LVT flooring advice
Luxury vinyl tile, usually called LVT, gives you the look of wood, stone or patterned tiles in a practical floor that is easy to live with. From a simple oak plank to herringbone or a decorative border, there is plenty of scope to make it your own.
At Austins Flooring Department in Newton Abbot, we can help you compare flooring for your home and talk through the practical details. Bring your ideas to the showroom and we will help you explore the options.
Choosing the design is the enjoyable part. Choosing the right product and preparing the floor properly are what help it perform well. We can talk you through both, with your room, lifestyle and budget in mind.
Gluedown or click LVT
Gluedown LVT is bonded to a prepared subfloor with adhesive. It offers flexibility for laying patterns, borders and design details. Because the tiles and planks follow the surface beneath them, a smooth, sound base is particularly important.
Click LVT, including many rigid-core ranges, joins together to form a floating floor. It can be useful for refurbishment projects and may need less smoothing work on a suitable existing surface. The base still needs to meet the product’s requirements for flatness, stability and moisture.
A floating floor also needs room to expand around its edges and fixed objects. Some products have an attached underlay; others require a specific separate underlay. Additional cushioning should only be used where the manufacturer permits it.
Why floor preparation matters
Before recommending a specification, we need to understand what is underneath your existing flooring. A concrete or screed base may need moisture testing and a smoothing compound. Timber floors may need securing and a suitable plywood overlay. The work depends on the condition of the floor and the LVT chosen.
Preparation is part of the cost of the finished floor. It is worth allowing for it from the outset, along with thresholds, changes in floor height and any doors that may need attention.
Kitchens bathrooms and water resistance
Many LVT ranges are suitable for kitchens, utility rooms and ordinary bathrooms. Water-resistant or waterproof planks do not, by themselves, make the whole room watertight: joints, edges, the adhesive and the floor beneath still matter. Spills should be wiped up promptly. Wet rooms and areas regularly exposed to standing water need a specifically suitable flooring system.
Underfloor heating and sunny rooms
Many LVT products can be used with compatible underfloor heating. Tell us about your system before choosing so the flooring, adhesive and temperature limits can be checked together. Rooms with strong sunlight or large temperature changes also need careful product selection.
Choosing a floor for everyday use
The wear layer helps protect the decorative surface. Its thickness is one useful part of the specification, alongside the manufacturer’s room suitability and guarantee. The overall thickness of a plank alone does not tell you how well it will wear.
LVT is durable, but grit and dragged furniture can scratch it. Regular sweeping, suitable entrance mats and protective furniture pads all help. Clean with the products and methods recommended for your chosen floor; avoid steam cleaning unless the manufacturer expressly allows it.
Let us help you compare the options
Visit the showroom to see the designs and textures, or contact us to discuss your project. We can explain measuring, preparation and fitting options before you order, and advise on the care and maintenance of your new flooring.