Can Luxury Vinyl Be Installed In Kitchens or Bathrooms?

Whether it's time for a remodel or you are starting from scratch, picking flooring for the heaviest trafficked areas in your home is a tough decision.  The kitchen and bathroom will likely be where most spills and accidents happen. You want something with the highest water-resistance or even waterproof.  Flooring that falls into these categories is usually tile, marble, laminate, or vinyl.  Out of all these options, vinyl flooring is definitely the best choice when you are considering price and comfort.  Unless you are specifically going for a real marble/tile look, luxury vinyl offer this and more.  Hardwood is not ideal for bathrooms and kitchens because of the moisture issue, but with water resistant laminate and luxury vinyl, you can have the same hardwood look without the worry.  Laminate is not recommended to use in high water prone areas unless using a product that is clearly identified as water-resistant like Mohawk's Revwood Plus, or Shaw's Repel Laminate.  With vinyl, it’s made with completely synthetic materials so it won’t absorb much. It also is softer than tile or hardwood, making it more flexible.  This means it is easier to stand on for long periods of time and less likely to break items that are dropped on it (mugs, glasses, etc.). 

In addition to this, vinyl stays room temperature so you never have to worry about cold feet.  Tile and marble tend to stay colder so if you don’t like wearing socks/slippers, luxury vinyl is for you.  It comes in three main styles: tiles (LVT), sheets, and planks (LVP).  Tiles are better for the ceramic look but for mock hardwood, the sheet vinyl and LVP are the way to go.  Sheet vinyl tends to be a bit more difficult to place when you have to cut around areas like toilets and sinks.  Getting the cutout just right is time-consuming and oftentimes frustrating. They also cannot be easily replaced if one area has a scratch, the whole sheet area has to be redone.  Luxury vinyl planks are a better option here.  The individual planks make cutting around sinks, toilets, and counters much more manageable. They also make replacing certain damaged spots a breeze.  Just pop out the old plank and fit a new one in.  LVP’s waterproof/resistant abilities make them great for splash zones. Even with moisture from shower steam, these planks will maintain their quality. 

So if you are asking yourself, “should I use LVP in my home?” or even, “will this be good in the bathroom or kitchen?” the answer to both is yes!  Luxury vinyl planks are practically made for kitchens and bathrooms.  All their characteristics are what you look for when buying flooring for these areas.  From easy maintenance to waterproof or resistant features, everything about LVP fits the bill!  Here at Georgia Carpet Industries, we have many LVP collections so you are sure to find a design that suits your decor needs.  Request a quote today!