Luxury vinyl flooring is designed to be a tough and practical alternative to the floor coverings it mimics. While a luxury vinyl plank looks like hardwood, it is thin and lightweight. In addition, LVP is usually designed to interlock, so installation is time-efficient. The same is true for LVT, which looks like traditional tile materials as well as hardwood. Elco Floor Coverings offers a large selection of LVP and LVT. In addition, we boast a 5,000 square foot showroom in Myerstown, Pennsylvania.

Four layers

Luxury vinyl is a synthetic material that is composed of four layers. First, the backing layer protects the subfloor and the core layer; next, a transparent wear layer covers the stone, ceramic, or wood image layer. Finally, some brands include an extra protective coating over the wear layer.

Wear layer

A thick wear layer, which resists abrasion and stains, ‘equals’ a durable floor covering. Thicker is better because once this surface layer is worn down, the image layer becomes damaged. A 20-mil thickness is best for all areas in the home, including those that are heavily used.

Core layer

Plank and tile lifespan is also affected by the makeup of the core layer. Pet- and child-friendly LVP and LVT are waterproof brands usually include a wood plastic composite (WPC) or a stone plastic composite (SPC) core. This flooring tolerates standing water.

Installation

A floor constructed of luxury vinyl planks usually floats above the subfloor. Since no attachment to the subfloor is needed, the floor can easily be placed over a cement slab or existing floor. Luxury vinyl tile is more likely to come in glue-down designs. Loose lay flooring butts together.

Elco Floor Coverings offers free flooring estimates to make it easy for you to begin your luxury vinyl flooring upgrade. In addition to residential and commercial installation, we offer custom area rugs, design consultation, and more. Our installers travel through Pennsylvania’s Lebanon, Berks, and Lancaster counties. The area includes the communities of Myerstown, Reading, Lititz, Lebanon, and Hershey.