At a Glance
Vinyl Plank Flooring Compared: Is it the Right Choice?
Vinyl Plank Flooring Pros and Cons
What to Look for in Vinyl Plank Flooring
Our Picks: Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands We Recommend
If your flooring is starting to look worn and scratched, consider upgrading to vinyl flooring planks. This is an increasingly popular flooring option for its affordability, durability, and a variety of styles that suit households of all designs. Learn more about vinyl flooring planks, including how to style them, as we take a look at the top brands and products on the market right now in hopes of inspiring you to add new flooring to your whole home.
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Shop NowWhat is Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Vinyl flooring planks are made up of several layers of different materials that serve different purposes. Most vinyl flooring planks have a waterproof layer, a padded layer that makes it easy to walk on, a dent-resistant layer, and an aesthetic layer that mimics the look of hardwood. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors and textures, making it a great choice for homeowners looking for a specific look.
Vinyl flooring is easy to install, and in many cases, homeowners can install vinyl planks themselves, adding to the overall appeal of this flooring type. The planks are either glued down next to each other to create an even floor or are designed to lock in together to create a seamless installation experience. Compared to hardwood and tile flooring, vinyl flooring is an affordable option that’s engineered with durability to withstand the everyday life of today’s homeowners with pets and kids.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Compared: Is it the Right Choice?
One of the best ways to understand whether vinyl plank flooring is right is to compare it to other options. Two of the most frequent materials that homeowners compare vinyl to are hardwood and laminate. Each of these materials is useful in its own way. Let’s go over the pros and cons of each as we compare vinyl to these popular floor choices.
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Laminate
Laminate is made with synthetic materials that are fused together during the manufacturing process. While laminate is known for being durable and comes in a variety of colors, it is not as valuable as vinyl. While laminate is the more affordable option, a high-quality vinyl plank is prized over laminate any day.
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is one of the most expensive floor options a homeowner can choose. It incorporates different types of wood planks that are placed together across your floor. Wood floors are highly prized but costly to purchase and install. The trees have to mature and need to be harvested in a specific way for suitable planks to be the right durability. Consider vinyl if you are looking for an alternative to wood.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Pros and Cons
Like all forms of flooring, there are pros and cons to investing in vinyl. Here are a few opportunities and drawbacks that come with choosing this option.
✅ Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of finishes. Unlike hardwood, buyers you aren't limited to natural wood tones, and therefore, vinyl floors are easier to match a design scheme.
✅Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable options on the market. It is both waterproof and scratchproof.
✅Vinyl is generally cheaper than tile and hardwood, meaning homeowners can get the look a hardwood floor at a fraction of the cost.
✅In most cases, vinyl planks can be installed without professional help with easy-to-follow instructions that require little to no tools.
✅Vinyl planks are meant to last more than 10 years, so your floors will maintain their quality even as they age.
✖ Vinyl flooring might not increase your home values as much as hardwood floors.
✖ While vinyl is designed to be soft, it still isn't as comfortable to walk on as carpet.
✖ Although the lifespan of vinyl flooring is considerable, it’s less than that of hardwood, meaning homeowners will typically need to invest in flooring sooner with vinyl than hardwood or tile.
What to Look for in Vinyl Plank Flooring
While vinyl flooring is a great addition to almost any home, it's still important to research your options to choose the best planks for your living area. Follow these tips as part of our vinyl plank flooring buying guide to choose the perfect shade, brand, and installation method for your needs.
- Explore different shades: The first step to find the best vinyl plank flooring is to choose your preferred finish. Find a shade that complements the feel of the space you plan to install it in. Most vendors provide samples to take home to compare to the space.
- Look for durability factors: Make sure you choose vinyl flooring that is waterproof, scratchproof, and able to withstand your day-to-day foot traffic.
- Explore installation options: Decide whether you want to glue in your vinyl planks or prefer clip-in models. While snap-in-place flooring is convenient, it does run the risk of buckling, especially in moist environments or areas where there is constantly water on the floor.
- Read the warranty: Some vinyl brands have better warranties than others. Read the fine print to stay protected.
One of the most common questions in the purchase process is, “How much is vinyl plank flooring?” You can expect to pay between $2.50 and $13 per square foot, depending on labor. Hiring someone to install your planks is easier but will increase your project costs.
