How is WPC Different from LVT?

WPC, or wood plastic composite, is a form of luxury vinyl tile, LVT, but not all LVT is WPC. Lots of acronyms to say that WPC is a specialty product type of luxury vinyl tile, offering additional benefits such as water-resistant material. Luxury vinyl tile typically includes multiple layers consisting of a thick durable underlayment, a tough wear layer, image layer displaying realistic looks of wood or stone and a textured surface.  Not all LVT is manufactured the same, however, and there is quite a difference between quality made LVT or LVP (luxury vinyl planks) and poorly made material.

WPC is often times referred to as waterproof core, which is one of the main benefits of WPC flooring.  This quality makes WPC quite desirable for homeowners looking to install a new floor in rooms which may be exposed to moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms, mud rooms and basements.  It’s the waterproof core that makes WPC flooring such a stable product, which means it will not contract or expand when exposed to climate or humidity changes.

WPC is a popular choice for any room in the house and also in commercial properties.  When comparing WPC vs LVT, consider the temperature and climate of the room in question, and also the wear and tear it will take.  Both WPC and LVT are quite durable in either residential or commercial applications, offering much bang for your buck with long lasting, resilient flooring that keeps on performing year after year.  

Both WPC and LVT offer a durable floor requiring low maintenance.  With the modern technology used by floor manufacturers today, it is difficult to tell the difference between natural hardwood and luxury vinyl tile.  LVT and WPC flooring will not succumb to scratches and stains like hardwood, and is much easier to maintain.  

Great Western Flooring Offers Wide Selections of WPC and LVT

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring and tile company offering a wide selection of WPC and LVT flooring from the best names in the business.  We have over 35 years of experience in pleasing customers with quality products and professional installation.  Stop by one of our conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles to speak with a flooring specialist for a complimentary design consultation.

Great Western Flooring offers complimentary design consultations from experienced flooring specialists. We offer quality products from trusted names in flooring manufacturers with professional installation.  Contact us today to learn more about our wide selection of flooring products and for answers to all your questions on how WPC is different from LVT.

Where to Find the Best Premium Luxury Vinyl Tile

While some vinyl flooring products may look the same, the difference between poor flooring products and premium luxury vinyl tile become evident upon close examination and especially after installation.  A premium vinyl tile product will have a high quality look up close and the durability and thickness of the wear layer is evident upon standing on the floor.  Don’t leave your new floor installation to chance, be sure to find the best premium luxury vinyl tile available to extend the value of your home improvement.

If wondering where to find the best luxury vinyl tile products and which manufacturers offer the style and features you’re looking for, read on to learn more about the many options from the best names in flooring manufacturers.

Shaw

Shaw is known for excellence in flooring products and their line of luxury vinyl tile does not disappoint.  With several choices including Premio, Easy Street, Classico, Navigator and Aviator, Shaw offers 7 different lines of vinyl plank with 13 species and color variations.  Shaw’s line of premium luxury vinyl tile encompasses the whole gamut of luxury vinyl plank, (LVP), from thick, thicker and premium selections at 6.5 mm for exceptional durability.  With the quality we have come to expect from Shaw, even the middle of the road products offer an excellent flooring choice.

Armstrong

Armstrong offers an LVP line called Luxe Plank in variations of favorited wood species replicas such as Oak, Walnut and Maple.  The top of the line  LVP Luxe Plank line from Armstrong offers thickness at 4 mm which is a nice durable, middle of the road choice suitable in many applications. 

Mannington

Mannington offers including entry-level Adura and the premium line, Distinctive Plank. The Adura line is cost effective at 4mm thickness and comes in the basic wood species such as Maple and Oak.  The Distinctive line offers additional color options in soothing, darker tones with a more complex and realistic embossing, although comes in the same 4mm thickness as the Adura.

Karndean

Karndean is name well known in the UK for quality flooring products and offers a line of premium luxury vinyl tile with realistic wood looks and easy installation.  Karndean includes the Art Select brand of LVP, which provides a natural wood-parquet look in various hews and classic looks.  The Art Select brand comes in 4.5mm thickness with 20 mils of wear layer.

Great Western Flooring Offers Premium Luxury Vinyl Tile

Great Western Flooring Company is a leading flooring and tile company with more than 35 years of experience in pleasing customers in and around the Chicago area.  We offer the premium luxury vinyl tile from the most well known brands in the industry ensuring quality product at a the best available cost.  Stop by one of our conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles for a complimentary design consultation from an experienced flooring specialist.

Great Western Flooring is a leading floor and tile company offering quality flooring products from experienced flooring specialists.  We offer complimentary design consultations and professional installation.  Contact us to learn more about our full line of flooring products including a wide selection of premium luxury vinyl tile.

What are the Best Laminate Flooring Products?

