Home flooring opinions

coolerifyoudid

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Feb 8, 2013
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We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.
 

AgronAlum

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Jul 12, 2014
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We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.

You will be happy with LVT. Don’t skimp on the cost. Cheap floors always look cheap and wear faster.
 

Cyclonepride

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We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.

How big are your dogs? I have LVP in my kitchen, dining, living room and entry, with three small dogs (under 15 lb), and they haven't left a scratch or stain.
 

coolerifyoudid

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Feb 8, 2013
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How big are your dogs? I have LVP in my kitchen, dining, living room and entry, with three small dogs (under 15 lb), and they haven't left a scratch or stain.

Cats, actually. They chase each other around like they are speed-freaks. Our current wood floors were already in need of replacing, but they are showing the effects of their claws.
 

kansascy

Active Member
Apr 28, 2006
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Wichita, KS
How big are your dogs? I have LVP in my kitchen, dining, living room and entry, with three small dogs (under 15 lb), and they haven't left a scratch or stain.
I think you would be happy with LVP. As was noted, don't skimp on price. The price will be dependent on how well made the locks on the edges are made and also how thick the wear layer is. With dogs (or fast cats) you'll want a 20-22 mil wear layer. Also keep in mind that the individual plank or tile are water proof, but the floor will not be. The seams still allow liquids to get through. This might not be an issue for you, but it is one of the most common misconceptions about LVP.
 

Cyclonepride

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Cats, actually. They chase each other around like they are speed-freaks. Our current wood floors were already in need of replacing, but they are showing the effects of their claws.

I'm honestly not sure about cats, but we haven't had any complaints in that regard (my company sells flooring). I did have my dishwasher replaced, and the dude drug it all over the place and somehow didn't scratch it.

Overall, I love the stuff. Soft under foot, and looks exactly like it did when I put it in 5 years ago or so.
 
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tman24

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Feb 6, 2008
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what are a good brand to go with? we are looking at getting new flooring as well, but dont have any idea where to start. Probably doing lvp.
 

kentkel

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Apr 12, 2006
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We JUST installed LVP in the two living areas, dining room, kitchen, two bedroom hallways & 2nd bathroom. We absolutely love it. Here are a couple pics (the second pic with the blue wall is an area that is still in the process of being decorated).
IMG_0682.jpeg

IMG_0684.jpeg
 

Cychl82

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We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.

As a builder I recommend LVT or LVP every time. The only issues that can arise are if the subfloor was not done with a level. You wont be disappointed, but I also recommend that product with anyone other than MSI. If you need any suggestions please PM me! Good luck!
 
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Cychl82

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what are a good brand to go with? we are looking at getting new flooring as well, but dont have any idea where to start. Probably doing lvp.

Royal Flooring is top notch, also recommend Heritage on Merle Hay.
 

NickTheGreat

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We did LVP about a year ago in our Kitchen/Dining. I really like it.

I grew up in an old farmhouse with real hardwood floors, and we were replacing tile in these rooms, so the LVP feels like it's made of plastic. Because it is. it feels softer, squishy-er almost. Once I got over that, i really like it. It takes a beating, and isn't nearly as cold underfoot as the tile. Stairs appear to be a little bit weird, as they glued a nosing strip on, apparently they didn't make a LVP stair tread.

But we have an entryway/hallway/formal living room that we're likely going to do maybe this spring, and will only be looking at LVP for it.
 
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CYEATHAWK

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Aug 26, 2007
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We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.

If you have 2x10 joists at 16 o.c. that is more than enough to handle the weight of stone. There is live weight(snow on a roof) and dead weight(flooring). As long as your span is no more than 15 feet with the 2x10's you should be fine. I did commercial slate in our house....about 3,000 pounds over 600 sp. ft and had no problem. Anything less that 2x10 I wouldn't do it.

