If you are thinking about installing new flooring in your home and are considering all the options, make sure to add resilient flooring to your list. It’s flooring that looks like wood and made with your well-being – and the planet’s – in mind.
This post is sponsored by Beautifully Responsible. All words and opinions are my own.
Friends of mine are building a new home on the lake and recently were in the process of picking out everything for the house from exterior siding and windows. To interior finishes, cabinets and flooring.
As the house got closer to completion, they asked me if I were building a house today, what would I put on the floors – hardwood, engineered wood, laminate or luxury vinyl plank?
Since I have all of these types of flooring in my home, I have become pretty knowledgable about the pros and cons of wood and wood-look flooring options. I had an answer for them and I thought I would share it with you.
What Flooring Has Become My Favorite
Five years ago when we moved to South Carolina and started to update the house, the very first project we did was rip up the existing wall-to-to wall carpet in the room that would become my studioffice. We, or shall I say, Ed installed Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring for the first time.
Up until this point, I didn’t know very much about Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring, but soon learned just how wonderfully durable it is and depending on the brand, color and quality. It can look just like a hardwood floor.
Just like any flooring options – there is a wide range in cost, plank widths, wood tones and color options to choose. The style I used in my studioffice even has a wood grain texture to it.
Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring falls into the Resilient Flooring category of flooring set by the flooring industry. It is flooring that is firm, yet has a “give or bounce back.” Linoleum and Cork are considered resilient flooring also.
The Reasons Why I Love Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
After loving how the floor looked in my studioffice and the ease to install and clean it, we chose to use the same luxury vinyl plank (LVP) in other rooms and spaces in the house. We installed it in two bathrooms, the “hallway of darkness” and the laundry area.
When it came time to figure out what to replace the carpet with in the second floor game room, I didn’t even hesitate to use LVP. Why?
- It looks just like real wood, is so easy to maintain and is affordable.
- The flooring looks as good today as it did when we installed it 5 years ago.
- With each passing year, the technology, quality and wood color selection just keeps getting better.
- Resilient flooring delivers a cleaner, healthier interior environment. It is installed as a floating floor – so no chemical adhesive is needed when installed in homes. It also meets industry standards for contributing to good indoor air quality and qualifies for Low Emitting Material credits for LEED®, Green Globes® and other sustainable building requirements.
- Most are waterproof or water-resistant.
- Is resistant to scratches and stains and holds up exceptionally well to heavy traffic and pets.
This past summer after going to another friends new home for a dockside dinner, I took notice of the wood flooring in their foyer, kitchen and family room.
I don’t have a photo of it, but it was an extra-wide planked driftwood color floor. When I went back outside, I complemented my friend about the wood floor and she replied “Thank- you, but it’s not wood, it’s LVP”
She went on to tell me that the previous owner of the house had it installed. I had to go back in the house to see for myself. I got down on my hands and knees so I could see the floor up close, that is how much it looked and felt like a hardwood floor.
Seeing this floor reinforced my love of LVP flooring.
How To Clean & Maintain Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
One of the best aspects of LVP flooring is it is very easy to maintain. Here are my simple tips that help me keep my floors looking their best.
- Sweep regularly to remove loose dirt and grit.
- Wipe up any spills as soon as possible.
- Clean using a spray floor cleaner with a microfiber mop.
- For spills, wipe clean with a damp paper towel.
- DON’T use harsh chemicals or steam.
- DON’T use a vacuum with a beater bar or brush.
- USE plastic sliding discs when moving furniture across the floor.
Where to Find Out More About Resilient Flooring
If you have followed my blog for awhile, then you probably remember when I posted about adding luxury vinyl plank to the rooms in my house.
When it comes time to choose new flooring for your home, remember to consider beautifully responsible resilient flooring options that are available on the market today. The options and advances in manufacturing just keeps getting better, both for style and the environment.
To Learn More About Resilient Flooring
- Visit BeautifullyResponsible.com to learn more about the beauty and durability of resilient flooring and the (RFCI) Resilient Floor Covering Institute.
- Follow ResponsibleFlooring on Instagram to see some of the many beautiful options used in homes today.
- Follow on Pinterest to discover resilient floors that match your style, budget, and sustainable values.
