Choosing the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring
This is a sponsored post for Provenza Floors about the best vinyl plank flooring. All opinions are my own.
When shopping for luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP), there are lots of confusing options to choose from. We’ve gone through the process of shopping for LVP twice now, and over 80,000 people have come to this post to learn how to choose the best luxury vinyl plank flooring. I’ll teach you the 4 main things you need to look for so you get exactly the flooring you need.
We had luxury vinyl plank (LVP) in our last house, and I LOVED it! It can be used in any room, including the kitchen and bathroom because it’s waterproof and scratch resistant. It’s been three years since we purchased flooring for our last house, and back then we didn’t have many options. There are so many different kinds to choose from now, so I had to do some research on how to choose the best vinyl plank flooring. I thought I’d share my findings with you and show you the brand we chose.
First, here are some fun “before” pictures. I don’t understand what the deal is with that random patch of hardwood in the entry, and the carpet was really dirty! We are thinking about doing the first step and bottom landing in vinyl plank as well. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in the front door, so I want it to look nice.
This is my craft room, off the main entry.
The dining room is just to your left from the entry. It’s carpeted.
Here’s the kitchen with large tile flooring.
The tile continues down the hallway, into the bathroom. The door on the right goes to a closet with more carpet.
And then finally the family room with carpet. And yes, the blinds match the wood flooring in the entryway and the kitchen cabinets. A nice orangey-brown. Don’t worry, those are coming down ASAP. The tiles on the right are a gas fireplace hearth. Those are getting torn out too.
See what I mean about the patchy flooring? So many transition strips! I can’t wait to have one flooring throughout.
How to Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring
When choosing vinyl plank flooring there are a few components that should play into your decision.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Material
You will find that there are two common types of LVP: wood plastic composite (WPC) and stone plastic composite (SPC). This tells you what makes up the core of the flooring. SPC is more rigid where WPC is a little softer and quieter underfoot. Both are durable and waterproof, so there’s really no right or wrong here. We ended up with a WPC flooring, which is nice because my feet tend to hurt walking around on hard floors all day.
What is the best Vinyl Plank Flooring thickness?
The thickness of LVP tells you how thick the actual board is. This usually varies anywhere from 4-8 mm. Very thin planks are not going to be good quality. So how thick should LVP be? Anything over 5 mm is going to be your best bet for quality and durability.
Is thicker vinyl plank better?
Yes, but only to a point. As long as the board is at least 5mm thick, you should be good to go. It’s the wear layer that matters the most for longevity.
LVP Wear Layer
The wear layer on LVP is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a layer on top of the board that protects it from wear and scratches. Shopping around, I noticed that most LVP on the market comes in two wear layer thicknesses: 15 and 20 mil. The best vinyl plank flooring comes with a 20 mil wear layer. With 4 kids and high traffic areas, wear layer is something that is very important to me. I want something that is going to resist scratching, so I didn’t look at anything less than 20 mil.
Best Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation Method
Luxury Vinyl Plank can be made as a glue down or click lock, floating floor. We didn’t even come across any glue down vinyl when we are shopping, so I think most people are floating theirs. There are pros and cons to both, but we didn’t really consider gluing it down. Floating floor is easier to install, so it can be more cost effective. It’s much easier to remove when the time comes to do so someday, and you can even float it over some types of existing flooring.
Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?
If you are installing flooring over a concrete foundation, a moisture barrier will usually be recommended. While the moisture won’t necessarily damage the flooring itself, it can build up and cause the flooring to buckle and lift. Always read the installation instructions from the flooring manufacturer as different flooring will have different requirements.
What is the best LVP flooring brand?
