Do it yourself

LVT Flooring Meaning And Reasons Why It’s Perfect For Home Use

If you are refurbishing your home and changing the floors you must have wondered by now about what is vinyl flooring since it’s one of the most popular options for long term, resistant floors for home and office. In this article we’ll delve into LVT flooring meaning including the LVT flooring construction definition and the wider, commercial uses of this product category. We’ll also compare LVT vs VCT (Vinyl composition tile) as those terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring material that has risen to fame due to its durability, practicality and ease to install. It is composed of several layers of different types of synthetic materials, usually topped by a UV protection layer that will ensure the color won’t change due to sun exposure over the years. It comes in several formats which use the same materials but different manufacturing methods to achieve totally different results:

LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile
Roll Vinyl
Peel and stick vinyl

Overall, vinyl flooring is incredibly resistant to scratches and stains, suffers no water damage and (provided you choose a high quality product) will remain unchanged by sunlight or day to day life for years. Unlike laminate, vinyl doesn’t have wood or other organic elements so it won’t expand and contract due to humidity. It’s also more flexible, thinner and lighter than laminate or real wood, so easier to install for a non-professional.

Vinyl Flooring is mostly composed of different layers of PVC and as such is totally inert and can come in any pattern or design you can imagine, including some very realistic wood and stone options! Both luxury vinyl tile and roll vinyl can be used in areas where you expect moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or kitchens. And peel and stick vinyl can also be used on walls and even to build your own countertops. As you can see, vinyl is incredibly versatile.

LVT Flooring Meaning

The LVT flooring construction definition is a type of resilient flooring composed of several layers:

Backing layer: Sound absorbing and with a texture to grip to the sub-flooring
Fill layer: Thicker layer that provides denting resistance
Print layer: This is a thin layer where the design is printed to imitate hardwood floors such as wood, stone or ceramic
Top coat: A clear coating that provides protection and prevents the vinyl from scratching or fading

Luxury vinyl tile is designed to imitate hardwood floors, and as such comes in a variety of patterns that can be easily confused with the real thing. The difference is that instead of a heavy plank of wood or stone you have a few millimetres flexible PVC plank that can be clicked into place without the use of glue or other adhesives. Funnily enough, the meaning of LVT flooring is just Luxury Vinyl Tile, but it usually refers to planks as opposed to roll vinyl which is more similar to a carpet and comes in rolls.

So, LVT flooring standards for Luxury Vinyl Tile. Let’s look at it in detail, word by word.

Luxury: LVT flooring meaning includes the word luxury, and people tend to get fixated on this and assume it’s going to be really expensive but that’s not always the case. Why luxury? Well, to start with the feeling of LVT is something else: It’s a high quality flooring and unlike laminate it’s noise dampening, and warm to the touch. It’s very comfortable to walk on barefoot, which makes it perfect for home use. It can also be used to install underfloor heating as it’s heat conductive and impervious to moisture. And you can use it on kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms where water spills are a possibility.

Vinyl is self explanatory, as the planks or tiles are made of PVC or vinyl, a material that has been with us since the beginning of last century (Chicago Word Fair in 1933 is officially its birthday!) but it has evolved greatly ever since. Modern vinyl plans are around 5mm thick and fully waterproof, as well as incredibly strong and durable.

Tile: Funnily enough, most people see planks when purchasing LVT and not tiles. However, tiles that imitate stone and ceramic are also a very popular format and widely used on kitchens and bathrooms. Since it’s a man-made material, the sky is the limit in terms of sizes and formats. The reason why the word Tile is used is because by definition planks are just a form of rectangular tiles.

lvt flooring meaning — Wondering about LVT Flooring meaning after seeing it at a store?

LVT vs VCT

Often people confuse LVT vs VCT and are surprised by the price variation. However, Vinyl Composite Tiles aren’t actually 100% PVC and include other materials such as limestone in the mix. VCT is more porous and requires maintenance but they also look more organic and can deal better with scuffs and marks by disguising them as part of the pattern.

