An Introduction to LVT/LVP Flooring

If you’ve ever checked home-renovation videos or blogs, surely you must’ve come across one thing that keeps popping up and up: LVT and LVP Flooring. These stand for Luxury Vinyl Tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank, respectively.

These are modern vinyl floors that have quickly become one of the most popular choices for homeowners. They combine the look of high-end flooring with the durability and practicality of vinyl, giving a stylish surface that will endure pets, spills, liquids and you know, life in general.For easy reference LVP is the ‘wood-look’ version that mimics hardwood planks, while LVT is the stone/ceramic-look option. Now, thanks to high-res imaging and textured surfaces, these are nearly indistinguishable from real wood or tile once they have been installed. However, unlike those materiales LVT/LVP is softer, warmer and much more resistant to moisture and temperature changes.

Now you may be thinking ‘that’s all well and good, but right now I’m in no hurry to change/update my flooring’. Fair. But let us tell you why it is a good idea to know about LVT/LVP if you are a homeowner who has had to deal with foundation repairs, movement or the possibility of future shifting.

When any of the situations previously mentioned arise, the flooring you choose is way more important than you might think. Homes with foundation issues experience symptoms that directly impact flooring. Things like cracks, uneven subfloors, moisture intrusion and movement over time is something we see quite often. And when dealing with materials like hardwood or ceramic tile, they can become an expensive liability.

So, here are somethings you should keep in mind about LVT/LVP flooring:

1. More resistant to minor movement in comparison to wood or tile. While rigid floors can crack, separate or buckle with even slight foundation shift, LVT/LVP flooring is more flexible and forgiving. It tolerates slight unevenness and minor future movement. This will bring ease of mind to the homeowners who know they won’t be gambling away a few grands on a floor that could fail the next time soils expand after a rainy season.

2. It is ideal after foundation repair settlement periods. After repairs, a home needs time to settle into its new position. This means more small adjustments, which are a nightmare for rigid flooring. LVT/LVP floors—especially floating click-lock systems—can shift microscopically with the structure without cracking or warping. This makes them one of the most post-repair-friendly flooring choices available.

3. By avoiding premature damage, it saves you money. LVT/LVP significantly reduces the risk of post-installation damage—meaning fewer repairs, fewer replacements.

4. They are in ideal choice for slab-on-grade homes or moisture-prone areas. We know foundation issues often go hand-in-hand with moisture problems, especially on concrete slabs. Most LVP/LVT products are waterproof or at least highly water-resistant, making them a smart option for homes where the slab may have a history of moisture transmission. Pairing it with proper underlayment or vapor barriers adds another layer of protection.

   
   

5. They work great on imperfect subfloors. After foundation repair, homeowners are frequently left with floors that aren’t perfectly level. Tile requires near-perfect leveling. Hardwood can’t tolerate dips or humps. LVT/LVP is much more tolerant of slight imperfections, making it easier and cheaper to install without extensive floor prep.

6. You can replace it one plank at a time. One huge positive is that if there is damage or shifting, you don’t need to rip up the entire room. A simple replacement of the exact plank that’s been affected will suffice!

7. A good strategy in the long run. In regions such as ours, where soil movement is normal: high plasticity soils, high moisture changes and drought cycles, no foundation will be perfectly problem-free forever. But choosing a flooring that accommodates for this is a smart preventive strategy.

So, bottom line LVT/LVP flooring is a great option for homeowners dealing with foundation repairs. Whether you are considering your first home or you are already living in an area with shifting soils, LVT/LVP is a practical and foundation-friendly flooring solution that can help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress as it offers durability, flexibility, moisture resistance and cost protection that traditional flooring can’t match.

Join us next time as we will discuss one of LVT/LVP most important perks; it’s DIY friendliness!