D & R Floor Covering

LVP flooring is known for its ease of maintenance. For daily care, sweep, dust mop, or vacuum using a hard floor setting. Weekly, damp mop with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner diluted in warm water. Clean up spills immediately with a soft cloth. Avoid using steam mops, harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, and abrasive scrubbers, as these can damage the flooring's finish and structure.

LVP flooring offers numerous advantages, including durability, water resistance, realistic appearance, cost-effectiveness, easy installation, and comfort underfoot. However, it also has some drawbacks. These include difficulty in repairing deep scratches or gouges, potential fading from prolonged sun exposure, challenges in removal (especially for glue-down installations), and environmental concerns due to its synthetic, PVC-based composition.

There are three primary methods for installing LVP flooring. The most common, especially for DIY projects, is the click-lock or floating method, where planks interlock without adhesive. The glue-down method involves adhering planks directly to the subfloor, offering stability for high-traffic areas. Lastly, the loose-lay method uses heavier planks with high-friction backing, typically securing only the perimeter planks with adhesive.

In many instances, LVP can be installed over existing hard, flat surfaces such as tile, concrete, or vinyl. The subfloor must be clean, dry, and level. It's not recommended to install LVP over soft flooring like carpet. When installing over tile, it may be necessary to use a leveling compound to fill grout lines, preventing them from showing through the new flooring.

With proper installation and maintenance, high-quality LVP flooring can last between 15 to 25 years or more. The lifespan largely depends on the thickness of the wear layer. A 6-12 mil wear layer suits light-traffic residential areas, 12-20 mil is ideal for most homes with normal traffic, and 20+ mil is considered commercial grade, offering the highest durability.

While LVP is highly scratch-resistant, it's not entirely scratch-proof. The wear layer provides excellent protection against everyday wear, pet claws, and light furniture movement. However, sharp objects or dragging heavy furniture can still cause scratches. To minimize the risk of scratches, we recommend using felt pads under furniture legs and placing mats at entryways to trap grit and small rocks.

According to industry standards, floating or click-lock luxury vinyl flooring installations require a level floor within 3/16 inches over an 8-foot radius. This level of flatness ensures proper installation and optimal performance of the flooring system.

Power stretching is an essential step in carpet installation that uses a specialized tool to stretch the carpet tightly across tack strips. This process prevents future wrinkling, lumping, and buckling. The power stretcher anchors at one end and pulls the carpet diagonally towards the next anchor point. Proper power stretching is crucial for maintaining the carpet's appearance, quality, and longevity. Without this step, carpets are much more likely to develop wrinkles or bunching over time.