Are you thinking about replacing a portion of flooring in your home and already have some hardwood in your living room or bedrooms you want to keep? If you want the flooring in your home to flow seamlessly without replacing your original wood, but you desire a more lifestyle-friendly product, you may want to consider Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).
What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Flooring comes in two varieties: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). LVP is an alternative to natural wood, mimicking the appearance of genuine hardwood flooring, but it’s water and scratch-resistant.
What makes vinyl flooring more durable and water resistant? The answer is layers! Vinyl flooring, whether it’s tile or plank, is composed of several different layers: the base layer, pattern or design layer, and a top surface layer. The base layer provides the foundation and the cushioned underfoot feel. The pattern or design layer contributes to the aesthetic of the vinyl to mimic natural wood. Lastly, the top surface is a transparent seal with a protective coating that is scratch-resistant and has a built-in stain guard.
Matching LVP to Existing Hardwood
There are three points to consider when selecting LVP to coordinate with your existing hardwood and create a cohesive look throughout your home.
The Species of the Wood
Is your existing hardwood flooring oak, pine, or hickory? Once you have this information, you can look for LVP that mimics the same species. If you don’t know the species of your current flooring, all is not lost! You can still find a close match by either having a sample of your current hardwood with you or bringing LVP samples into your home to put next to your current flooring.
Variation in the Wood
Does your current wood have lots or color and movement, or is it consistent in tone? This information will help get you started on coordinating flooring options. If the hardwood in your home doesn’t have a lot of contrasting color variation, you can begin your search by looking at similar products.
Character Marks on the Wood
What character marks do your existing floors consist of? This can include knot holes, stress cracks, wire brushing, or bevels. This is a key component in matching the hardwood floors in your home. If your flooring has lots of knots and ridges, you don’t want to install an LVP that looks completely smooth and seamless. This will be a dead giveaway that you installed two completely different types of flooring.
Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVP or LVT)
LVP is made to be lived on. It is known for its durability and resistance to moisture, which makes it the perfect kid- and pet-friendly flooring choice. It is the modern, advanced flooring solution that has top-of-the-line performance, costs less than traditional hardwood, and is a better fit for busy families.
With help from one of our Flooring Experts, replacing your flooring with a clean, cohesive LVP can be a simple process. Here at Dalton Floor Tailor, we can help you determine the three points listed above to find the perfect LVP for your home — an LVP that closely resembles your existing hardwood flooring. Call us or schedule an appointment today, and begin your path to better floors!