Nothing against vinyl I put it in one of my customers apartments all the time. The new stuff snap stuff is great as for durability and is cheap and easy to install. But it's not stone......not real i.e. travertine/slate. Ceramic is okay......just cold. Real stone like real wood floors absorb heat from the room in the winter to make it livable. And real stone has the real ability to raise the value of your home.

I know the cost of real stone and installation might be prohibitive.....which of course is the main concern of most everyone's budget. But thought I would throw a shout out to stone because far too many people rule it out as an option only for very expensive homes when it is not.
 
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coolerifyoudid

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Feb 8, 2013
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KC
We did LVP about a year ago in our Kitchen/Dining. I really like it.

I grew up in an old farmhouse with real hardwood floors, and we were replacing tile in these rooms, so the LVP feels like it's made of plastic. Because it is. it feels softer, squishy-er almost. Once I got over that, i really like it. It takes a beating, and isn't nearly as cold underfoot as the tile. Stairs appear to be a little bit weird, as they glued a nosing strip on, apparently they didn't make a LVP stair tread.

But we have an entryway/hallway/formal living room that we're likely going to do maybe this spring, and will only be looking at LVP for it.

We are still debating on how to do the stairs since we have two exposed sets of stairs and were told that the nosing can be challenging based on the options we choose. We are trying to decide whether to do a runner-style or just go fully carpeted, but we'll definitely go with carpeting for the tread to avoid the "slip factor" of tile.
 

cycub51

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We did LVT and it’s been great. No scratches or dents and we’ve dropped numerous glass dishes and have a psycho 3 year old that had done his darndest to destroy it
 

throwittoblythe

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Aug 7, 2006
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Minneapolis, MN
Spend money to get the good LVT, don’t go cheap. I put cheap stuff in my house just before we listed, I think I paid $1.80/SF at menards. It looked fine and performed well with our large dog. However, it was LOUD. Our dogs claws clicked very loudly on it because the surface was hard. I was glad we were moving and I didn’t have to listen to that clicking for years.
 

Lexclone

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i used LVT on our kitchen. I used Armstrong’s Luxeplank with fasttak (self adhesive). It’s a great product, and I am very happy with it. Stands up to our two cats, easy to put down and durable. I agree with the OPs: spend the money and don’t go cheap.
 

CYEATHAWK

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Aug 26, 2007
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We are still debating on how to do the stairs since we have two exposed sets of stairs and were told that the nosing can be challenging based on the options we choose. We are trying to decide whether to do a runner-style or just go fully carpeted, but we'll definitely go with carpeting for the tread to avoid the "slip factor" of tile.

Don't worry about vinyl on your stairs. Don't do it. Get wood treads, stain or porch paint them to go with what colors that are in your flooring.....mosaic tile the risers then run a nice solid carpet runner up the middle. Find the right color contrast and it will look stunning.
 

Gonzo

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Mar 10, 2009
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Behind you
We need to update the flooring in our house. We're replacing the wood floors in our dining room and kitchen as well as the the old berber in our living room. While we're at it, we are replacing the banisters, balusters and railings.

I'm leaning towards LVT (luxury vinyl tile) versus wood or porcelain tile. I'm not necessarily against going with wood floors again, but the LVT seems to hold up better with pet claws and stains. And with the weight of porcelain tile, I'm pretty sure we'd need to reinforce our floor if we went that route. I'm not trying to tear up the ceiling of our finished basement to do that.

Does anyone have any experience with LVT? Most of the reviews I've read have been very positive. I'm curious if anyone has had any problems with it that I'm not considering.

Yep, we did our basement in LVT planks. I agree with previous poster who said don't skimp on quality. Ours was ideal for basement since it has PVC core, and yes it's held up great against scratches and stains with two teen daughters beating the hell out of it. I don't think LVT planks come as thick as wood or laminate, I'd suggest going with as thick as you can get just to make sure it feels solid and you don't feel little bumps/flaws underneath. Good luck.
 

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