Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring has become popular for its great looks, durability, and ease of installation. Installing an LVP floor can be tackled by a DIY enthusiast in a weekend with the right tools and preparation. LVP consists of planks that are laid down over a subfloor and that typically interlock with one another to create a smooth surface. The planks can be left to "float" over the floor, or they can be attached to the floor with a water-resistant flooring glue. There are pros and cons to each approach and some debate as to which method is superior.
Glued LVP Pros
Using an adhesive to attach your luxury vinyl planks in place is a good idea for areas that see a lot of foot traffic or for industrial applications where the floor will have wheeled carts, wheelchairs, etc. passing over the flooring. With the adhesive method, you don't need to worry about planks shifting over time. Contact a supplier that carries a water-resistant flooring adhesive to learn more.
Floating Floor Pros
Installing a floating floor, where the planks are not fastened to the subfloor, is the other common method of installing LVP floors. Floating floors are easier for a DIYer to get done in a hurry. Leaving the floors unattached allows them to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Just be sure to leave a small expansion gap around the edges where the floor meets the walls. Floating floors are easy to remove when you decide you're ready to try a new flooring look.
Floating Floor Cons
While a floating floor is faster to install, there are a few things to watch out for. Since the LVP pieces are not attached with adhesive, foot traffic can cause the interlocking pieces to come unlocked, resulting in unsightly small gaps forming between planks. Another issue that some see with floating floors is warping or "cupping," where the edges of the planks bend upward over time in response to changes in temperature and humidity. Rooms that are not climate-controlled or that get a lot of direct sunlight should consider using the adhesive method.
Luxury vinyl planks make up an excellent flooring option that you can install yourself. Whether you use a water-resistant flooring glue or leave the planks "floating" should depend on a number of factors: foot traffic, expected changes to the floor in the future, and expected degree of temperature fluctuation in the room. Either way, you can't go wrong with LVP.