After taking all of these things into consideration, we finally chose a brand of flooring. We found that Provenza MaxCore Waterproof LVP meets all of our requirements, and has SO MANY beautiful colors and styles to choose from! It has micro and painted bevels and variations between planks that make it look like real wood. With a waterproof WPC core, an underlayment pad attached, a 7-8 mm thickness, and a 20 mil wear layer, it was the perfect choice for our home. We looked at so many different brands, and I absolutely LOVE this flooring! I would choose it again and again.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Style / Color
Last but certainly not least, you need to choose a color. This has been the thing I agonized over the most. I feel like when choosing finishes for a remodel, you should choose flooring first, and all other choices should revolve around that. Such a big decision! I love Provenza’s Moda Living collection, so I found a retailer that had samples of First Crush, Soul Mate, Soft Whisper, Finally Mine, and Sweet Talker.
After seeing the samples in my house, I narrowed it down to First Crush and Finally Mine. They both have the same pattern, and it’s just what I wanted; something that looks natural but not with too many knot holes. First Crush (left) is more gray, but still has a little warmth. Finally Mine (right) is warmer, but still a little gray, not too yellow or honey colored. I love them both! (To see our final flooring decision check out my Provenza Vinyl Flooring Review.)
So now I need your help! Which one do I choose? We are painting the walls a very light gray, and the kitchen cabinets have already been painted white. Our countertops are currently a very dark, almost black granite, but I might switch those out eventually. Leave me a comment and help me pick one. I’m horrible at making decisions, so I need all of the help I can get!
Click here to take a look at at all of all of the beautiful flooring options that Provenza Floors has to offer, and check them out on Houzz to see some beautiful photos and flooring inspiration.
Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVP) FAQs
Hardwood flooring adds the most value to a home. It’s a classic staple, but also continues to be one of the most expensive flooring treatments you can choose. When we sold our last home that had LVP, the appraiser did not add any value to our home for having it. LVP was a newer thing at the time, so hopefully things have changed since then.
1. While vinyl plank flooring is beautiful, you still don’t get the exact look and feel that hardwood flooring gives. Basically, you can tell it’s not real hardwood, but it’s no more fake than laminate flooring would be.
2. Vinyl plank can discolor with non-slip rug use. If you’ve ever had sheet vinyl turn yellow from a bathroom rug, you know what I’m talking about here. You must use rugs that don’t have a backing or say they are non-yellowing to be safe.
3. Vinyl plank can discolor with UV damage, so it’s best it doesn’t get exposed to direct sunlight daily.
They are basically the same thing, but luxury vinyl plank looks like a wooden plank, and luxury vinyl tile looks like a tile.
Rigid vinyl plank is a type of luxury vinyl plank (LVP). There are two types of LVP: flexible and rigid. Flexible LVP is usually a glue-down product and is more flexible. Because of this, your subfloor must be very level so the imperfections don’t show on the surface. Rigid LVP normally clicks together like laminate and is installed by floating over the subfloor. It’s rigid, thicker, more durable, and easier to install than flexible LVP.
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This was extremely helpful. Going with Provenza Concorde Oak “Smoke Amber’.
Thanks so much
I would go with “finally mine” because I tend to decorate with grey tones in lots of areas and a total grey floor, grey walls, grey other decor would just be too much grey for me. I like the more natural color of the wood just for the floor.
Hi,
They both are nice choices, but I’ll go with finally mine to break the monotonous since your wall is already grey. Do you know where I can get the price info? are they lock-in system too? Thanks for sharing.
The lighter one on the right. I installed almost the same color in my sewing room & it’s beautiful. My walls are a very light aqua/teal and the grey goes great. Either way I’m sure you will enjoy your new house!!
I also like the warmth of one on the right. I’m making a decision about LVP right now too and saw your first post about Paradigm. Right now I like the color Willow – the plank thickness is 7mm and wear layer is 12 mil plus a 1.5mm water proof core attached. I’m more limited because I only want a LVP with a flush stair nosing. Now that I’m seeing your comments about Provenza MaxCore LVP, I’m questioning my decision and need to figure things out in the next day or two. Do you know what type of stair nosing your flooring has? Love your posts!
