When looking at vinyl flooring you have probably heard various acronyms and two of the most common are LVT and LVP. These are both types of luxury vinyl flooring and it’s important to understand the difference when choosing your next flooring upgrade.
Below, I discuss these flooring types and show you that the main difference is stylistic and that both options are fantastic and can transform any room they are installed in.
What is LVT?
LVT = Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Luxury Vinyl Tiles are a type of hard flooring that mimics traditional surfaces like stone, concrete, and wood. The tiles are usually square or offset rectangular and are composed of multiple layers where the core is vinyl.
What is LVP?
LVP = Luxury Vinyl Planks
Luxury Vinyl Planks are also a type of hard flooring and mimic surfaces like hardwoods. The planks are usually much longer and narrower than LVT but are also composed of multiple layers with the main component being vinyl.
Which is the Better Option?
So, as you have probably guessed, the only difference between LVT and LVP is the shape and style of the panels. LVT flooring is tiled and usually square and usually mimics stone and concrete, whereas LVP flooring comes in planks and is usually narrow and rectangular and mimics hardwood.
That’s it. Everything else about these flooring types is the same including the components, layered design, and the manufacturing process. It’s purely an aesthetic difference so which is the better option depends on which style you like the most!
Considerations to Make When Choosing LVT or LVP
I hope you aren’t disappointed but this is the reality – the LVT vs LVP argument boils down to the shape and design of the individual panels. Therefore, if you are considering this type of flooring, you want to consider luxury vinyl flooring as a whole instead of concentrating on LVT or LVP. To help, I discuss the main considerations with this flooring type below.
Appearance and Design Options
LVT and LVP are available in many colours, styles, sizes, and designs and this is the area where you would choose between plank or tile. Would you prefer to emulate a traditional stone tile floor? If so, LVT is the better option.
Alternatively, perhaps you want to mimic a wooden floor in which case LVP is the better choice. Remember that LVP usually favours wooden colours and textures too, whereas LVT has more neutral greys and light greys available too and textures that mimic concrete and stone.
Installation Methods
Both LVT and LVP have several installation methods including click LVT flooring and glue-down LVT. The click method is relatively easy and you can do this yourself as no adhesive is required. The individual planks or tiles simply lock together and work as floating flooring.
In contrast, glue-down LVT or LVP uses adhesive to bond the tiles or planks to the subfloor. With either installation method, the subfloor must be in good condition and level otherwise this can cause warping.
The Wear Layer
The top layer of both LVT and LVP flooring is the wear layer. This is a transparent layer made from vinyl that adds protection and resistance. It protects the aesthetic layer and vinyl core but also prevents UV damage and is typically water resistant.
You can get different thicknesses of wear layers and the simple rule is – the thicker the wear layer, the more durable and better longevity the luxury vinyl flooring has.
Maintenance and Upkeep
The great thing about luxury vinyl flooring is that it is easy to maintain. Usually, the tiles or planks aren’t fully waterproof, but they are water resistant and thus you can mop the floor provided you don’t soak it with water.
Hoovering and dusting are also especially easy and the panels usually hold up well to wear and tear and shouldn’t scratch too easily.
Budget
Your luxury vinyl flooring budget will depend on the overall thickness of the panels, the thickness of the wear layer, and the installation method. Other than that, there isn’t much (if any) price difference between LVT and LVP flooring. Generally speaking, LVP and LVT are on par with carpet for cost, and less expensive than traditional hard floors like hardwood or stone.
LVT VS LVP – A Case of Personal Preference
To summarise – the only difference between LVT and LVP is the shape and style of the individual panels. LVT is tiled and usually square and eres towards mimicking traditional stone and concrete surfaces. LVP is rectangular planks and more frequently mimics traditional hardwood floors.
In terms of construction, composition, price, and availability, there is little to no difference and indeed both floor types use the same manufacturing process. Therefore, in the LVT vs LPV argument, it’s more a case of which style you prefer!
