Luxury Vinyl Tile (commonly known as LVT) has become the fastest growing sector of the flooring industry in recent years. Not to be confused with vinyl rolls often used as cheaper options for covering bathroom or kitchen floors, LVT is often mistakenly referred to as Karndean or Amtico by those more familiar with the brands than the type of vinyl. floor itself.
Today, there are dozens of manufacturers offering this type of flooring, from basic and very affordable options from companies like Lifestyle Floors, which offers great value for money, plus hard-wearing, hard-wearing tiles, to Polyflor, which has excellent range for domestic use and also specialized in commercial applications. Karndean, and even more so Amtico, sit at the high end of the luxury vinyl tile market with some great products, while Moduleo is one of the fastest growing brands in the fastest growing sector of the industry.
Luxury vinyl tile is available in both stone tile and wood plank effect, providing the natural beauty of hardwood and stone flooring without the drawbacks. LVT is warm underfoot, suitable for underfloor heating; The tiles are resistant to water and wear, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms alike. Most provide slip-resistant properties, are easy to clean, and require little or no maintenance. The LVT wear layer is a general indication of the quality or expected life, from around 0.2mm for general household use to 1mm for heavy commercial or even industrial use. Many manufacturers offer wear resistance guarantees of up to 25 years.
In recent years technological advances have made the manufacture of this type of flooring more eco-friendly, many companies now offer realistic textures such as Moduleo ‘Registered Emboss’ technology which follows the knots, scars and grooves of the wood. pattern to get as close as possible to the look, feel and texture of real hardwood, while offering all the benefits of LVT flooring.
Luxury vinyl tile is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver and transport for larger projects. New developments have enabled a new click system similar to laminate, while the traditional glued method remains preferred for some applications, such as sunrooms and conservatories. . LVT can be installed by the skilled do-it-yourselfer, although a solid, smooth subfloor is required and is key to a successful and long-lasting installation.
LVT generally falls somewhere between good quality laminate and real wood or stone flooring in terms of cost, however the nature of the product means it has several benefits over all alternatives with very few drawbacks. An ideal flooring solution for those looking for a high-quality floor that is hard-wearing, waterproof and easy to maintain.
