LVP questions
Luxury vinyl plank, answered without the sales angle.
These are the questions Treasure Valley homeowners actually ask us during a measure. Service-specific questions live on the individual service pages.
Choosing luxury vinyl plank
- What is the difference between LVP, vinyl plank, and luxury vinyl?
- They largely describe the same category. Luxury vinyl plank is a plank-format vinyl floor, usually with a rigid SPC or WPC core, a printed design layer, and a clear wear layer on top. Luxury vinyl tile is the same construction in a tile format. Older flexible vinyl plank without a rigid core is a different and much less forgiving product.
- Is LVP really waterproof?
- The plank is. The core will not swell if water sits on the surface, which is why it works in kitchens and baths. The floor assembly is not waterproof — water can travel through the seams to the subfloor beneath, so a sustained leak still needs dealing with promptly.
- How thick should the plank be?
- Most rigid-core residential products fall between 4 mm and 8 mm. Thickness affects rigidity and underfoot feel. It does not affect durability, which is governed by the wear layer thickness measured in mils.
- Does LVP scratch?
- It can. The wear layer resists abrasion well, but grit dragged under furniture or heavy pet claws can mark it. Felt pads under furniture legs and a doormat at every exterior door make a measurable difference, and a heavier wear layer helps in traffic lanes.
- Can LVP be refinished if it wears through?
- No. Unlike wood, there is nothing to sand back to — the design layer is printed. Once the wear layer is breached the plank has to be replaced, which is why wear layer selection matters at the point of purchase.
Installation and subfloors
- How flat does my subfloor need to be?
- Most rigid-core LVP specifies roughly 3/16 inch of deviation over a 10-foot span, though your product's instructions are the authority. That is measured with a straightedge on the bare subfloor, not judged by eye.
- Can LVP be installed over tile?
- Often yes, if the tile is well bonded, sound, and the grout lines are narrow enough or filled. Wide or deep grout joints need filling so the planks are supported continuously. Loose or cracked tile should come out.
- Can LVP be installed over carpet?
- No. Carpet and pad compress underfoot, which leaves the locking edges unsupported and causes seam failure. Carpet, pad, tack strip, and staples all have to come out first.
- Do I need underlayment?
- It depends on the product. Many rigid-core planks come with an attached pad, and adding a second layer under them can void the warranty. Where underlayment is used, it handles sound and minor texture — not flatness or moisture.
- How long does LVP need to acclimate?
- Manufacturers publish a period, commonly in the range of 24 to 48 hours in the conditioned space where it will be installed. Rigid core is far more stable than wood but still benefits from reaching room temperature before it is locked together.
Living with an LVP floor
- How should I clean LVP?
- Sweep or vacuum regularly with the beater bar off — grit is the main enemy. Damp mop with a cleaner the manufacturer approves. Avoid steam mops, wax, oil soaps, and abrasive pads, all of which can damage the wear layer or the finish.
- Will direct sunlight fade my floor?
- Prolonged direct UV can cause fading and, on dark planks, meaningful surface heat gain. In a heavily glazed south- or west-facing Treasure Valley room, window film or shades protect both the colour and the floor's dimensional stability.
- Can a single damaged plank be replaced?
- Usually. A floating floor can be disassembled from the nearest wall back to the damaged plank and rebuilt. A glue-down plank can be cut out and replaced. The hard part is matching — keep a few spare planks from the original order.
- Is LVP good with dogs?
- It is one of the better hard-surface choices. It tolerates accidents, it does not swell, and it gives reasonable traction if you choose a textured finish. Claws will eventually mark any surface, so a heavier wear layer is worth the difference.
- Does LVP feel cold in winter?
- It is warmer underfoot than tile and cooler than carpet. WPC-core products feel noticeably warmer than SPC. Some rigid-core products are approved over radiant heat, which resolves the question entirely — but the product has to be rated for it.
Working with us
- What areas do you serve?
- The Treasure Valley — Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Garden City, Middleton, and Emmett. If you are just outside that list, call and ask; we will tell you honestly whether we can schedule it.
- Do you supply the flooring or do I buy it?
- Either works. We can source product for you, or install material you have already bought. If you are supplying it, share the product name and installation instructions early so we can plan prep and underlayment against the actual specification.
- How do I get an estimate?
- Send the details through the estimate form or call. We follow up to arrange an on-site measure, because square footage from a listing is not enough to price prep, and prep is the item that moves the number most.
- Will you tell me if LVP is the wrong choice for my room?
- Yes. There are rooms where laminate is better value and rooms where engineered wood is worth the premium. We would rather say so at the measure than install a floor that is wrong for the space.
Still have a question?
Call or send it through the estimate form. If LVP is the wrong answer for your room, we will say so.