Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring: The Complete Guide to Uses and Applications
Your neighborhood flooring experts at Club Ceramic Cambridge help you understand when and where luxury vinyl plank flooring makes the most sense for your home.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring has become one of the most popular flooring choices for homeowners across Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.
But with so many flooring options available, how do you know if LVP is the right choice for your specific needs? At Club Ceramic, we’ve helped hundreds of local families navigate this decision, and we’re here to share our expertise.
This comprehensive guide explores the best uses and applications for luxury vinyl plank flooring, helping you make an informed decision about whether it’s the right fit for your home renovation or new construction project.
What Makes Luxury Vinyl Plank Different?
Before diving into specific applications, let’s understand what sets quality LVP apart from other flooring options. Not all luxury vinyl planks are created equal, and understanding the key components will help you make better decisions about where to use them.
The Anatomy of Quality LVP
High-quality luxury vinyl plank flooring consists of several critical layers. The wear layer—measured in mils (thousandths of an inch)—sits on top and determines how well your floor resists scratches, scuffs, and daily wear.
We recommend a minimum of 20-mil wear layer for residential applications, though 12-mil can work in low-traffic areas. For families with children, large pets, or high-traffic zones, consider products with thicker wear layers.
The core layer provides stability and determines whether your floor is rigid or flexible. Stone plastic composite (SPC) cores offer superior rigidity and durability, making them ideal for commercial applications and busy households. The backing layer, often made from IXPE foam (like what’s integrated into Jacob Quality Floors products), provides acoustic dampening and underfoot comfort without requiring separate underlayment.
Room-by-Room Application Guide
Kitchens: Where LVP Truly Shines
The kitchen represents one of the best applications for luxury vinyl plank flooring. Unlike hardwood, which can warp or stain from water exposure, waterproof LVP handles spills, splashes, and the occasional dishwasher overflow with ease. The key word here is “waterproof”—not just water-resistant. Products like Jacob Quality Floors’ SPC Tile Series offer 100% waterproof construction specifically designed for areas where moisture exposure is inevitable.
In Cambridge kitchens, we’ve seen LVP perform beautifully in everything from compact condo galleys to sprawling family cooking spaces. The combination of durability and easy maintenance makes it practical for busy households. When a pot of spaghetti sauce hits the floor, you can clean it up without worrying about permanent staining or grout discoloration—a common problem with ceramic tile and cementitious grout.
One consideration: if you frequently cook and there’s potential for boiling water or hot oil spills, clean them promptly. While LVP is remarkably durable, extreme heat can potentially damage the surface if left in contact too long.
Bathrooms: Moisture-Proof Peace of Mind
Bathrooms present unique challenges that make waterproof LVP an excellent choice. Traditional hardwood is generally not recommended for full bathrooms due to humidity and water exposure. Ceramic tile works well but can feel cold underfoot and requires regular grout maintenance.
Luxury vinyl plank offers a middle ground: the waterproof protection you need with the warmth and comfort of a resilient floor. The Jacob Quality Floors SPC Tile Series, available in 12″ x 24″ formats with six stunning colors, provides the sophisticated appearance of stone or ceramic without the cold surface or grout maintenance concerns.
For bathroom applications, pay special attention to proper installation around toilets, vanities, and tub surrounds. While the planks themselves are waterproof, ensuring proper sealing at transitions and penetrations prevents water from reaching the subfloor.
Basements: The Clear Winner
If there’s one application where luxury vinyl plank flooring consistently outperforms alternatives, it’s basement installations. Below-grade spaces present moisture challenges that make hardwood problematic and carpet risky. Even finished basements with proper waterproofing can experience humidity fluctuations that affect natural wood products.
LVP’s waterproof construction and dimensional stability make it ideal for basement family rooms, home offices, exercise areas, and guest suites. The integrated IXPE underpad in products like Jacob’s 8mm Plus Series provides acoustic comfort and a slight cushioning effect that makes basement floors more comfortable for extended periods.
During installation, ensure your concrete subfloor is level and properly prepared. While LVP is more forgiving than tile, significant unevenness will eventually show through and can cause planks to shift or gap at connections.
