CarpetsPlus COLORTILE of Wyoming in Thayne & Afton, Wyoming

Learn About Luxury Vinyl Flooring

With so many Luxury Vinyl Flooring options, you need an expert to guide you - and with CarpetsPlus COLORTILE of Wyoming in Thayne & Afton, Wyoming, that's precisely what you'll find. Here, we explain the features and benefits of rigid-core vinyl flooring to help you make an educated selection.

At CarpetsPlus COLORTILE of Wyoming Luxury vinyl flooring has gained immense popularity in recent times, with rigid core flooring being the most commonly chosen option for homes and offices. While this category has been around for only a decade, its growth and innovative solutions have led to manufacturers using different names and acronyms, causing some confusion among buyers. Terms like LVT, LVP, LVF, WPC, SPC, and MGO might be familiar to you, but their meanings may not be precise. In this context, let's define these terms to eliminate ambiguity.

  • LVT - Luxury Vinyl Tile (may or may not be tile looks because in the beginning this is what people called the entire category)

  • LVP - Luxury Vinyl Plank (wood looks)

  • LVF - Luxury Vinyl Flooring (some use this term to refer to the entire category)

  • EIR - Embossed in Register (the embossing follows the wood grain)

  • WPC - Wood Plastic Composite Core

  • SPC - Stone Plastic Composite Core

  • MGO - Magnesium Oxide or Mineral Core

When shopping at CarpetsPlus COLORTILE of Wyoming in Thayne & Afton, Wyoming, it is crucial to consider several factors before picking the best rigid core flooring option for your customers or clients. You should take into account the intended application, performance expectations, and personal preferences of your customers or clients. Although WPC, SPC, and MgO cores share some benefits, there are slight differences that may make one option more appealing than the others.

WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite. This core was introduced in vinyl flooring form by US Floors around 2012. This core is made of wood dust, plastic and foaming agents. Compared to SPC, WPC is thicker, softer, warmer underfoot and quieter. This softness allows deeper texturing for more realism, but it can be dented slightly easier. It can be installed over many existing floors without telegraphing what's underneath. Most installations are floating; that means they are not glued or stapled to the subfloor. WPC is typically only installed in residential homes.

SPC came next in the evolution of rigid core flooring. It stands for Stone Plastic Composite. SPC's core exchanges the wood of WPC for stone making a harder, more dent resistant floor. The stone in the core is calcium carbonate also known as limestone mixed with plasticizers and PVC. SPC began its life in the commercial market but moved quickly into residential due to the fact it was less expensive and very durable.

MgO, also known as Mineral Core, got its start in commercial applications but is a relative newcomer in flooring. It's ultra-durable, strong, nearly dent proof and even provides protection against fire. It has a more laminate-like finish that's also very scratch resistant. This type of core contains no plasticizers. It will not warp or shrink and is 100% waterproof. This is a top-of-the-line product available in up to 9" widths and 86" lengths.

Click-together luxury vinyl floors are rigid core floors that can be clicked together with a tongue and groove. They aren't all the same and some are better than others. Some locking system names to look for are UniClic, Valinge, Tap-n-fold and Angle/Tap among others. These better systems can keep spills and moisture from seeping to the subfloor for up to days at a time.

Glue Down luxury vinyl is mainly used in commercial and is ultra-durable, installed in strips and glued to the subfloor. It comes in 2 - 4 mm thickness, has 12 - 30 mil wear layers but more subfloor prep is required than the other formats. It will telegraph if the subfloor isn't prepared correctly. One advantage it has over other formats is that if one plank is damaged, it can be removed and replaced easily.

Loose Lay is a luxury vinyl format that can be installed without glue or locking system. The planks literally just lay side by side. It sounds crazy but most have a grippy rubber backing and with weight and friction, they remain in place the same as any other floor. Adhesive is required in some instances.

WPC, SPC and MgO rigid core flooring are made most often in four layers. Rigid core floors are made with several layers including the attached underlayment, the core, the pattern or print layer and the wear layer. Sometimes there is an additional coating added to help prevent scuffs and scrapes or additional vinyl layers for added rigidity and dimensional stability.

COLORTILE® Waterproof Vinyl Flooring features on-trend colors, stunning looks, quiet steps, and great feel underfoot. This is a phenomenal collection and a natural choice for almost any installation.

COLORTILE® Waterproof Vinyl Flooring is 100% waterproof offering protection against everyday spills and stains.

Specially engineered coatings and wear layers resist the scuffs and scrapes of active homes with kids and pets. Because of its dense SPC core, it also protects against dents. Perfect for all members of your family!

This luxury vinyl flooring is treated with antimicrobial technology that deters the growth of microorganisms that come in contact with its surface.