Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT)

LVT is a type of vinyl flooring designed to mimic natural materials like real wood and stone with realistic textures. It's made up of multiple layers, combining durability and fantastic finishes with impressive design flexibility. Learn more in our guide to choosing LVT for each room and 10 things you need to know before buying vinyl flooring.

All luxury vinyl flooring is water resistant with some ranges being 100% waterproof, making it the perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. The waterproof core and tight installation system prevent moisture damage, helping LVT stay stable even in areas exposed to spills or steam. See our range of the best bathroom flooring for water resistance.

Yes. Many homeowners fit luxury vinyl tiles themselves, especially click systems. They’re designed for straightforward installation without glue. Glue-down tiles are more demanding and usually best left to professionals who can prepare the subfloor for a flawless result. Learn about LVT Click vs Glue Down installation options.

Sheet vinyl flooring offers an affordable way to cover large spaces, but LVT flooring provides more design choices, greater durability, and easier repairs. With options that mimic a real wood and stone floor and a layered build that includes a tough wear layer, LVT is often the better long-term investment for homes. Explore our guide to LVT vs Sheet Vinyl to learn more.

Both are durable, but LVT is fully waterproof and more flexible in design, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms. Laminate flooring can be cost-effective and stylish, but it’s not always suitable for wet areas, although waterproof laminate is available. Read our LVT vs Laminate comparison to learn more.

Yes. LVT is very low-maintenance - a quick sweep and a damp mop are usually enough. Avoid steam cleaners and harsh chemicals. For the best results, follow our LVT cleaning and care guide and see how to remove stains from your vinyl flooring.

Traditional stone flooring is cold underneath your feet, and hardwood flooring will warp with water, that’s why LVT is the perfect choice for bathrooms. It’s 100% waterproof, so it won’t swell like a sponge. But here’s the Best4Flooring pro tip: if you’re doing a bathroom, go for Rigid Core (SPC). It handles those sudden temperature swings from a steamy shower much better than the standard flexible stuff, which can occasionally gap if the room gets too humid.

Think of the wear layer as the floor's "body armour." A 0.3mm layer is fine for a bedroom where you’re mostly in socks. But if you have a 30kg Labrador or kids charging down the hallway, it'll look scratched and dull in two years. In those high-traffic zones, you need a 0.55mm layer. It’s the "commercial grade" sweet spot that keeps the floor looking new even when life gets messy.

Maybe, but don't get scammed into buying it twice. A lot of modern click LVT has a built-in underlay (usually a grey or black foam on the back). If yours has that, adding another layer underneath is a disaster — it makes the floor too "bouncy," which eventually snaps the click-locks. For glue-down LVT flooring, you don't require underlay.

LVT flooring is surprisingly affordable and can be as little as £15 per m². You may need to factor in fitting costs depending on the type of flooring you choose (glue-down vs click-LVT), your subfloor and the complexity of your space.

Yes. Most LVT flooring is compatible with underfloor heating, adding warmth and comfort underfoot. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines on maximum temperature to ensure the system works effectively with your new flooring. Read more in our flooring guide to underfloor heating.

No, glue-down luxury vinyl requires no underlay. Click system LVT may benefit from built in underlay or separate underlay to absorb sound and smooth out minor subfloor issues. Choosing the right option improves comfort and helps your floor last longer. Our underlay guide explains the options.

With proper care and installation, LVT is a complete flooring solution that can last 15–25 years. Its long life depends on the range, the thickness of the wear layer, and the conditions of the room. Brands like Karndean and Moduleo back this up with generous warranties, adding confidence when choosing your new flooring.

There are so many fantastic designs available, from oak effect and herringbone planks to stone, marble, and slate effects. These styles bring the sophisticated look of natural materials without the maintenance. Explore all of our LVT styles for ideas and inspiration, and don't forget to order your free samples!

Luxury vinyl tiles are durable and stylish, but they need a smooth subfloor for the best finish. Heavy furniture can leave dents, and sharp objects may mark the surface. Glue-down LVT can be trickier to install without experience, find everything you need to know in our vinyl flooring buying guide.

Standard vinyl is basically a big sheet of plastic, so yes, if the sun beats down on it, it expands. We’ve seen plenty of "DIY disasters" where the floor has buckled into a wave. If you’ve got south-facing patio doors, we recommend using SPC Rigid Core, as it will stand the test of time and heat.

The "fake" look happens when the texture doesn't match the picture i.e. you see a wood knot, but it feels smooth. That’s why our experts focus on EIR (Embossed in Register). With EIR, the machine stamps the texture exactly onto the grain of the print, in simple terms, when the light hits it, you see actual depth and shadows, making it the difference between a floor that looks like a photo of wood and one that actually feels like a piece of timber.