Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl Plank Flooring: Waterproof, Realistic & Built for Everyday Living

Vinyl plank flooring, often called luxury vinyl plank or LVP, gives you the look of wood with a surface that handles spills, pets and daily traffic better than hardwood. It's a common choice for kitchens, basements, family rooms and rentals, where real wood would need more care. How well it holds up depends on three things: the wear layer, the core and how it's installed.

Vinyl Plank vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank

"Luxury vinyl plank" is the industry name for thick, printed and textured vinyl planks, as opposed to older sheet vinyl. This collection includes all of them, from flexible glue-down planks to rigid-core click-lock floors. 

How Vinyl Plank Is Built

Every plank is layered. The top wear layer takes the scratches and scuffs. Under it sits the printed design layer, and below that the core, which gives the plank its stiffness.

Wear layer thickness is the number to check first. A 12 mil wear layer suits most bedrooms and living areas. For homes with large dogs, kids, or heavy traffic through kitchens and entryways, 20 mil holds up noticeably better. Our LVP wear layer guide explains the difference.

SPC, WPC and Flexible Vinyl Planks

Rigid cores hide small subfloor dips better than flexible planks. Flexible planks shows every bump if the floor isn't prepared.

Click-Lock vs. Glue-Down

Click-lock vinyl plank floats over the subfloor and is the usual choice for homes and DIY projects. Glue-down vinyl plank is bonded to the floor. It stays more stable in large rooms, commercial spaces, and areas with rolling loads like office chairs and carts.

Where Vinyl Plank Works Best

• Kitchens: handles spills and dropped water well. Use felt pads under chairs and wipe up grit, which scratches the wear layer over time.
• Bathrooms: the planks don't absorb water, but water can still get underneath at the edges and around the toilet. For wet bathrooms, see our waterproof vinyl flooring with sealed perimeter guidance.
• Basements: a good fit over concrete, but check the slab for moisture first and use the underlayment or vapor barrier the manufacturer calls for.
• Living rooms and bedrooms: WPC or an attached-pad plank feels warmer and quieter.
• Sunrooms and large windows: strong direct sun can fade some planks and cause expansion. Check the product's limits before choosing one for these rooms.

What to Check Before You Order

• Subfloor flatness: most planks need a flat floor within the manufacturer's tolerance. Uneven floors cause gaps and hollow spots.
• Order samples: printed wood visuals look different under your lighting.
• Order all material at once: add extra for cuts, usually more for herringbone or diagonal layouts.
• Check boxes on delivery: note damage on the delivery receipt and contact us right away.
• Plan installation separately: Floors Center sells flooring but doesn't install it, so share the product specs with your installer before ordering.

Compare planks from Shaw, Mannington, Karndean Design Flooring, Armstrong, Happy Feet International, Audacity and Parkay Floors. Brands differ in wear layer, core type, plank size and warranty, so compare those details alongside color.

FAQs

Q) Is vinyl plank flooring waterproof?

A) Most modern vinyl planks are waterproof, meaning the plank itself won't swell. Water can still get under the floor through seams and edges, so standing water should be wiped up and the subfloor kept dry.

Q) What's the difference between LVP, SPC and WPC?

A) LVP is the overall category. SPC is a rigid stone-plastic core that's hard and dent-resistant. WPC is a thicker foamed core that feels softer and quieter.

Q) Can vinyl plank go over existing floors?

A) Often, yes, over tile, concrete or wood, if the surface is flat, clean and solid. Deep grout lines and loose boards need to be leveled or fixed first.

Q) How long does vinyl plank flooring last?

It depends on the wear layer, traffic and care. A thicker wear layer lasts longer in busy rooms; the product's warranty is the best guide for each floor.

Q) Is vinyl plank good for pets?

A) It's a practical choice for pets because it handles accidents and wet paws. Choose a 20 mil wear layer and keep nails trimmed. No vinyl is fully scratch-proof.