Our Picks: Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands We Recommend
There are multiple vinyl plank flooring brands to choose from. Two brands we recommend are COREtec and Shaw.
- COREtec vinyl plank flooring is known for its durability and diversity of colors, which means you can find the perfect shade for your home.
- Shaw is one of its top competitors and is making a name for itself in the market.
One of the best ways to choose between COREtec and Shaw vinyl plank flooring is to look at the different products on the market. Here are three options from each of the two brands that showcase their range of looks and innovation.
COREtec® Classics Carolina Pine Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring
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What makes COREtec of the best vinyl plank flooring brands? See for yourself with this warm option that’s great for living rooms. Manufactured with a waterproof foam core, this flooring repels spills to prevent warping from of humidity. The underlayer is attached cork for a comfortable surface to walk on. This comes in a traditional wood color that would look great in a farmhouse style living space.
COREtec® Classics Deep Smoked Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
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This is a great example of how vinyl floor planks come in a variety of colors. The dark vinyl plank flooring gives any space in the home a luxurious feel at a price point lower than hardwood. These dark floors are both scratch-resistant and designed to hide any imperfections. By installing dark floors in your home, you can invest in lighter furniture, like cream sofas and white bed frames.
COREtec® Classics Fidalgo Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
This shade comes from the Originals collection by COREtec. It promises to be waterproof, kid-proof, and pet-proof for a carefree flooring option that stands the test of modern living. Put this flooring to the test by installing it in your high-traffic areas that are constantly worn out by shoes and running feet. This rich dark brown looks just like hardwood without the high cost.
Shaw® Floors 5Th And Main Metropolis 12 Capital Vinyl Flooring
If you love the idea of making your home look warm and rustic, pick up these vinyl floor planks by Shaw. These vinyl floor planks are designed to look like reclaimed barn wood, so your home will feel warm and cozy even on the coldest days. Just because they look like reclaimed wood doesn't mean these planks are delicate. You can still run around on them or push furniture across the room without scratching the floors.
Shaw® Floors Floorte Antica HD Plus Calcare Vinyl Flooring
This is a great option if you are interested in light gray vinyl plank flooring. These planks incorporate a variety of different colors that work particularly well with white, black, and grey furniture. The gray oak would look wonderful in a coastal home or farmhouse-style space. Shaw is the best brand of vinyl plank flooring if you are interested in light plants and gray hues.
Shaw® Floors Floorte Distinction Plus Barrel Oak Vinyl Flooring
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If light-colored vinyl plank flooring isn’t your style, look into the darker shades manufactured by Shaw. This deep option comes from the Floorte Collection, a luxury line from this brand designed for the ultimate vinyl flooring experience. This is a great way to invest in luxury vinyl planks while adding waterproof floors to your home.
Vinyl flooring is an unsung hero in the home design world. These floors come in a variety of colors and styles which means the right shade is available for your home. Vinyl floors are easy to install, waterproof, durable, and affordable. What more could you want out of flooring?
If you are ready to update your floors, stop by Liddiard Home Furnishings for the best flooring Tooele has to offer. Not only do we have a wide selection of flooring options but our helpful staff will make sure you get the perfect floors for your home. Stop by today and let us help you turn your house into a beautiful living space.
Why Trust Liddiard Home Furnishings?
For over 65 years, Liddiard Home Furnishings has been providing Utah with premium home furnishings. This family-owned business has worked to deliver a better kind of shopping experience to the greater Salt Lake City area. Whether it’s the carefully laid out showroom or the outstanding customer service, when you shop at Liddiard’s, you’ll feel like family. The team at Liddiard has crafted a catalog full of incredible products made by brands with reputations for quality. Shop online or visit our showroom to discover what makes Liddiard Home Furnishings so unique.
Shop Vinyl Floor Planks at Liddiard Home Furnishings
For the home furnishings you need, visit Liddiard Home Furnishings in Tooele, UT. You’ll find the best prices when you shop flooring online. Check out Liddiard reviews, and if you have questions, our friendly product experts are always happy to help you learn more about the best vinyl floor plank brands — whether you call us at 435-882-0964 or use our online chat feature. Visit our Tooele showroom today!
Learn More: 6 Perks of Luxury Vinyl Flooring