Most households will be better served with an LVT product, while VCT is mostly relegated to large commercial spaces and institutions, with high traffic areas where lower costs are an important factor.

SPC Vinyl Plank Flooring Meaning

If you have been doing your research into lvt flooring meaning, you have no doubt come across about SPC vinyl planks and wondered about SPC vinyl plank flooring meaning. SPC is a new product whose main defining characteristic is a signature rigid core that is practically indestructible. It’s slightly cheaper than your typical LVT, but due to its hard rigid core is also less flexible, colder and harder to walk on. It is however more resistant than LVC so it’s frequently used in areas such as kitchens which get heavier use.

SPC is often cheaper than LVT, though the price ranges for both types of floor surfaces are wide enough that they overlap.

In terms of similarities, there are many. Both types of flooring are offered commercially as click vinyl planks, which means you can install them yourself without the need for glue or specialist knowledge. Both are waterproof and moisture proof, when installed correctly. And both come in a variety of styles and patterns that imitate any stone or hardwood you can think off.

The Secret To Laying Vinyl Floor Over Old Vinyl Floor

Filed Under: DIY Installation

Vinyl flooring is cheap, cost effective and perfect for areas such as kitchen or bathroom that have to deal with high levels of humidity. However, after a few years it is likely that you will need to replace your old flooring… if you choose to try your hand at laying vinyl floor over old vinyl read this article first so you get the best results possible from your new floor.

Problems When Installing Vinyl On Vinyl Substrate

There are two common issues when installing new vinyl flooring on top of old one:

The texture of the old vinyl is still visible on the newly installed one
Marks, pokes and bubbles from the old flooring show up instead of being covered by the new vinyl layer.

These two common problems with installing vinyl are caused by the same reason: vinyl sheets or tiles are very thin and will show any imperfections in the substrate, no matter how small they are.

How To Install Vinyl on Vinyl Substrate Like A Professional

The first thing you need to do when installing vinyl flooring over old vinyl is preparing the substrate. Remove all the furniture and the base board moulding, and make sure there is nothing in the way.

Once you have cleaned the area it’s time to check the old vinyl flooring for bubbles, holes, dents and areas that are loose or loosening up from the substrate. Use a razor blade to cut out and remove all these areas. Don’t worry, the next step will fill in any holes or gaps.

Vacuum the floor and remove all dirt and debris, so you are ready for the next step: applying a skim coat. Skim coating is often used in walls, before painting, in order to achieve a perfectly smooth surface. But you can do the same to prepare your floor so the new vinyl flooring will have a perfectly even surface to adhere to. A thin layer of joint compound suitable for indoor use spread over the old vinyl floor, will patch up any gaps or dents and the holes left by removing the broken bits of the old vinyl floor.

Best Buy #1

Dap 10100 Wallboard Joint Compound, White ,...

SaleBest Buy #2

1 qt Dap 12330 DryDex Interior/Exterior Spackling,...

Best Buy #3

U S Gypsum 384013 3.75QT Plus3 Compound, 3.5 qt,...

Follow the instructions of your chose skim coat product and mix it with water, and use a masonry trowel to spread it all over the entire floor. This will ensure the texture of the previous vinyl cannot be transferred to your new flooring. In areas where there are deeper gaps or dents use a thicker mixture of skim coat and water. Pay attention to this bit and make sure to do it right: skim coating the old vinyl floor is the secret to install vinyl on vinyl flooring like a professional.

You will need your skim coat to be as perfectly flat and even as possible, so after waiting for it to dry (which can be 14 or 18 hours, particularly if the room has poor ventilation) go through it with the trowel and gently scrape off any drips or lines left when spreading it. Some people even suggest lightly sanding any imperfection, particularly if you are installing the flooring on a room with very intense lighting. Spend time doing this, and your new floor will be perfect.

Once this step is complete, you can continue installing vinyl flooring as with any other substrate. While there are different types of flooring you can choose (vinyl planks, luxury vinyl, vinyl tiles or even wrap vinyl) using a skim coat to even the floor surface is the secret to laying vinyl floor over old vinyl successfully.

