Guide to Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring: FAQs & Answers
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is a top choice for homeowners seeking a durable, waterproof, and scratch-resistant flooring option. But before you invest in LVP, there are common questions that many people ask. We’ve researched the most frequently asked questions on Google to provide you with expert answers.
What Should I Look for When Buying Vinyl Plank Flooring?
When shopping for LVP, pay attention to the wear layer thickness. A minimum of 12 mil is recommended, but if you have an active household with pets or children, consider 20 mil or higher for enhanced durability.
What Do I Need to Know About LVP Flooring?
LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Planks—a flooring option designed to mimic the appearance of natural hardwood while offering superior durability and water resistance.
What Is the Most Realistic LVP Flooring?
For the most realistic hardwood look, opt for darker-colored LVP. Hickory is a popular wood species that pairs well with deep stains. Mannington’s Adura Hickory LVP features beveled 5” x 48” planks and is an affordable yet stylish choice at 4mm thickness.
Can You Put a Refrigerator on Vinyl Plank Flooring?
While LVP is highly durable, heavy appliances like refrigerators can cause permanent damage if not handled properly. To protect your floors, place 1/4-inch plywood or underlayment sheets underneath before moving the refrigerator.
What Is the Best Thickness for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
For click-lock LVP, a minimum thickness of 5 mm is recommended. Thicker planks make installation easier by providing a more secure click mechanism. Keep in mind that thicker flooring may require additional transition adjustments between rooms.
Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Settle Over Time?
Yes, LVP can settle over time, but proper acclimation before installation is key. Leave the planks in the room for at least 48 hours to adjust to humidity and temperature levels.
Is LVP Good for Bathrooms?
Absolutely! LVP looks like hardwood but is designed to resist moisture, leaks, and humidity, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms—even with frequent steam exposure.
Does Luxury Vinyl Plank Need Underlayment?
One advantage of LVP is that it typically does not require underlayment because it already includes a built-in backing layer. Most LVP can be installed directly over tile, hardwood, concrete, and other hard surfaces.
How Thick Should Underlayment Be for Vinyl Flooring?
If your LVP requires underlayment, choose a thickness of 1mm to 1.5mm. This helps smooth out minor subfloor imperfections and adds a cushioned feel underfoot.
What Is the Best Cleaner for Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
For routine cleaning, use a pH-neutral cleaner to avoid dulling the finish over time. Avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, or abrasive cleaners.
We recommend Quick Shine Multi-Surface Cleaner—a pH-neutral, residue-free solution that’s safe for daily use. This cleaner is free from alcohol, ammonia, formaldehyde, and parabens, ensuring your floors stay clean and streak-free with every use.
Have More Questions About LVP?
Still unsure about your LVP flooring decision? Send us your questions, and we’ll do the research for you!
Good Afternoon –
I am in charge of senior apartments. We installed new LVP and had a resident use Quick Shine for a high gloss finish but went around the furniture. We would like to remove the shine to restore it back to the original finish. Could you please advise what we need to do?
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
We recommend using Quick Shine® Deep Cleaner to safely remove our Finish from your floors. This product was specifically developed to remove polymer and wax finishes without harming hardwood floors or other types of hard surface floors such as tile, vinyl, stone, marble, and laminate. It is also important to note that Quick Shine® Deep Cleaner can also be used to treat small imperfection areas of the floor without treating the entire floor.
Simply dilute the Deep Cleaner in HOT water and apply to the floor surface in small 5’ x 5’ squares at a time, let stand for a few minutes and agitate. Remove debris and build-up from each 5’ x 5’ area of the floor with a clear water rinse. For heavy buildup, you may need to increase the dilution of 1 cup per gallon to 3 cups per gallon. Deep Cleaner is concentrated, therefore one 27 oz. bottle will make roughly 2 gallons, which covers about 500 square feet and will not damage the sealant on hardwood floors. It is also important to note that Quick Shine® Deep Cleaner can also be used to treat small imperfection areas of the floor without treating the entire floor. After treating the small problem area let dry after rinsing and simply wipe a coat of the Quick Shine® Floor Finish on the treated area. This area will then blend in with the rest of the finished floor due to the advanced leveling agents in the formula. The Quick Shine Deep Cleaner is only available online at http://www.walmart.com, http://www.quickshine.net or by calling our Customer Service Center.