Can I Install Luxury Vinyl Tile Over Old Vinyl Flooring?

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a popular choice of flooring due to its durability and wide selection of designs, colors and textures.  LVT will provide beauty and comfort for many years with the proper installation and upkeep.  When replacing an old vinyl floor with LVT, it might be tempting to want to install over the existing vinyl flooring.  

Here are some considerations to help you decide before you make a final decision on your new floor installation.

What is the difficulty level in removing the old floor?  If your existing floor is vinyl tiles, they may be individually glued down to the subfloor which makes them difficult to remove.  If the old floor is sheet vinyl, it is typically attached only along the perimeter, which makes removal a bit easier.  Consider the path of least resistance when making your decision.  

Is the subfloor in good condition? If the subfloor underneath the current vinyl floor is in poor condition, laying LVT on top of the current floor will not yield good results.  You must be working with a sound subfloor before laying new LVT.  Be sure to make any repairs to the subfloor and add a thin underlayment of wood if necessary, ensuring it is securely fastened to the floor beams.   

What is the condition of the existing vinyl floor? The existing floor needs to be examined for cleanliness and top finish. If the current floor has a buildup of dirt or grime, this must be cleaned for proper adhesion of the new floor.

If the finish is still shiny from a polyurethane topcoat, the surface may need to be roughed up a bit to create a rough finish for the new floor to adhere successfully.  If either of these preparations are not met, the new LVT may not adhere to the surface below and your floor could shift and become detached.

Great Western Flooring Offers LVT Installation

Great Western Flooring has been pleasing customers for over 35 years with high quality products and professional installation.  We offer complimentary design consultations at three conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles. 

Great Western Flooring provides a wide selection of flooring products from the leading manufacturers.  Contact us today to speak with an experienced floor technician and with all your questions about vinyl floor installation.

What are the Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Luxury vinyl plank flooring, LVP, is a popular type of flooring for many reasons.  LVP provides the look of real hardwood floors in resilient, durable and beautiful planks that offer several benefits over other types of flooring, even real wood floors.  Luxury Vinyl Plank, LVP, and Luxury Vinyl Tile, LVT, are widely used in commercial and residential applications, providing a valuable investment with beautiful flooring that will last.  

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring offers many benefits which include:

• Water resistance – Vinyl is naturally resistant to water, with LVP and LVT flooring products ideal in rooms with moisture exposure such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• Stain and scratch resistant – The resilience of the high-quality products provides protection against stains and scratches unlike real stone tiles or wood planks
• Easy Installation – These products are increasingly easier to install with some types providing easy click and lock flooring options
• Simple cleaning – LVP products are durable with normal cleaning keeping your floors looking fresh and new for many years
• Wide selection of colors – with the many choices available you can find any shade you’re looking for from light to dark and everything in between including White-Washed and Onyx variations
• Replicate wood types – LVP is available in varying wood grain finishes including Maple, Oak, Walnut or even distressed barnwood
• Lower cost than stone or hardwood – LVP provides beauty and durability at a lower cost than natural materials

Great Western Flooring Offers Wide Selection of LVP Products

Great Western Flooring offers LVP products from the best names in the flooring industry such as Mohawk, Armstrong and Shaw Flooring.  We have over three decades of experience in pleasing customers with high-quality products and professional installation.  If you are unsure as to which type of flooring is best suited for your installation, our design specialists can help you evaluate the varying products and their qualities to find the floor of your dreams.  

Beautiful flooring can make your house feel like a home, adding comfort and warmth in a style to match your décor.  Stop by one of our conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles to see the many options available and speak with a professional to ensure that you get the best value for your purchase.

Great Western Flooring offers high-quality flooring products, professional installation and exceptional customer service.  Contact us today to be sure your flooring installation is a huge success that will add value to your home for many years to come.

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.