LVT/LVP/CORK FLOORING
Luxury Vinyl Tiles & Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVT & LVP)
Waterproof flooring is exactly what is sounds like. This flooring option is designed to be waterproof and is great in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements or anywhere you would expect water to potentially ruin a traditional floor. This flooring type avoids water damaging your flooring altogether by protecting the sub-floor from water as well. Two great examples of waterproof flooring options are luxury vinyl tiles and luxury vinyl planks. These are similar; tiles are square or close to square and planks more closely represent traditional flooring types. Square tiles may make more sense in bathrooms, kitchens etc where you would normally expect marble/stone tiles. Planks are better for more open spaces as they enhance the flow of large areas.
LVT/LVP Pros & Cons
This flooring option is cost-effective, easy to install, durable, waterproof and looks great. It is essentially the opposite of hardwood. The downside is that it doesn’t add value to a home and cannot be refinished. However, with prices being so low, replacing the floor is more cost-effective than refinishing traditional floors. In actuality, with modern technology, this flooring option is quickly replacing laminate flooring because of its benefit of being waterproof versus laminate and more budget-friendly; while looking exactly like laminate.
Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is a controversial flooring option. Some people love it and some people hate it. Cork is commonly used in pinboards and those are spongy and weak. In stark contrast is cork flooring, which has been treated to be harder and stronger. If you love the look, cork has some surprising qualities that make it a great flooring option.
Advantages of Cork
- Hypoallergenic – mold and mildew resistant
- Quiet – does not echo underfoot
- Energy efficient – insulating quality
- Sustainable – harvested from tree bark, which regrows
- Can be refinished
Cons
- Temperature sensitive
- Color may fade in sunlight
- Dents/Scratches
- Needs to be resealed every 3-5 years
- Trendy
- May appear uneven