LVT advice

LVT is a relatively new product pioneered by Amtico and Karndean, in recent years there is now far more choice of product as new manufacturers enter the market.

LVT floors look like real wood or stone with a huge collection of different designs and finishes. It offers practical benefits over real wood or tiles, it is waterproof, is incredibly durable, it is warmer and softer than tiles and laminate and is ideal for commercial and residential installations

Luxury vinyl tiles are made from multiple layers of PVC vinyl. The PVC is mixed with various compounds to effects the hardness. The reason luxury vinyl tiles are so thin is due to their high density and strength. 4mm of compressed vinyl is much stronger than 8mm of laminate or wood, so there is no need to make them any thicker. They are more than strong enough to use in heavy traffic commercial installations!

The key thing to look at in an LVT is the wear layer which is what gives the product its longevity, the higher the traffic the thicker the wear layer should be. 

Many of the LVT's we stock have a 25-30 year domestic use guarantee.

You can also choose between different types of LVT:

Click LVT which sits on an underlay is quicker to install and can be used with slightly imperfect sub floors however it needs an expansion gap (which allows the floor to expand and contract) this needs to be hidden under either the skirting boards or a beading.

LVT with Inbiult underlay is very similar to the click LVT but benefits from a integral underlay. it is thicker but gives better sound and thermal insulation.

Fully adhered LVT is stock with adhesive to the sub floor. This is the most common installation method but requires a very flat sub floor.

Always follow the manufacturers recomended installation guide, specifically ensure you acclimatise your flooring prior to instalation.

Sub floor preparation is crucial to getting a good finish with your LVT make sure your floor is stable, flat and dry before instaling LVT.