A Brief Overview of Multilayer Flooring: LVT, WPC, SPC, and Other Types
Do you know what “multilayer flooring,” or MLF, is?
You’re not alone if you’re not. It’s a word used to characterize a relatively new class of flooring made out of multilayer vinyl materials.
What Is Included in Multilayer Flooring?
The category, which comprises flooring solutions with a stiff core, is rapidly changing. A few of such goods go by the following names:
LVT or LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Planks.
Wood Plastic Composite, or WPC, features an enlarged PVC core.
Solid PVC at the center of Stone Plastic Composite, or SPC
As the market develops and producers release new goods, there are more. MGO, for instance, has a mineral core.
There are layers in every multilayer flooring product.
Maybe it should be clear. But these vinyl-based goods are all multilayered. More precisely, an upper wear layer that guards against moisture, UV rays, dents, and scratches.
You would struggle to tell whether you are standing on stone or wood by simply glancing at the flooring thanks to a vinyl covering that exhibits gorgeous images and even texture.
A central layer
Typically, a substance like foam, rubber, or cork is used on the bottom layer to provide stability, cushioning, and sound absorption.
Two cutaway samples of items available at Floor Decor Design Center are shown here.
COREtec Floor covering
COREtec flooring is among the first in the category. Take note of the image below, which has four layers. Cork makes up the bottom layer.
Flooring made of Aquatec
Take note of the five different layers in the instance of Aquatec flooring. The bottom one has rubber cushioning in it.
The 9 Advantages of Several Layers of Flooring
Here’s where it becomes exciting to consider multilayer flooring for your house. Why? because it has so many advantages for homeowners. These nine are a good place to start.
1. Flexibility of Installation
Multilayer flooring can be installed in spaces that other flooring kinds, such wood, cannot. To put it another way, it can be mounted over concrete or suspended wood above, on, or below grade.
Because it is dimensionally stable and inert, it can be put in damp environments without swelling when exposed to water. It doesn’t need extension strips in huge rooms because it doesn’t expand or contract.
Nevertheless, prior to installation, you must still make sure your subfloors are dry, clean, and level.
A floating floor is an additional option to glue-down installations.
2. Resistance to Water
Bathrooms, mudrooms, family rooms, basements, and kitchens are no problem for multilayer flooring products like LVT flooring, WPC, and SPC. All of the goods are resistant to water. You won’t have to worry about water seeping through the floor to the backing if you ever spill water on your floors. Check out the Diana Collection: Waterproof Flooring
3. Comfort in Soles
Multilayer flooring is cozier, softer, and more comfortable underfoot than natural stone or tile. That’s because of the bottom layer’s extreme resilience.
Safety and comfort go hand in hand, and these floors typically have flame retardant and slip-resistant surfaces.
4. Magnificent Images
This is the part where you can play around with the visuals of multilayer flooring endlessly!
The remarkable advances in digital technology have made it possible to find perfect replicas of natural materials. High-quality images not only depict the material’s appearance, but they also give it depth through textures and finishes.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) can be used for any project that can be completed with porcelain tile or natural stone.
With LVT, you can achieve any goal you can with real hardwood flooring.
There are several options available, including concrete appearances, shiny flooring, metal-look floors, marble, slate, and hardwood floors.
5. A Wide Range of Design Choices
There are many options available to you in the visuals. Include a selection of sizes and designer patterns as well.
Size Selections
“Won’t I be limited as to the size tiles or wood planks I want to use if I choose LVT, SPC, or WPC?” is frequently one of the first issues that designers and clients ask me.
That has a straightforward response: “Absolutely not.”
Select from 12 x 12″, 12 x 18″, 18 x 18″, or 12 x 24″ choices.
Wood boards are available in the following sizes: 3 x 36″, 4 x 36″, 6 x 36″, 7.25 x 48″, and even 9 x 48″ (the latter two sizes come at an additional cost).
The choices for sizes are virtually endless.
Creative Patterns
Certain patterns for flooring are very popular and seem to last forever.
For a little higher price, a “package” floor can include key insert layouts, parquet, random plank, herringbone layouts, and many more. The end product is superb precision-cut floors that are ready for expert installation after being made.
The company offers a variety of products that you may choose from, and once you order the right quantity of total square footage, everything is pre-cut and prepared for a glue-down installation. (The best substrates are concrete or smooth wood subfloors.)
6. Using Medallions from LVT
Hardwood flooring manufacturers have been offering gorgeous medallions, or themes, that look great in formal living rooms, foyers, and even as the center piece of a master bedroom.
What do you think? With LVT and multilayer flooring, you can accomplish anything you can with wood.
Standard size stock designs are available from numerous vendors. These are often precisely cut, laser-jet motifs available in both traditional and contemporary styles. Leading manufacturers offer design teams on hand to collaborate with you to realize your vision whether you need a custom medallion or custom size. Each and every design theme can be unique since CAD drawings are created for your approval and samples of LVT wood are given.
7. Sturdiness of Flooring
Floors are subject to wear and tear, particularly in areas with heavy activity and in which misuse and abuse occur. It is possible to find a multilayer flooring solution that is resilient to damage. For this reason, these goods are frequently utilized in both residential and commercial construction. This device can be used in a variety of settings, including workplaces, home gyms, basements, kitchens, hospitals, and retail establishments. Its lifespan is more than 15 years.
Because of its extreme durability, scuffs, dents, and stains don’t usually cause too much trouble. You can unwind and have peace of mind knowing that your flooring is protected by those specific wear layers.
8. An Affordable Flooring Choice
The fact that multilayer flooring is reasonably priced is possibly its greatest feature. Compared to the cost of other materials, it produces accurate and rich looks more affordably while offering all the performance benefits.
9. Low Maintenance
Remember that maintaining and caring for multilayer flooring is simple. In essence, mopping and sweeping handle anything that comes up in your house!