What is LVP flooring?
LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank: a layered vinyl floor printed to look like wood, made to handle water.
The plain answer
A wood look on a waterproof plank.
LVP flooring is a plank made of layers. On top is a clear wear layer that protects against scratches. Under it is a printed image of wood, often with texture pressed in to match the grain. Under that is the core, which gives the plank its strength, and often an attached underlayment on the back.
Because the plank is vinyl rather than wood or fiberboard, water does not damage it. That is the main reason people choose it for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, rentals and homes with pets.
LVP, LVT, SPC and laminate, side by side
The names overlap, so here is what each one means.
- 01
LVP
Luxury vinyl plank. Vinyl in plank shapes that look like wood boards. The most common choice for homes.
- 02
LVT
Luxury vinyl tile. The same material in square or rectangular tile shapes that look like stone or ceramic.
- 03
SPC
Stone plastic composite. A rigid core of limestone powder and vinyl. Most click-together LVP sold today has an SPC core, which makes it stiff and stable.
- 04
Laminate
Not vinyl. A printed image on a fiberboard core. Harder against scratches, but water can swell it, so it belongs in dry rooms.
How LVP compares
The trade-offs at a glance.
| Floor | Water | Scratches | Can be refinished | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVP | Waterproof plank | Good | No | Warm and quiet |
| Laminate | Swells if soaked | Very good | No | Firm, can sound hollow |
| Engineered wood | Damaged by standing water | Fair | Yes, if the wood layer is thick | Real wood |
| Porcelain tile | Waterproof | Excellent | No | Hard and cool |
LVP is a strong choice where water and wear are the main concerns. Wood is the choice when you want the real material and the ability to refinish it later.
Where LVP is the right floor in a Los Angeles home
And where the slab under it matters more than the brand.
LVP suits kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, rentals and family rooms that see pets and children. It also works well when you want to go over an existing tile floor without removing it.
It is less suited to rooms with strong, direct sun all day, where some products fade, and to homes where you want a floor you can sand and refinish in twenty years.
In many LA homes the floor sits on a concrete slab, and LVP is thin enough that every dip shows through. A flat, dry slab matters more to how long the floor lasts than the brand on the box. That is why we check and level the slab before we install. See vinyl plank flooring installation for how we do it.
Questions about LVP
What is the difference between LVP and LVT?
The material is the same. LVP comes in plank shapes that look like wood boards. LVT comes in tile shapes that look like stone or ceramic.
What is SPC flooring?
SPC means stone plastic composite. It is a rigid core made from limestone powder and vinyl, used in most click-together LVP. It makes the plank stiff, stable and able to bridge small dips in the subfloor.
Thinking about LVP for your home?
Tell us the rooms. We will check the slab and help you choose a plank that fits.