Living Rooms and Great Rooms: Style Meets Durability
Living spaces represent where aesthetics matter most, and this is where choosing the right LVP product becomes crucial. The Jacob Quality Floors 8mm Wood Series and 8mm Plus Series offer realistic wood grain patterns and textures that bring natural beauty to your main living areas.
The wider 9″ x 60″ planks in the 8mm Plus Series create a more contemporary, spacious feel—perfect for modern open-concept homes common in newer Cambridge developments. The 7″ x 60″ format in the 8mm Wood Series offers a more traditional appearance that complements classic home styles.
For living rooms, consider how furniture placement will affect your floor. Heavy entertainment centers, sofas, and chairs should have felt pads attached to legs and feet. This simple step prevents scratching and denting, particularly important in high-visibility areas where guests gather.
Bedrooms: Comfort and Quiet
Bedrooms benefit from LVP’s acoustic properties and comfortable underfoot feel. The integrated IXPE foam backing reduces sound transmission between floors—particularly valuable in two-story homes or multi-unit dwellings.
The 6.5mm U-Plus Series from Jacob Quality Floors works beautifully in bedrooms, offering fashionable designs with the 1.5mm IXPE foam providing just enough cushioning for comfortable barefoot walking. Parents appreciate that LVP is easier to keep clean than carpet, especially important in children’s rooms where spills and accidents happen.
Entryways and Mudrooms: First Line of Defense
High-traffic entryways demand durable flooring that can handle constant foot traffic, outdoor debris, moisture from wet shoes and boots, and the occasional salt or sand tracked in during Canadian winters. This is where the abrasion-resistant properties of quality LVP become essential.
Look for products with superior wear layers and rigid SPC cores for entryway applications. The Jacob Quality Floors SPC Tile Series excels here, with its stone plastic composite construction providing exceptional durability against the punishment that entryways endure. The 12″ x 24″ tile format also works well visually, creating a distinct transition zone between outdoor and indoor spaces.
Home Offices: Professional Appearance, Practical Performance
With more Cambridge residents working from home, home office flooring has become increasingly important. You need something that looks professional on video calls, handles rolling desk chairs without damage, and creates a comfortable environment for long work sessions.
Luxury vinyl plank checks all these boxes. The realistic wood-look designs provide a professional backdrop, while the durable wear layer resists damage from chair casters. Choose planks with chair mat compatibility, or use a clear chair mat to extend the life of your floor in the immediate desk area.
Special Use Cases and Considerations
Pet-Friendly Homes
Families with dogs and cats face unique flooring challenges. Pet nails can scratch softer surfaces, accidents require easy cleanup, and some flooring types become slippery for animals to navigate.
Quality luxury vinyl plank with thick wear layers (20-mil or higher) resists scratching from pet nails remarkably well. The waterproof construction means accidents clean up easily without leaving stains or odors. However, one consideration: some LVP surfaces can be slippery for older dogs or those with mobility issues. Area rugs in key pathways can help provide traction while maintaining the overall aesthetic.
Rental Properties and Investment Homes
Property owners and landlords appreciate LVP for several practical reasons. The combination of durability, easy maintenance, and attractive appearance at a reasonable price point makes it ideal for rental units. When properly installed, quality LVP can last through multiple tenancies without showing significant wear.
The individual plank design offers another advantage: damaged sections can be replaced without refinishing the entire floor. Keep extra boxes from your original purchase, and you can swap out damaged planks as needed. This targeted repair capability is impossible with sheet vinyl and impractical with hardwood.
Commercial and Light Commercial Applications
Beyond residential use, luxury vinyl plank works well in light commercial settings. Jacob Quality Floors offers a 10-year commercial warranty, reflecting confidence in the product’s performance under higher traffic conditions.
Small retail spaces, professional offices, boutiques, and service businesses find LVP attractive for its combination of professional appearance and practical durability. The easy installation and minimal downtime during installation also appeal to business owners who can’t afford extended closures.
When LVP Might Not Be the Best Choice
Honesty matters when helping homeowners make flooring decisions. While luxury vinyl plank excels in many applications, it’s not always the optimal choice.
Formal Dining Rooms and High-End Spaces
In truly formal settings or high-end homes where authentic materials matter most, solid hardwood or engineered hardwood might be more appropriate. While modern LVP offers remarkably realistic wood-look designs, discerning eyes can often tell the difference. For homes where resale value depends heavily on premium finishes, investing in real wood might make more sense.
