Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is a durable material that’s warmer and quieter than laminate flooring. If you’re thinking about installing LVT flooring in your bathroom, there are some factors about the flooring and your needs to consider first. At Preferred Flooring in Breese, Illinois, we can help you assess the best flooring for your needs and install it for you.
What is LVT Flooring?
LVT is a type of flooring that looks like wood, stone, or other natural elements. It’s made from multiple layers, making it durable and robust, so it’s a good choice for high-traffic areas, such as restrooms. The bottom layer is vinyl, followed by the printed design layer with a protective coating.
Pros for Using LVT in Bathrooms
The durability and resilience of LVT flooring are a pro for use in the bathroom because they resist scratches and stains. Some of the other advantages include:
- It’s easy to clean and maintain. Sweeping and mopping are all it takes to keep this floor up, allowing for quick clean up.
- It’s water and moisture-resistant. Unlike hardwood and laminate, it doesn’t swell, twist, or warp when wet, which floors often do in a restroom.
- It has insulation built in. This flooring option is more comfortable and warmer underneath your feet than stone, cement, or tile.
- It’s affordable with a long lifespan. The upfront cost is lower than many other flooring types, making LVT a budget-friendly choice.
Cons for Using LVT Flooring in Bathrooms
While there are several advantages to installing this flooring, there are also cons of LVT in bathrooms. Even though it’s durable and scratch-resistant, it can scratch under the right circumstances, and it’s not reparable. You can also puncture LVT, so avoid dragging something heavy across the floor, like a new countertop, toilet, or tub. Other disadvantages can include:
- It’s slippery when wet. This is the biggest con of LVT bathroom flooring because nobody wants to slip when they get out of the tub, dripping wet.
- It’s not eco-friendly. It takes a lot of energy to make, releases many Volatile organic compounds or VOCs, and isn’t recyclable.
- It requires particular installation. Since we at Preferred Flooring handle initial installation for you, it’s not a concern. However, if a contractor or someone replaces the floor, you need specialty glue, or water can get underneath the LVT and destroy your subfloor.
- It doesn’t increase home value. In part because of its affordability, the overall value of your home stays the same when you install this flooring.
LVT Flooring in Bathrooms in Breese, Illinois
Now that you know the pros and cons of LVT flooring in the bathroom, you can decide if it’s right for you. Here at Preferred Flooring in Breese, Illinois, we carry several flooring materials to suit your needs. Contact us or visit our store to see what’s in stock. Ask our knowledgeable staff your questions or for help making selections.
We proudly serve Breese, Highland, Mascoutah, New Haven, Trenton, Bond County, Clinton County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, St. Clair County, and Washington County, Illinois.