Frequently Asked Questions

Vinyl is a specific type of plastic. Vinyl flooring is a product made by layering different materials, including vinyl. The most common type of vinyl floor consists of 4 layers: a felt, fiberglass, or vinyl backing; a core layer; a decorative layer with the flooring pattern; and a final “wear layer” on top that protects the flooring from scratches and scuffs.

WPC vinyl This technically translates to wood-plastic composite vinyl flooring. However, many people also use the acronym to stand for waterproof core vinyl flooring. Both meanings are correct. WPC vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, and its core is made from a composite of plastic and wood. In the flooring industry, it’s referred to as engineered vinyl flooring. WPC is recommended for residential use since it is softer underfoot.

SPC vinyl SPC stands for stone-plastic composite or stone-polymer composite. Both of these terms are used interchangeably. SPC is also sometimes referred to as Rigid Core luxury vinyl flooring. That’s because the stone-plastic composite core in this luxury vinyl is ultra-dense. Like WPC, SPC is 100% waterproof and is also called engineered vinyl flooring within the industry. SPC is great for both residential and commercial use.

LVF vinyl This is the acronym for luxury vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is sort of the umbrella term that often encompasses WPC and SPC. LVF can also refer to vinyl that is not waterproof or rigid core, but that has a higher-quality visual, and usually a basic glue down or a lock installation mechanism.

LVP stands for luxury vinyl planks. These planks are made to be very durable, able to withstand high traffic, kids, and pets. Standard LVP consists of a vinyl core with a printed surface layer. It might have an attached underlayment, though not always, and it can either be glued down or floated with a locking mechanism. Some LVP is waterproof, with WPC or SPC cores.

Though there isn’t a defined industry standard for what “luxury” flooring is, you should expect top-notch visuals (typically wood-look), and a thick wear layer to protect the surface from wear and tear.

LVT is another word for luxury vinyl tiles. Like vinyl planks, you should expect the best of the best out of LVT flooring. Luxury vinyl tiles can stand up to the challenges of a busy home with pets and lots of traffic.

Luxury tiles are very durable and stylish, with high-quality, stone-look visuals, and even some realistic textures in some cases. More high-end LVT products will feature waterproof cores, attached underlayment, and a thick wear layer, though you won’t see these features with every single product. This is the acronym for luxury vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is sort of the umbrella term that often encompasses WPC and SPC. LVF can also refer to vinyl that is not waterproof or rigid core, but that has a higher-quality visual, and usually a basic glue down or a lock installation mechanism.

LVP is the acronym for luxury vinyl planks. LVP refers to the specific shape of the vinyl flooring shape – a plank. Luxury vinyl plank flooring often features a wood-look image and the plank format helps sell the look.

LVT is the acronym for luxury vinyl tiles. Luxury vinyl tiles often feature a stone-look image and mimic natural stone flooring. Like LVP, LVT refers to the specific shape of the vinyl flooring– tile. These can come in different sizes but tend to keep the standard tile shape.

Sheet vinyl is a multi-layer, durable flooring that’s easy to install and easy to clean. A vinyl sheet features a wear layer and a wear layer to protect it from scuffs and scratches, much like vinyl planks and tiles.

Vinyl sheets used to have a reputation for being “low-quality,” but those days are long gone. Popular sheet vinyl is made of quality materials and contains a fiberglass layer that lays the sheet flat and keeps it from curling. This fiberglass layer also allows sheet vinyl to be loose laid or installed using double-sided adhesive tape, instead of a more labor-intensive glue down installation.

Luxury vinyl sheets come with a huge range of stylish looks, including realist wood and looks, and more contemporary decorative surfaces. The best part? You get all of these benefits at an affordable price.

All vinyl flooring can be installed in basements, though some options will be more difficult to install. For example, a vinyl sheet that needs to be glued down will take more effort than a click-lock vinyl plank. You’ll need to make sure the cement subfloor is completely level, or thin flooring like sheet vinyl could show the imperfections through the surface and actually become damaged over time.

Yes, that is correct, and this is true of many click-together products, with or without adhesives. Even with floors designed to prevent water from slipping through the cracks as much as possible, when pooled water sits too long, or is pushed in and down with a mop, the water will get through the gaps and under the flooring. Don’t mop a click together floor. Use a rinse-free cleaner sprayed onto your Swiffer, then wipe. All floors can be cleaned, but it must be done in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

The click-together floors do expand and contract, but minimally, less than what is expected of laminates, to give a comparison. The Loose Lay planks are designed to not expand at all within normal room temperatures (between 65 and 85 degrees, for instance), so you wouldn't leave any gap between the flooring and the walls.

You only must if you are installing over concrete or over a crawl space. There you have to, and with other types of subfloors, it is simply an option. You can, but do not have to. I mention that because most floor padding, felt or foam, for example, comes with an attached moisture barrier, and that won't hurt anything even if you don't need it.

Vinyl plank flooring is extremely durable. It is also extremely stain, dent, and scratch-resistant. Vinyl flooring is made of shock-absorbent materials. In addition to adding to its ruggedness, this adds to the walking comfort.

All of our vinyl flooring here at Floors To Your Home is 100% waterproof. This means that in the event of a spill that remains on the floor too long, or a flooded basement, or some other water-related accident, the flooring will be completely fine after the water has been cleaned up. While the flooring itself is waterproof damage can be caused to the subfloor by water making it past the flooring joints.

Laminate flooring is coated with an aluminum oxide wear layer. This coating is extremely durable and will prevent pets from scratching your new laminate floor. Aluminum oxide *may* be the second hardest substance on earth after diamonds. The fact that it's even arguable is still good news, we think.

Vinyl flooring can be installed in any room in the house, including rooms at, above, or below grade (ground level). It can also be installed over almost any type of subfloor (concrete, wood, vinyl), as long as the subfloor is smooth and level. If the subfloor has imperfections, they may show through the vinyl.

No, they’re not. While both products are examples of resilient flooring, they are actually manufactured from completely different materials. While vinyl flooring consists of vinyl, felt and fiberglass, linoleum is made from natural materials such as linseed oil, tree resin, cork dust, and wood flour.