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What is the difference between vinyl plank flooring and luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 06, 2026

Because it is a thicker product, luxury vinyl feels somewhat softer underfoot and has better sound-blocking properties than standard vinyl flooring. This is especially true of luxury vinyl with cork or foam underlayment layers built into the product.

Is vinyl plank the same as luxury vinyl?

LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks. Here are some more details on these two wonderful luxury vinyl flooring choices…

What's the difference between luxury vinyl plank and vinyl plank?

Luxury vinyl flooring is thicker and more durable than vinyl. While it is also susceptible to scratches, you can expect it to stand up to pets, kids, and footsteps. Since vinyl is a softer material than hardwoods it is also comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

What are the disadvantages of luxury vinyl plank flooring?

The disadvantages of vinyl floors

  • Cannot be repaired.
  • Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
  • No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
  • Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
  • Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

Is vinyl plank better than laminate?

Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don't forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.

15 related questions found

What type of flooring adds the most value to a home?

While new styles of luxury laminate flooring look beautiful, hardwood tends to be the best flooring to increase home value. Made of natural materials, hardwood exudes a luxurious aesthetic in any home whether it's old or brand new.

What is a good thickness for luxury vinyl plank?

The Lowdown on LVP Thickness

The most common thickness of LVP used in common households is 12 mil, but if your household is fairly active, or has a number of pets, a higher thickness is recommended – such as 20 mil. Most thicker planks, such as 28 mil, are used for commercial rather than household installations.

What thickness of vinyl plank flooring is best?

It's suggested to have a wear layer of at least 12 mil for residential spaces and 28 mil for commercial spaces.

What type of luxury vinyl flooring is best?

The best vinyl flooring to buy

  1. Tapi Risan Cinder LVT Flooring: Best budget luxury vinyl tile flooring. ...
  2. WallPops Comet Peel and Stick Floor Tiles: Best self-adhesive vinyl flooring. ...
  3. Tapi Sagano Piatra Click LVT: Best click vinyl flooring. ...
  4. Karndean Van Gogh Country Oak: Best wood-effect vinyl flooring.

How do I choose luxury vinyl flooring?

The thicker the wear layer, the better the overall quality and the longer the flooring will last. Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for the wear layer. As a rule of thumb, 8 mil is a good choice for a residential area with moderate traffic.

What are the different types of luxury vinyl flooring?

There are three main types of vinyl flooring: LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and sheet vinyl.

Is Luxury vinyl flooring any good?

LVT is the highest quality of vinyl flooring and is preferred by customers over VCT (vinyl composite tile) and natural materials because of it's texture and durability.

Do you have to put underlayment under vinyl plank flooring?

The only time we suggest underlayment under vinyl tile or plank flooring is if want to reduce the impact sound or sound transmission in your room. The additional underlayment under the floor will help to reduce the sound.

How long does vinyl planks last?

Vinyl floors can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on their quality and how they're installed and maintained.

Is 4mm vinyl plank flooring good?

In this case, the thicker the plank/tile, or sheet, the sturdier it is. The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.

Is luxury vinyl waterproof?

While many floor options boast to have water resistance, luxury vinyl is actually waterproof, making it ideal in all rooms, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Thanks to its multiple layers including a durable wear layer and rigid core, luxury vinyl can withstand moisture, heavy foot traffic, scratches and spills.

Is 6 mil wear layer enough?

The more MIL's a product has the stronger the wear layer is. So, a 6 or 12 MIL product will work for your home, but not for a commercial setting. A 20 MIL product will work for your home, AND work for a commercial setting.

What is the wear layer on vinyl flooring?

So What is the Wear Layer? Put simply, the wear layer is the top surface that provides the durability, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl flooring. The wear layer is usually a clear, urethane based coating that keeps the original appearance of the floor and provides easy maintenance.

Does luxury vinyl plank devalue a home?

You should also keep in mind that vinyl plank and tile flooring might not increase the value of your home as much as laminate flooring. However, vinyl flooring can still make all the difference in how long your floors will last, which could be vital as we head into a more competitive real estate market.

Should flooring be the same throughout the house?

There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.

Do home buyers prefer carpet or hardwood in bedrooms?

Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “Most buyers prefer hardwood. For selling purposes, it is better to have hardwood. If there is not hardwood in the home already, and it is cost prohibitive to put hardwood in, then in most cases, new carpet should be put in prior to resale. Buyers like tile flooring in the bathrooms.

Does vinyl plank flooring need a vapor barrier on concrete?

Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor. If you have any areas on a concrete subfloor with moisture concerns, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier underlayment that will not add any cushion to the planks.

Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?

Although vinyl plank flooring is well-known to be waterproof, it does not mean that liquids can seep through the cracks, grooves, or edges and become trapped under the planks, allowing mold to grow underneath your floors.

Do you need a vapor barrier for vinyl planks?

When moisture penetrates your flooring, it can cause mold, mildew, and the potential for water damage. A moisture barrier helps control the water vapor's movement to help protect your floors. Therefore, if you're installing floors in an area that sees moisture, even a little, a vapor barrier is needed.

What is the disadvantage of vinyl flooring?

Although vinyl plank flooring has exceptional qualities, there are some disadvantages. Vinyl plank flooring has a shorter lifespan than real hardwood floors, is not eco-friendly, is hard to recycle, emits VOC gasses (volatile organic compound), hard to repair, and has inconsistent qualities.