Buying Guides · 6 min read
LVT Flooring Pros and Cons: The Honest Version
Reviewed by our team, led by Adam Williams, Managing Director
Luxury vinyl tile has become the floor most UK homeowners ask us about first. There are good reasons for that. It shrugs off water, it copes with children and dogs and it can pass for oak or stone at a glance. It is not perfect, though. LVT needs a well-prepared subfloor, it can be marked by sharp or heavy point loads and it cannot be sanded back like real wood. Below we set out the advantages and the drawbacks as we see them after years of fitting it, then explain how to choose a floor that keeps the good points and sidesteps the bad ones.
In this article
Key Takeaways
The Advantages of LVT
It copes with water
Vinyl does not swell, rot or warp when it gets wet. That alone puts LVT ahead of laminate and wood in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and cloakrooms. A glue-down floor has tightly closed joints bonded to the screed, so spills sit on the surface until you wipe them away.
It is warm and quiet
Compared with porcelain or stone, LVT feels noticeably warmer on bare feet and it does not echo. Footsteps, dropped toys and dog claws are all quieter on vinyl than on tile or laminate, which matters in flats and open-plan homes.
It looks convincing
Modern LVT is printed from photographs of real timber and stone, then embossed so the surface texture follows the pattern. Bevelled edges on each plank add the shadow lines you would see on a wooden floor. From standing height, a good LVT is very hard to tell from the real thing.
It is easy to live with
A soft brush or vacuum and a damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner is all most LVT floors need. There is no oiling, waxing or grout to scrub.
It suits underfloor heating
Thin glue-down planks pass heat through quickly, so the room warms up fast. Most LVT is rated for wet or electric systems up to a surface temperature of 27C.
It comes in almost any pattern
Plank, herringbone, chevron, basketweave, parquet, stone tiles and even marble are all available in vinyl. Laying patterns that would be costly in solid wood become realistic options in a kitchen or hallway.
Damaged planks can be replaced
If one area is badly scratched or burned, a fitter can lift and replace individual glue-down planks without redoing the whole floor. Keeping a spare pack from your order makes this easy.
The Disadvantages of LVT
It can dent
Vinyl is resilient but not indestructible. Stiletto heels, the narrow legs of a heavy dresser or a dropped cast-iron pan can leave a mark. Felt pads and wider furniture cups spread the load and prevent most of this.
The subfloor has to be right
Glue-down LVT is thin, so any bump, crack or ridge underneath will show through over time. That usually means a smoothing compound or plywood overlay before fitting, which adds time and cost. Click floors are more forgiving but still need a flat base.
It cannot be sanded
Once the wear layer is worn through, the floor cannot be refinished the way solid or engineered wood can. The answer is to choose a wear layer that matches the traffic in the room, so it never gets that far.
Strong sun and heat can cause trouble
Conservatories and rooms with large south-facing glass can heat the surface enough to make vinyl expand. Prolonged direct sunlight can also fade some colours. Blinds help. So does choosing a glue-down floor with a suitable adhesive.
Rubber-backed mats can stain it
Some rubber and latex mat backings react with vinyl and leave a yellow mark that will not clean off. Use mats with a woven or vinyl-friendly backing instead.
Cheap LVT looks cheap
A thin wear layer, a repeating print and a flat, shiny surface are giveaways. Buying on price alone is where most disappointment with vinyl comes from.
It is a plastic floor
LVT is made from PVC, so if you want a natural material for its own sake, engineered wood is the better match. Vinyl does last a long time when it is looked after, which offsets some of that.
How LVT Compares at a Glance
For a deeper look at each pairing, see LVT vs laminate, LVT vs engineered wood and glue-down vs click LVT.
| Factor | Glue-down LVT | Click SPC | Laminate | Engineered wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Excellent | Very good | Limited | Poor |
| Warmth underfoot | Good | Good | Fair | Very good |
| Dent resistance | Fair | Good | Good | Fair |
| Subfloor tolerance | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Can be refinished | No | No | No | Yes |
| Noise | Quiet | Fairly quiet | Can sound hollow | Fairly quiet |
How to Get the Pros Without the Cons
- Match the wear layer to the room. 0.55mm is our minimum for kitchens, hallways and family rooms. Go to 0.7mm where there are big dogs, young children or a door straight in from the garden.
- Invest in preparation. A smooth, dry, level subfloor is the single biggest factor in how a glue-down floor looks in five years.
- Protect from point loads. Fit felt pads to chairs and tables and use castor cups under heavy furniture.
- Manage sunlight. Blinds or UV film on large glazed areas keep surface temperatures down and colours true.
- Choose texture. An embossed grain hides fine scratches better than a smooth finish and gives more grip when the floor is wet.
- Keep a spare pack. It makes future repairs a quick job with a perfect colour match.
Our Recommendation: GF LVT
Our own brand is designed around the points above. GF Glue-Down LVT comes in a 0.55mm tier for everyday homes and a 0.7mm tier for the busiest rooms, both with a lifetime residential warranty. Popular choices include the pale Coniston Ash, the warm Rydal Honey Oak and the 0.7mm Borrowdale Grey Oak Herringbone. GF by Associated Weavers adds glue-down planks and parquet at 0.55mm. If you would rather avoid heavy subfloor work, GF Click SPC has a rigid core and built-in underlay, in designs such as Kingham Oak. Every GF floor is priced on its product page and samples are free. Our GF SPC vs GF Glue-Down LVT comparison helps you choose between them.
Try Before You Commit
The easiest way to judge texture, warmth and dent resistance is to stand on the floor. Our 24/7 Altrincham Smart Showroom has GF next to the premium LVT brands, laid at full size. Book a door code online and come in at a time that suits you.
Who leads our guides
Managing Director, Grosvenor Flooring
Adam Williams is Managing Director of Grosvenor Flooring in Altrincham. He sets the standards our guides are written to and guides the team that reviews them, so the advice matches the floors we supply, the manufacturers' specifications and the way the fitters we work with install them.
More about Adam →Floor Finder
Not sure which floor to choose?
Answer a few quick questions about your room, who uses it and the look you like. Floor Finder picks the designs that suit you best, with prices per m² and a rough cost for your room.
Start Floor FinderFrequently Asked Questions
What is the main disadvantage of LVT?
For glue-down LVT it is the need for a very smooth subfloor, because imperfections can show through. For all LVT, the risk of dents from sharp or heavy loads is the drawback people notice most.
Does LVT scratch easily?
Not with a suitable wear layer. A 0.55mm or 0.7mm floor resists everyday scratches well. Grit is the usual cause, so a good doormat and regular vacuuming make a big difference.
Is LVT bad for resale value?
A quality LVT in a kitchen or bathroom is generally seen as a practical upgrade. Buyers tend to notice dated or damaged flooring more than the material itself.
Can you put LVT in a conservatory?
Yes, as long as it is planned properly. Use a glue-down floor with an adhesive suited to higher temperatures and fit blinds to limit direct sun on the surface.
How long does LVT last?
Many years in a home when the wear layer suits the room and the floor is looked after. GF Glue-Down LVT carries a lifetime residential warranty and GF by Associated Weavers a 25-year warranty.
Is LVT worth the money?
For rooms where water, comfort and easy cleaning matter, we think so. It is the floor we fit most often in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Further Reading
GF by Associated Weavers
Premium-spec glue-down, fairly priced
0.55mm wear layerPlank & parquet25-year warranty
Shop the range →