Luxury vinyl planks and tiles (LVP/LVT) flooring has emerged as a top choice for homeowners due to its durability, affordability, and versatility. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the three main types of vinyl flooring, compare vinyl to laminate, and delve into why Karndean is a leader in vinyl flooring. By the end of this, you'll have a clear understanding of which vinyl flooring type is right for your home and why it stands out against other flooring options.
Three Types of Vinyl Flooring: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Gluedown Vinyl (LVT) Flooring:
- Appearance: Available in both wood-look planks and stone-look tiles, offering a wide range of designs to match any décor.
- Durability: Extremely durable with a strong wear layer that protects against scratches and dents.
- Waterproof properties: Standing up to spills of all sizes and won’t swell, crack or warp when wet.
- Installation: Requires hard-set adhesive for installation, providing a permanent bond and added stability.
- Karndean products: explore our ranges, Van Gogh, Knight Tile, Art Select and Opus.
Loose Lay Vinyl (LVT) Flooring:
- Appearance: Comes in wood-look planks and stone-look tiles, replicating the natural beauty of wood and stone.
- Durability: Offers excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear.
- Waterproof properties: Standing up to spills of all sizes and won’t swell, crack or warp when wet.
- Installation: Can the loose laid, or with a light tackifier adhesive so planks and tiles can be individually replaced, or hard-set adhesive provides a permanent bond.
- Karndean products: explore our ranges, LooseLay Longboard and LooseLay Originals.
Rigid Core Hybrid Vinyl (LVT) Flooring:
- Appearance: Available in wood-look planks and stone-look tiles with realistic textures and finishes.
- Durability: Incredibly durable with a rigid core that resists dents and impact.
- Waterproof properties: Standing up to spills of all sizes and won’t swell, crack or warp when wet.
- Installation: Utilises a click-lock system for easy, floating floor installation, even over imperfect subfloors.
- Karndean products: explore our ranges, Korlok 5G®, Van Gogh 5G® and Knight Tile 2G™
Your installer or Karndean retailer will be able to discuss which options are suitable for your space.
Why Choose Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
- Superior Replication of Natural Materials: Karndean excels in replicating the natural look and feel of real wood and stone. Each plank or tile is designed with intricate details that mimic the unique patterns and textures found in nature. This attention to detail ensures that Karndean flooring provides a realistic and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional materials.
- Enhanced Durability and Lifespan: Karndean vinyl flooring is built to last. Unlike laminate, which is prone to damage from moisture and wear, Karndean's luxury vinyl planks and tiles are incredibly durable and water-resistant. With a lifetime residential warranty (up to 35 years), you can trust that your Karndean floors will stand the test of time, even in high-traffic areas.
- Easy Maintenance and Hygiene: Vinyl flooring is easier to clean and more hygienic compared to laminate and engineered wood. Karndean's floors do not harbour dirt, dust, or allergens, making them a healthier choice for your home. Additionally, their non-porous surface ensures that spills and stains can be easily wiped away with a pH-7-neutral cleaner.
- Comfort and Sound Insulation: Karndean flooring is softer and quieter underfoot compared to laminate and natural wood. Its construction absorbs sound, reducing noise levels in your home—a significant advantage for families with children and pets.
- Versatility in Design and Application: Karndean offers a wide variety of designs, colours, and textures, allowing you to find the perfect match for any room in your home. Whether you prefer the look of rustic wood, Australian species, or sleek stone, Karndean has something to suit your style. Karndean flooring can be installed over most existing floors, simplifying the installation process.
Vinyl vs. Laminate: A Comprehensive Comparison
Durability and Stability:
- Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is made from multiple layers of PVC, making it highly durable and resistant to moisture, scratches, and dents. It is ideal for high-traffic and high-moisture areas.
- Laminate: Made from layers of pressed wood and a photographic layer, laminate is not as durable as vinyl and can be damaged by water. It is more susceptible to scratches and cannot be refinished.
Water Resistance:
- Vinyl: Karndean vinyl flooring is perfect for areas like kitchens. Our products are designed to handle varying conditions, meaning planks and tiles resist moisture, avoid swelling, cracking, and warping with everyday spills and splashes.
- Laminate: Laminate can be damaged by water and is not suitable for areas prone to moisture like kitchens.
Maintenance and Hygiene:
- Vinyl: Easy to clean and maintain with a simple mop and pH-7-neutral cleaner. Vinyl is also more hygienic as it does not harbour allergens.
- Laminate: Requires more maintenance and can be difficult to clean if water seeps into the seams. It can harbour allergens and dirt in the grooves.
Comfort and Noise:
- Vinyl: Softer and quieter underfoot, providing better comfort and sound insulation.
- Laminate: Harder and noisier, laminate can create a hollow sound when walked on.
Installation:
- Vinyl: Easy to install with various options, including vinyl types of hybrid click-lock and gluedown, and loose lay methods. Can be installed over most existing floors.
- Laminate: Requires a more precise installation process and often needs the removal of existing flooring.
How Long Does Vinyl Flooring Last?
With proper care and maintenance, vinyl flooring can last many years, Karndean offers a lifetime residential warranty (up to 35 years), ensuring that your floors remain beautiful and functional for decades.
Is Vinyl or Laminate Better for Homes with Pets?
For homes with pets, luxury vinyl flooring is the superior choice. It is more resistant to scratches, moisture, and stains compared to laminate. Karndean's vinyl flooring also features a wear layer that protects against damage from pet claws and is easy to clean, making it ideal for pet owners.
Applications and Versatility
Vinyl flooring is suitable for a wide range of applications due to its durability and ease of installation. It can be used in almost any room of the house, including high-moisture areas like kitchens. Laminate, on the other hand, is limited to low-moisture areas and requires more maintenance.
Why Choose Karndean Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Karndean luxury vinyl flooring offers numerous benefits that make it a superior choice over laminate and other flooring options. With its realistic replication of natural materials, enhanced durability, ease of maintenance, and comfort, Karndean provides a flooring solution that meets the needs of modern homeowners. Whether you're renovating a single room or outfitting your entire home, Karndean has the perfect flooring option to suit your style and needs.
Explore Karndean's extensive range of luxury vinyl flooring today and experience the difference for yourself. Your home deserves the best, and Karndean delivers on all fronts.
It is recommended that when selecting flooring products, you verify compliance with building regulations and certification practices relevant to your local area. Please note that it is the responsibility of the consumer to ensure that all products are used in accordance with local building codes and regulations. We don't recommend using vinyl plank and tile flooring in wet areas such as bathrooms.
