, weathered, and distressed. These are caused by embossing, another technological advance. The edges should be beveled (with a slight incline), and it can be cut into planks (LVP) to mimic hardwood boards or square, groutable tile-sized pieces (LVT). If you don't see any of this, it might be of lesser quality.
 
 
 
 

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Durability, thickness, and the wear layer

 
True LVF should be at least 8-mm in thickness. If you are selecting planks, you may want to go higher to 10-mm or even 12-mm. That gives it a high-quality look and an authentic feel. The wear layer is a top, clear, melamine sheet that protects the floor from scratches and scuffs. It also keeps spills at the top, so they wipe off easily. That should measure at least 20-mils. LVF is also very easy to maintain with regular (daily, if possible) sweeping and periodic mopping. Avoid wax, shine promoting cleaners as they can damage the urethane finish and dull the floor. If you need more shine, seek advice from the flooring experts. LVF can be a floating floor installation technique when the pieces click together to mat and then hover over the subfloor with no nails or glue. Subfloors need only be clean, dry, and level, but it is sometimes necessary to smooth it out; otherwise, those imperfections can travel to the surface floor. The floor is your expression of personal style. It's also one of the biggest investments you'll make in your home, so protect it with a high-quality installation. Our professional in-house team of installers is one of the best in the business. To learn more about luxury vinyl flooring, visit a Fred Nickel Tile showroom in Ocala, FL or the Villages, FL, We work with homeowners in Ocala, FL, The Villages, FL, Belleview, FL, Leesburg, FL, and Wildwood, FL for all their LVF needs.