Laminate flooring offers many benefits to consumers in residential and commercial settings with beautiful and stylish floors that mimic the look of real wood or stone.  Laminate flooring manufacturers today offer beautiful floors that stand up to heavy traffic with scratch and stain resistant floors unlike natural hardwood or stone tiles.  Laminate flooring is constructed with layers that provide added insulation and comfort over hardwood, enhancing the beauty of your home with durable and comfortable flooring that will last for many years.  

Great Western Flooring Offers High-Quality Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring offers high-quality laminate flooring from the best names in the flooring industry such as Mohawk.  Mohawk’s GenuEdge Technology™ is an innovative flooring product that provides the look of real hardwood flooring with several added benefits.  

Mohawk’s laminate flooring is available in a wide variety of designs and shades from light to dark tones that mimic the natural highlights of wood grains or aged wood.  Color options of Mohawk’s laminate flooring offer an endless choice of shades and colors including:

• Aged Barn Oak for a warm and cozy antiquated look
• Barnhouse Oak which provides a traditional Oak replica
• Sandcastle Oak delivers a modern yet light and rustic feel
• Hickory Saddle Oak laminate flooring offers traditional and warm wood floor tones
• Vintage Saddle Oak offers sculpted and dark tones popular in modern settings

These are just a few of the many options available with laminate flooring from trusted flooring manufacturers.  Great Western will help you evaluate your flooring desires and the products that are best suited to deliver the properties you envision for the floor of your dreams. Our design specialists will help you determine the best product for your application while our experienced technicians provide professional installation.

Great Western Flooring has over 35 years of experience pleasing customers in and around the Chicagoland area with high-quality products, professional installation and exceptional customer service.  Contact Great Western Flooring today for a complimentary consultation and to learn how we can provide the floor of your dreams with high quality laminate flooring.

How is WPC Flooring Different from Other Flooring?

Wood plastic composite is also referred to as WPC flooring and is a newer type of flooring product that has changed the way we think of vinyl.  Vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years with nearly all vinyl flooring types offering water resistant benefits.  WPC flooring, however, boasts 100% waterproof properties, proving to be a valuable investment in many installations such as kitchens, bathroom and basements.  

How is WPC Flooring Made?

WPC flooring is carefully constructed by the best names in the flooring industry such as Shaw and Mohawk, with four distinct layers.  These layers provide comfort and durability, consisting of the following:

• Top wear layer providing stain resistance along with commercial rated wear and tear protection
• Luxury vinyl top layer which provides the design of either stone tiles or wood planks, with strikingly realistic qualities it’s difficult to tell the difference
• WPC core structure constructed with an extruded waterproof core that will not expand or contract
• Attached cork underlayment which provides insulation, protection against mold and mildew, and absorbs subfloor imperfections

WPC flooring delivers long lasting beauty and comfort with resilient durability.  Get your money’s worth with this versatile flooring option that is available in endless colors, styles and textures.

Benefits of WPC Flooring

Installing WPC flooring provides many benefits which include:

• Waterproof flooring
• Realistic look of real stone or wood
• Comfortable with shock absorbing layers
• Long lasting flooring that holds up for many years
• Improve the value of your home with beautiful flooring that is less costly that hardwood or stone

Great Western Flooring offers high-quality flooring products such as WPC flooring, LVT, LVP, carpet, tile, hardwood and many other flooring options from the best names in the business.  Our skilled and experienced technicians offer professional installation to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Great Western Flooring has more than 35 years of experience in helping customers to design their rooms with the floor of their dreams, Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and to learn how to find the floor you envision.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Lives Up to Its Name

Vinyl flooring has come a long way in the last few years with manufacturers upping the game
on providing high-quality, durable, and versatile flooring options that convincingly mimic real
wood and stone. Luxury vinyl tile LVT and luxury vinyl plank LVP flooring provides an
amazingly beautiful floor, in a wide variety of wood or stone designs, that is extremely durable
and made to last.

Luxury vinyl tile is so versatile you are sure to find the texture, color and style that you desire.
With an amazing likeness to real wood, you can find varying shades and styles of oak, pine,
barn wood and other types of wood species, available in whites, browns, grays and just about any
style you have in mind. And if you’re looking for a likeness to ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile can be laid
and grouted to provide a beautiful and durable floor that one could hardly tell the difference between
LVT and real stone tile.

One difference may be that your luxury vinyl tile is more comfortable to stand on, with resilient
vinyl and a comfortable thickness, your LVT floor will not strain your feet, knees and joints like
standing on stone tile.  Luxury vinyl tile is also more durable as it is less likely to crack or split if
something is dropped on it, with a protective wear layer shielding your floor from scratches, dents
and damage.

Another great advantage of luxury vinyl tile is the ease in installation. LVT and LVP can be
installed on, above or below grade.  This type of flooring option provides elegant and
eye-catching flooring options, a cozy comfort underfoot, ease in installation
for a DIY project or a simple project for a professional install, all leading up to a great value
with luxury vinyl tile that won’t break the bank.

