Vinyl is a widely accepted flooring type to homeowners. It’s durable, stylish, and affordable. And the best part is- it mimics the look and feel of the natural hardwood surface.
The heck is- you can find two different types of vinyl plank flooring- luxury vinyl plank and engineered vinyl plank. Both of them come in different colors, textures, and patterns, and you can hardly catch any difference between LVP and EVP.
But there is a subtle distinction between engineered vinyl plank vs. luxury vinyl plank. From material to thickness, there is a huge gap between those two types of vinyl flooring. To reveal the differences and choose the best one from those two, continue to read.
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What Is Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Engineered Vinyl Plank or EVP Flooring is a type of flooring that consists of three layers, including top layer, middle layer, and back underlayment. The top layer is the sturdy vinyl that protects the floor from regular wear and tears. A high-density core board is the middle layer of your EVP flooring, which keeps the plank stable. And the underlayment attached with the middle layer works as a cushion.
Most homeowners now pick the engineered vinyl plank as their first flooring choice. This floor type is popular because it adds and gives the feel of natural hardwood or laminate surface. Therefore, it’s easy to install and requires a low maintenance workflow. The key difference between the hardwood floor and engineered vinyl plank is- EVP flooring is waterproof. In other words, it can resist water, which adds durability.
Attractive yet affordable is another reason that pushes homeowners to go for EVP flooring. You can now gain the natural hardwood flooring look without spending a leg and arm as hardwood flooring requires.
The Upsides of EVP Floor
The advantages of Engineered Vinyl Plank floorings are many. Among them, the following benefits of EVP surface will fascinate you.
Add Natural & Realistic Look
Incredibly real and natural! You know what it means if you want to connect with nature all time-whether it is inside your home or outdoors. Yeah, engineered vinyl plank floorings give the feel and look of a hardwood surface. It looks so real that many people can’t catch the difference between hardwood and vinyl at the first sight. Therefore, its rigid or thick plank makes it more real.
Waterproof
This is what makes it apart from the hardwood surface and the traditional vinyl floor. Unlike hardwood base, it can hold up water and is not susceptible to water. So, you can install this flooring in the moisture or wet area of your houses like the kitchen and bathroom. Indeed, you can add the warmth and beauty of the hardwood surface in the areas where moisture is present by installing an EVP floor.
Easy Installation
Engineered vinyl plank floorings are floating. It means you don’t need to glue them down with the subfloor like the luxury vinyl surface. As a result, you can effortlessly install this flooring type on the subfloor that saves you the installation cost.
Comfortable to Walk On
EVP floorings are thick enough. So, you don’t feel hurt when you walk on it. The underlayment of this surface works as a cushion. Due to this, you will feel comfortable when you walk on the floor and you can feel it as real while walking on this surface.
Easy to Clean and Maintenance
Every type of cleaner (both household and commercial) works with engineered vinyl plank flooring. So, you don’t need to hassle to get rid of dirt, debris, and grime to keep your surface sterile. On top of this, if somehow the plank gets damaged, you can pop it up with ease for repairing.
The Downsides of EVP Floor
Apart from the upsides, the engineered vinyl plank flooring has also some downsides. They are:
Don’t Increase Home Reselling Value
The real estate value of a home with hardwood or tile flooring is not the same as a house that has engineered vinyl plank surfaces. It doesn’t increase your home value as hardwood or tiles do.
May Scratch Easily
Though it is more scratch-proof compared to hardwood or laminate, it also gets scratched easily with heavy objects.
What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
The short form of Luxury Vinyl Plank is LVP. It’s an interlocking, plank-shaped floor type that mimics the look and feel of a natural hardwood surface. Like engineered vinyl plank, it’s also waterproof, durable, and requires minimum maintenance workflows. Therefore, it comes in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs that motivate homeowners to get it in their homes.
The Upsides of LVP Floor
Here are some breathtaking features & benefits you can enjoy by installing an LVP surface in your home.
Waterproof & Long-lasting
The LVP floor is virtually waterproof. You can place them in the wet areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and basement of your home. From the spilled water on the floor to pet messes, it can hold up pretty much everything. So, you don’t need to worry about its longevity.
Stylish
Perhaps the biggest advantage of luxury vinyl plank flooring is- it comes in a wide array of patterns, colors, and designs. So, you can choose one from there that resembles your existing home decor. The life-like patterns and textures of LVP flooring mimic the real look of the natural hardwood surface, which gives an authentic look to your home.
Low Maintenance
The only cleaning workflow you need to perform regularly is to mop and sweep your LVP surface to keep its authentic look for a long time. You can use any type of cleaning agent to pick up dirt, filth, and grime from the floor. As it can handle any type of wear & tear, you can place it in the high-traffic areas of your home.
The Downside of LVP Floor
Apart from its upsides, the LVP surface also has some downsides. They are:
- A little bit messy when it comes to installing it on the subfloor. You need to glue it down on the subfloor.
- Though it’s water-resistant, it can’t handle too much exposure to water.
- Not as durable as engineered vinyl plank flooring.
- Less insulating characteristics compared to the EVPs.
EVP Vs. LVP: Which is better LVP or EVP?
From above, you get an idea about EVP and LVP flooring, their upsides, and downsides as well. Now, it’s time to learn what makes the two floorings different from each other. So, let’s get started right here.
Thickness
The main difference between engineered vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank is the thickness. Engineered vinyl plank flooring is thicker than the luxury vinyl plank surface. It has three layers- top layer, high-density core board or middle layer, and underlayment. On other hand, luxury vinyl planks are made of a combination of several PVC materials. Due to the difference in thickness, EVP flooring lasts for a long time and can resist any wear & tear.
Ease of Installation
Compared to LVP flooring, engineered vinyl plank surface type is simple to install. EVP is a floating floor. In other words, you don’t need to mess with glue to install it. On the other hand, LVP requires glue to install it on the subfloor. Indeed, engineered vinyl planks are easy to install and you don’t need to hire a professional for this task.
Longevity
When it comes to durability, EVP just surpasses LVP flooring. As we mentioned earlier, the EVP floor is thicker and has three layers. As a result, it can resist water, high temperature, and regular wear & tear. On the other hand, the LVP surface can’t protect itself for a long time from exposure to UV rays from the sun. Though the luxury vinyl plank is waterproof, it can’t hold up water as the EVP does. Indeed, the top vinyl layer and rigid core layer of EVP make this flooring type long-lasting compared to its counterpart.
Appearance
The hardest part comes! It’s typical to choose the best one between EVP and LVP based on appearance. Both types of flooring mimic the natural look of a hardwood surface. So, we stay neutral here. Indeed, you can go for any flooring type if you buy a floor based on the look and style.
Heat Insulation
Actually, it depends on the core layer of the floor type. EVPs flooring has three layers and this floor consists of high-density and medium-density boards. On the other hand, LVP flooring uses polymer vinyl material as its core. And you know polymer is ineffective to insulate heat. Due to the core material, EVPs surface can insulate heat optimally and you feel it warmed when walking on it compared to the LVP surface.
Conclusion
So, engineered vinyl plank vs luxury vinyl plank: which is the best between the two?
Undoubtedly, EVP or engineered vinyl plank flooring is the best. It is thick enough to handle impacts and regular wear & tear. Therefore, it is waterproof, durable, and insulates heat optimally.
The downside of EVP flooring is it’s a bit pricey compared to the luxury vinyl plank floor. But you know quality always matters. If you are looking for a stylish, functional, and durable floor type, EVP will be your best trait.
On the other hand, LVP flooring will be your go-to option if you are on a budget.