How to Remove Floor Tiles

Filed Under: DIY Installation

Before you can install your new flooring, you need to get rid of the old one. Learning how to remove floor tiles quickly and efficiently will save you lots of time and money, even if you choose to have the floor installed by somebody else. Depending on the type of tile, this process can take from a few hours of light work to over a day of hard work, lots of noise and dust if you need to remove ceramic tiles attached to concrete.

Removing Vinyl Floor Tile

If you are removing a vinyl floor, whether it is made of self adhesive vinyl floor tiles or vinyl planks, the job is usually relatively easy. In many cases, you can use a utility knife to cut the tiles into strips, and cut the adhesive below to separate the vinyl sheet from the floor. However, this won’t get rid of the adhesive glue and if you want to install a new type of flooring on top of it you’ll need to clean it up scrapping, or using chemical solvents to remove old vinyl.

Removing Vinyl Adhesive Video

Removing Ceramic Floor Tile

Depending on the base to which the tiles are glued, the process will be more or less difficult, but keep in mind that invariably you will produce lots of noise, dust and flying particles, so make sure you wear the right protective gear and warn your neighbours before they call the police to complain.

Recommended Protective Gear

Don’t leave anything to chance and protect yourself from damage when removing porcelain or ceramic floor tiles.

Leather gloves, thick long pants and a thick long-sleeve shirt that will protect your body from flying bits of porcelain (which are very similar to glass and can cause deep cuts).
Wraparound safety googles
Ear protection if you are using power tools (and you should).

Ceramic Tiles On Concrete Slab

This is the most difficult type of floor tiles to remove, as the tiles need to be broken in order to remove them from the concrete slab. You can do that with a small sledgehammer, or rent a power scrapper or chipping hammer to pulverise the tiles in a fraction of the time.

To remove ceramic tiles on concrete slab start with breaking up the tile using one of the above tools. Then loosen any remaining tile fragments with a hand-held scrapper on a long pole or with a putty knife, using a hammer to hit the handle. The result will be sharp shards of tile everywhere (particularly with porcelain, which reacts pretty much like glass when struck), which you will need to either sweep using a broom or vacuum.

Watch This Video To See How To Remove Ceramic Floor Tiles

Ceramic Tiles On Cement Board

If the ceramic flooring you are trying to remove is attached to a cement board, the best and quickest option is to remove both at the same time. To do so, you will need to start removing the flooring at the place where it ends and a different type of flooring (carpet, wood) starts, and you will be able to use a spade to separate the cement from the wood substrate by lifting it.

Start by using the hammer to pulverise the tiles on an area that is as wide as your shovel and a few inches into the vinyl floor. You can try to use a putty knife and a hammer to chip out the grout, and prying up the tile by wedging the knife under it. Once the tile and tile fragments are removed, you will need a hammer to pulverise the cement board.

Once you have enough room to push the spade under the board, you can use a pry bar or a flat spade to pry up the cement board. If the board was installed with screws, you may need to remove them separately.

Luxury Vinyl Tile VS Ceramic Tiles

Filed Under: Buying

Ceramic tiles have always been a popular choice for household flooring, particularly in warmer climates and rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom. However, new materials such as luxury vinyl tile offer many advantages over ceramic and are easily accessible at any home improvement store or over the internet. They are also easier to install as a DIY project than tiles, as they come in self-adhesive formats that don’t require thin-set or grout which may be difficult to handle for those new to DIY home improvement.

Open Studios Day 5 - Classic Vinyl Flooring — Open Studios Day 5 – Classic Vinyl Flooring (Photo credit: Jacob Whittaker)

There are many other benefits to luxury vinyl tile besides the ease of installation. For example, did you know that this material is soft and warm under your feet, naturally? This makes it perfect for a bathroom or other areas where you will be walking barefoot. It can also be installed with or without grout, in case the idea of cleaning grout regularly doesn’t appeal to you. If you install vinyl tiles with grout most people will confuse them with high quality porcelain, just softer and warmer and less likely to cause people to slip.