Outdoor and Semi-Outdoor Applications
Despite its durability, LVP is designed for interior use. Covered porches, sunrooms with significant temperature fluctuations, or three-season rooms can experience expansion and contraction that affects floating floor installations. Direct sunlight exposure over time can also cause fading in some products.
Over Radiant Heat (Sometimes)
While some LVP products are compatible with radiant floor heating, not all are rated for this application. If you have or plan to install radiant heat, verify compatibility before purchasing. The heat can affect the vinyl’s dimensional stability and adhesive properties in some products.
Installation Considerations That Affect Performance
Even the highest-quality luxury vinyl plank won’t perform well if improperly installed. Understanding these factors helps ensure your investment delivers the expected results.
Subfloor Preparation is Critical
LVP requires a clean, flat, structurally sound subfloor. Concrete should be level within 3/16″ over 10 feet. Wood subfloors should be securely fastened, with no movement or squeaking. Small imperfections telegraph through to the surface over time, creating visible irregularities and potentially causing planks to separate at the joints.
Acclimation Matters
Allow your luxury vinyl plank to acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours before installation. This is particularly important during Canadian winters when products might arrive cold from storage or delivery.
Expansion Gaps are Non-Negotiable
LVP is a floating floor system that needs room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Maintain proper expansion gaps around the perimeter, at doorways, and around fixed objects like cabinets and posts. Quarter-round or baseboard molding covers these gaps aesthetically while allowing the necessary movement.
Buy Extra and Keep It
Purchase at least one extra box beyond what’s needed to cover your square footage. This serves two purposes: it accounts for cutting waste during installation (typically 5-10%), and it provides replacement planks if damage occurs down the road. Trying to match a discontinued color or pattern years later is often impossible.
Maintenance and Long-Term Performance
One of LVP’s strongest selling points is its minimal maintenance requirements, but following best practices extends its life and appearance.
Daily and Weekly Care
Regular dry mopping or vacuuming removes dirt and grit that can scratch the surface over time. For routine cleaning, damp mopping with plain water or a manufacturer-approved cleaner is sufficient. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, and excessive water that can seep into seams.
Protecting Your Investment
Felt pads under furniture legs prevent scratching and denting. Doormats at entries trap dirt before it reaches your floor. Area rugs in high-traffic paths distribute wear and add design interest. These simple steps significantly extend your floor’s attractive appearance.
Addressing Damage
Minor scratches in the wear layer often can’t be repaired, but they’re usually only visible upon close inspection. For more significant damage, the beauty of plank flooring is that individual pieces can be replaced. This is where those extra boxes you kept come in handy.
Making the Right Choice for Your Cambridge Home
Luxury vinyl plank flooring offers an outstanding combination of durability, water resistance, aesthetic appeal, and value for many applications. It’s particularly excellent for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, entryways, and homes with pets or children. The wide range of styles available means you can achieve almost any look you’re after, from contemporary wide planks to traditional wood tones.
However, the quality of LVP varies dramatically between products. The difference between economy-grade and premium luxury vinyl plank is substantial—not just in appearance, but in durability, comfort, and longevity. This is where working with knowledgeable local experts makes all the difference.
At Club Ceramic in Cambridge, we carry Jacob Quality Floors products because they represent the quality control, environmental standards, and performance our customers deserve. From the 8mm Plus Series to the SPC Tile collection, each product line is designed for specific applications with the durability to back up the investment.
Visit Our Cambridge Showroom
The best way to understand if luxury vinyl plank is right for your project is to see and feel it in person. Our showroom at 15 Sheldon Drive displays the complete range of Jacob Quality Floors products, and our team can help you understand which options work best for your specific needs and budget.
We serve homeowners, contractors, and design professionals throughout Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and the Greater Toronto Area with the same neighborhood commitment that’s earned us a 5.0-star rating on Google. Whether you’re renovating a single room or flooring an entire home, we’re here to provide expert guidance every step of the way.
Ready to explore luxury vinyl plank options for your home?
Visit Club Ceramic Flooring today:
15 Sheldon Dr, Cambridge, ON N1R 6R8
Phone: (647) 394-6030
Website: clubceramiccambridge.ca
Let us help you make the right flooring choice for your Cambridge home.