PALM COAST TILE
Luxury vinyl plank flooring installation in Florida homes
Luxury vinyl plank, usually shortened to LVP, is a rigid plank with a printed wood-look surface and a waterproof core. It has become one of the most common replacements for carpet in Florida because it handles humidity, sandy feet and pets better than carpet or laminate, and it is softer and warmer to stand on than tile.
We install LVP alongside tile, and many customers end up using both: LVP in the bedrooms and living areas and tile in the bathrooms. If you are deciding between the two, the comparison further down this page may help.
THE BASICS
What to know before choosing LVP
LVP is sold as a simple product, and the planks themselves are. Most of the differences are in how it is installed and what it goes over.
Floating or glue-down
Most residential LVP clicks together and floats over the floor without being attached. Glue-down plank is bonded to the slab and is sometimes the better choice for large open areas or rooms with strong direct sun.
The slab has to be flat
A floating floor bridges low spots and rocks over high ones, which makes the joints flex and eventually separate. Leveling the floor first is the most important part of an LVP job.
Moisture from below
The plank is waterproof, but a concrete slab can still pass moisture upward. The manufacturer’s instructions set the limits and say whether a moisture barrier is required.
Room to move
Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature. A gap is left around the edge of the room and covered by baseboard or trim, so the floor can move without buckling.
PALM COAST TILE
LVP or tile?
Both work well in this climate. They suit different rooms.
Where LVP makes sense
Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways and home offices. It is comfortable, quieter than tile, faster to install, and it can often go over existing flooring that is flat and sound.
Where tile is the better choice
Showers, bathroom floors that get soaked, and outdoor or lanai areas, where vinyl is not suitable. Tile also lasts longer and is not affected by heat from large windows and sliding doors.
FREE ESTIMATE
Thinking about LVP for your home?
Call or text with the rooms you have in mind and what is on the floor now. We will measure and give you a free estimate.
THE JOB
What a luxury vinyl plank flooring installation involves
A typical job runs in this order.
Removing the old floor
Carpet, pad and tack strip come up quickly. Old tile takes longer to remove, and in some cases LVP can be installed over it instead.
Preparing the slab
High spots are ground down and low areas filled so the floor meets the flatness the plank manufacturer calls for.
Laying the plank
Planks are laid with staggered end joints, usually running along the longest wall or toward the main source of light. Door frames are undercut so the plank slides beneath them.
Trim and transitions
Baseboard or quarter-round covers the expansion gap, and transition strips join the LVP to tile or other floors at doorways.
AT A GLANCE
Luxury vinyl plank flooring installation at a glance
What an LVP job usually covers. Your estimate lists what applies to your home.
“Jonathon is very honest. He will give his opinion if you want it. He guided us in the right direction of purchasing LVP for our two spare bedrooms. I would definitely recommend him and his crew!!”
F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions
Can LVP be installed over existing tile?
Often, yes. The tile has to be flat, solid and well bonded, and deep grout lines may need to be filled so they do not show through. The added height also has to work at doors and appliances.
Is LVP really waterproof?
The plank is. Spills and wet mopping will not damage it. What it does not do is seal the floor: water that gets under the planks from a leak or flood can be trapped there, so a flooded floor still needs to be lifted and dried.
What affects the cost of LVP installation?
The area, what has to be removed, and how much leveling the slab needs. Stairs, a lot of doorways and new baseboards add time. The plank itself varies widely in price by thickness and wear layer.
Can LVP go in a bathroom or on a lanai?
In a bathroom it can, with care at the tub and toilet, although we usually suggest tile for a room that gets wet every day. On a lanai or anywhere outdoors, no. Vinyl is an interior product and does not hold up to direct sun and weather.
Do you install rubber flooring for home gyms?
Yes. We supply and install rubber flooring for home gyms and fitness spaces. Call or text for details.
CONTACT
Let’s talk about your project
Call or text with the room you have in mind and a few photos. Estimates are free, and we are open Monday through Saturday.
Request a free estimate
WHERE WE WORK
Where we offer luxury vinyl plank flooring installation
We install LVP in Palm Coast and throughout Flagler County, and in nearby parts of Volusia and St. Johns County.
Tile installation for bathrooms, showers, kitchens and floors in Palm Coast and across Flagler County. More than 15 years of tile work.