Cleaning luxury vinyl tile is also a breeze. This kind of flooring material comes with stain resistant finishings, and fade or wear through warranties that make them a great investment. If you buy an extra pack of luxury tiles when you install the floor you can also use them to replace any tile that chips or cracks. With ceramic tile, if a chip or crack occurs you are stuck with it, and if it happens in a very visible part of the room you may end up having to replace the entire floor which isn’t cheap or convenient. Vinyl is also resistant to water and humidity, so you won’t need to fear accidental spills like you would do if you had installed wood or natural stone tiles.

Luxury vinyl tiles are very versatile. They come in a variety of styles and colours, from 70s psychedelic patterns to more traditional wood and stone imitation. They can be installed with or without grout, though if you choose to install them without the space between the tiles may accumulate dirt, so you will need to be extra careful about keeping it clean. This effect is particularly visible on light coloured vinyl tiles. You can also choose to install a combination of different colours to create a unique pattern on your floor. And if you want, you can combine vinyl luxury planks with tiles to create a wood and tile look that will look like you hired a team of professionals to design your house.

The fact that luxury vinyl tile is affordable doesn’t mean you are more limited in terms of design than when using real tile. You can create inlays, borders and any design your imagination can come up with. This material has excellent flooring properties, and they don’t look cheap or fake looking like older and cheaper vinyl tiles. It is well worth keeping your options open when choosing a new type of flooring tile for your home, as luxury vinyl tile is a great alternative to more traditional materials and offers many benefits.

Bathroom Flooring: Vinyl Floor Tiles Or Ceramic Tiles?

Filed Under: Buying

There are several flooring options for bathrooms that can be installed by anybody with a certain degree of familiarity with DIY, but two of the most popular ones are without a doubt vinyl floor tiles and ceramic (or porcelain) tiles. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages, and choosing one over the other will depend on your needs and DIY skill level.

Bathroom Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tile (or sheet vinyl flooring for that matter) is a popular choice for bathrooms for many reasons, but the main one is without a doubt its great pricing. Even luxury vinyl tiles are considerably more affordable than any other flooring material, and with adequate care and a proper installation can last for years.

Laying vinyl floor tiles is something that anybody can learn, as it’s a very accessible DIY project (however, in order to avoid having the bathroom out of use for days it’s worth getting help if you are new to DIY). Self-adhesive vinyl doesn’t even require the use of adhesive, and if you are after a traditional look for your bathroom you can also install vinyl tile with grout instead of as a seamless surface.

Laying Vinyl Flooring (Photo credit: Jacob Whittaker)

Once installed, vinyl can last for a few years as bathroom flooring, and it’s a very comfortable choice as, unlike porcelain or ceramic, it’s warm to the touch and can be purchased with effective non-slip coatings, perfect to avoid accidents after a bath. However, you will need to be careful about your cleaning methods, as harsh cleaners will take away its glossy appearance.

Ceramic Tiles For Bathrooms

Ceramic has always been a popular choice for bathrooms, and the fact that properly installed it can last for decades makes it a cheap choice in the long run. It won’t increase your home equity as marble or granite would, but it’s a good choice in the medium price range. Porcelain is also totally waterproof, immune to humidity and impossible to scratch, though it can crack if something very heavy lands on it.

In terms of cleaning, you can clean porcelain and ceramic with almost anything and it will still look good. This is one of the reasons it’s a material used in schools, hospitals or public places, as it can be disinfected easily. Vinyl is much more delicate in terms of handing.

Porcelain and ceramic flooring for bathroom has a beautiful, stone-like appearance and can look similar to more expensive materials such as granite. If you are after a classic look for your bathroom, grouted ceramic tiles will give it and if you are good at DIY you may want to try and install it yourself. However, keep in mind that botching the job can be expensive, and unless you measure things carefully you may end up with uneven rows of tiles.

If you are unexperienced at DIY, looking for a very cheap solution for your bathroom or want to create a really funky look with textures that aren’t found in ceramic, vinyl tiles are probably the best choice. If you have more money to spend, want a more classic look or want a DIY challenge, porcelain tiles are a classic that never goes out of fashion and will give you great service for years.