Great Western Flooring Offers Luxury Vinyl Tile with Design and Installation

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring design and installation specialist, pleasing customers
in and around the Chicagoland area for more than three decades. We are proud distributors of
the most recognized names in the industry, offering the latest in flooring technology with durable,
versatile, waterproof, scratch and dent resistant, beautiful floors that will last for many years.

Stop by one of our three conveniently located design centers for a complimentary design

consultation or contact us to learn more about all of our flooring products including the
latest trends in luxury vinyl tile.

Trending Vinyl Flooring Purchase Guide

When you hear vinyl flooring you may think of rollout linoleum in outdated kitchens,
although the vinyl flooring of today offers a wide selection of beautiful designs that can l
ook just like real hardwood or stone tiles. Vinyl flooring today is made from renewable,
eco-friendly materials that are also durable and versatile with decor, providing viable
alternatives in a vast array of designs, colors and shades.

Here Are Some Tips When Considering Vinyl Flooring

Sheets or Tiles?
You will first want to decide if you want sheets or tiles depending on the look you desire
and your budget.  Sheet flooring can be a great choice if you want a patterned design,
and typically comes in rolls 6 feet or 12 feet wide, providing a continuous pattern.

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

There are two types of sheet flooring, printed sheet vinyl has the
pattern printed onto backing material with clear coats of urethane
called the wear layer for protection.  Inlaid sheet flooring is typically
more expensive and heavier than the printed option, offering additional
protection as it will show less discussed and scratches. It is best to have a
professional installation of inlaid flooring.

Tile Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring in the form of tiles is perfect if creating a checkerboard
pattern or you want the look of ceramic tile. You can lay these right next to
each other or use spacers and grout in between for an authentic stone look.
There are various tile styles and patterns available as well as many options
in thickness and quality.

Considerations When Purchasing Vinyl Flooring

Here are some additional considerations to make your vinyl flooring purchase a success:

Ask about UV protection - vinyl and linoleum can fade significantly when exposed to sunlight,
and less adequate UV protection is included in the product. Ask about protection from sunlight
damage and check the warranty regarding fading.

Double check the cushioning in the product - take a sample of your vinyl flooring
product home if you can and stand on it for a few minutes to make sure that it provides ample
cushioning with a comfortable surface were walking and standing.

Be sure the wear layer thickness is adequate - the rule of thumb in the wear layer is
that one mil will last one year for a family of four.

Check the Floor Score Certification - check for vinyl flooring options that are certified to
emit minimal levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may cause headaches
dizziness or respiratory illness. Beware of older products for cheaper versions that may not
have protection from these irritants like some more modern products from respected suppliers.
One OEM is made from natural materials thus VOCs are not a concern with linoleum.

Great Western Flooring Offers a Wide Selection of Vinyl Flooring

For the ultimate best advice on your vinyl flooring purchase, contact
the flooring experts at Great Western Flooring. We offer decades of
experience with design and installation of all types of flooring products,
with the latest in flooring trends in fashion.

Great Western flooring is a leading flooring company, exceeding customer
expectations with high quality products and professional installation for over
three decades. Stop by one of our three conveniently located design centers or
contact us for a complimentary design consultation.

Get a Great Value with Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for consumers that desire the look of real hardwood or tile floors, without the expense of material, professional installation and the upkeep required to keep them nice. Laminate flooring is available in either planks or tiles, with simple snap together edges making for an easy installation with no nailing or gluing required and are DIY friendly as they can be installed below, on or above grade.

Laminates are made of a composite material with a surface layer that is scratch and dent resistant,
making it ideal if you are worried about potential damage to real wood or stone, and require no
additional maintenance beyond normal cleaning.

Laminate Flooring Provides a Luxurious Look to Any Room

The versatility of laminate flooring today offers realistic imitations of real wood in varying colors and
shades, making it difficult to tell the difference from the real thing.  Although you may notice a
difference in comfort as the resiliency of laminates make them more comfortable on the joints and
feet when standing for a long period of time.

Laminates can mimic antique or rustic woods, specific types such as old or pine, variations of tile
and stone and even metal imitations.  With the endless options available, laminate flooring is sure to
provide a solution to enhance any decor.

Caring for Your Laminate Floor

Your laminate floor is still susceptible to water damage and is not recommended in bathrooms
or rooms with floor drains or sump pumps. Check the warranty on your particular product, as a
higher-quality floor can provide many years of beauty and comfort. But once laminate flooring
wears out, it cannot be refinished like a real hardwood floor can. Be sure to clean up spills, and if
installed in a basement or on slabs a moisture barrier should be used.

With proper care, laminate flooring can last for many years.

Great Western Flooring Offers Laminate Flooring, Design and Installation

Great Western Flooring offers decades of experience pleasing customers with high quality,
professional tile, carpet and flooring products at an affordable cost. We are proud distributors
of the best names in the flooring industry offering a wide selection of beautiful and durable products.

Stop by one of our three conveniently located design centers or contact us today for a
complimentary design consultation.