All of Provenza’s waterproof products have flushed stairnose and all details can be found on their website on the “Resources” tab: https://provenzafloors.com/resources
We are looking at this brand of vinyl plank for our living room too. I’m trying to find out where it is manufactured—did you happen to find that out in any of your research? I prefer the darker one btw?
They are made in China.
I like them both, but I would choose First Crush. If you have pets that shed, the darker color shows the dust and hair more and unless you plan to dust mop the floors every day, I’d go with the lighter color. I am guessing that you will leave the baseboards white so that would break up all the gray. It will also brighten the room, especially the dining room and your craft room which could tend to have more shadows because of the smaller windows. Best wishes on the remodel and congratulations.
Beautiful large room, the darker flooring would make a good contrast with the gray walls. All the best.
First let me say you are going to have a beautiful home, regardless of which color you choose. My personal preference is the First Crush as I like to add my colors via decorations and window dressings. That said, I can’t wait to see your finished flooring.
Finally Mine – it’s warmer and will give a contrast to the grey walls.
I like the darker one it blends with grey and allows you a broader palette range for the rest of your decor. Good luck, how exciting for you and your family.
Your gray paint has a lot of cool blue in it that might not work well with the lighter floor. Works better with the contrast of the darker floor.
I like the lighter one. However, I will make one comment learned from years of experience. With children, dogs, cats and a messy husband who never removed his boots, mid toned flooring hides dirt and hair the best! Lighter and darker flooring shows the most dirt and hair the most. I love my light wood kitchen floor but it shows everything. I am stuck with very dark hardwood floors in my living room, and it shows every speck !!
@Vivian, I have a question for you. I’ve also got hardwood floors that come up to my kitchen. I’m trying to pick a flooring that compliments the hardwood but goes with white cabinets. I’m not sure what color counter top to go with either. I’ve got to decide within a week.
I think that the darker color will look nicer.
The one on the left
Like them both and although the left one might be the choice for some, I like the one on the right in the pic.
Either one and you will have a beautiful floor. Congratulations on your new
house. Have fun with your decorating.
I like the darker of the 2 but it depends on your furniture color and wood pieces you have.
Love your house pictures.
Lighter colored one.
Would do to the one on the left. Mine is a little more grey.
It doesn’t show dog hair or dirt. I love how quiet it is and so easy to clean. We built a little house in retirement and we have the same in all rooms. What ever you chose, you will love it!
I like the Finally Mine. With the walls being a light gray, this would stand out more. I love your new house, but not crazy about carpet either!
Good luck!
Trisha
I’m trying to decide between the same two colors. I picked up both samples, today. I lean toward First Crush, but then I move the samples to another room with different lighting and I start to lean towards Finally Mine. It is so hard to decide, but honestly I don’t think you can go wrong with either one!
Oh how funny that you have the same colors! I’m having the same problem moving them around. I put them somewhere, took photos, and both of them looked exactly the same. Haha! I feel the same way… both of them are great, so we can’t go wrong.
Were you able to make a decision ? I’m still staring at my samples. ? I think we are going to go with First Crush, but I haven’t been able to make that decision official yet. Lol.
We went with Finally Mine. Should be posting pics of it in the next couple weeks. Let me know if you want some sneak peeks. 😉
My vote is for First Crush
Since I love wood flooring, I wood leave it in and go with the darker hue. Besides, the darker hue is a richer, warmer color and much more inviting.
One on right……appears warmer.
Having done this same remodeling with gray walls, i would select the warmer as too much gray just gets toooo drab and cold. With them mixed (in the light colors you are choosing) gives you way more options on the rest of the remodel. They are both beautiful and I would have chosen one of those also. Good luck. It’s so fun but I also did lots of research on the costly items.
I would go with the darker flooring in the picture on the right. I think the darker color would hold up better over time and be less likely to show wear.
I like the darker sample. Not seeing it in the sunlight could change my mind but I would be concerned that the grayer tile would bot much gray if your walls are also gray. I have found for myself my first choice is usually the one I should go with. Good luck!