Quick answer
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a resilient floor covering made in plank form from layers of vinyl, with a printed design layer that imitates wood and a clear wear layer on top, installed glued down, loose-laid or as a click-together floating floor.
Square or rectangular versions are called luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Newer “rigid core” LVP adds a stiff stone-polymer (SPC) or foamed (WPC) core that resists water and denting.
Quick facts
The key facts about Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), with sources:
Key takeaways
- LVP is vinyl flooring in long planks with a photo-real wood look and a clear protective wear layer.
- Flexible LVP is usually glued down; rigid core LVP (SPC or WPC) usually clicks together as a floating floor.
- Water resistant planks do not stop water from reaching the subfloor through walls, gaps or bad seams.
- The installation rules come from each maker’s guide: flatness, moisture limits, acclimation and expansion gaps.
- Removing old resilient flooring in older homes can disturb asbestos, so test before you tear out.
What luxury vinyl plank is
LVP is a manufactured floor that looks like wood but is made of vinyl layers. A printed film gives the wood grain, texture is embossed into the surface, and a clear wear layer protects the print.
The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), the industry trade group for vinyl and other resilient floors, describes luxury vinyl tile as flexible resilient flooring made in tiles or planks, with film printing and in-register embossing that copy natural wood and stone 1.
A newer class is rigid core flooring. RFCI defines it as modular flooring with a rigid polymeric core, a decorative top surface and an optional soft underlayment attached to the bottom 2. It comes in two builds.
SPC (solid polymer core) is dense and hard, with better resistance to dents and to changes in size with temperature. WPC (expanded polymer core) is lighter and softer underfoot, with good sound qualities 2.
“Resilient” is a flooring category, not a marketing word. It groups floors that give slightly under load, such as vinyl, rubber, linoleum and cork. LVP sits there, next to sheet vinyl and vinyl composition tile.
How an LVP floor is built and held in place
- Wear layer on top. A clear layer protects the print from scuffs. Makers sell a range of wear layers for different traffic 2.
- Printed design layer. A high-resolution film creates the wood look 1.
- Body or core. Flexible vinyl layers in classic LVP; a rigid SPC or WPC core in rigid core LVP 2.
- Optional attached underlayment. Cork or foam on the back of many rigid planks adds comfort and cuts sound 2.
- Locking or adhesive. Flexible planks are usually glued or loose-laid; rigid planks usually click together and float without fasteners 12.
- Wear layerClear protective film
- Printed design layerWood or stone image
- Rigid coreSPC (dense) or WPC (foamed)
- Attached underlayment (optional)Cork or foam for comfort and sound
- SubfloorMust meet the maker’s flatness and moisture limits
Flexible LVP has no rigid core; it relies on adhesive or its own weight to stay in place. Source: [2] [4]
A floating floor moves as a single sheet with temperature. That is why makers require a gap at every wall and fixed object, and why cabinets and islands go in before the floor, not on top of it 4.
Types of LVP: flexible, SPC and WPC
| Type | How it installs | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible LVP, glue-down | Adhered to the subfloor 1 | Stable under rolling loads; thin | Needs a very smooth subfloor; adhesive limits |
| Flexible LVP, loose-lay | Stays flat with little or no adhesive 1 | Easy to replace planks; goes over some hard floors | Usually for specific product designs only |
| Rigid core, SPC | Click-lock floating floor 2 | Dense; resists dents; stable with temperature | Harder underfoot; may be louder without underlayment |
| Rigid core, WPC | Click-lock floating floor 2 | Lighter and softer; good sound qualities | Less dent resistance than SPC |
Example: ordering and spacing LVP for one room
One maker’s rules apply in this LVP example, taken from RW Supply+Design’s rigid core vinyl installation guidelines dated January 2024 4. Your product’s guide may differ.
| Step | Figure | Rule or math |
|---|---|---|
| Room size | 12 ft × 15 ft = 180 sq ft | Measured floor area |
| Add waste for a straight lay | 180 × 1.10 = 198 sq ft | Guide recommends adding 10% 4 |
| If laid on a diagonal | 180 × 1.18 ≈ 213 sq ft | Guide recommends adding 18% 4 |
| Perimeter gap | At least 1/4 in at walls and fixed objects | Rooms up to 50 × 50 ft or 2,500 sq ft 4 |
| Subfloor flatness check | No dip over 3/16 in in 10 ft | Or 1/8 in in 6 ft 4 |
| Concrete slab moisture | Under 4 lb per 1,000 sq ft per 24 h, or 70% RH | ASTM F1869 or ASTM F2170 tests 4 |
Order (sq ft) = Room area (sq ft) × (1 + Waste allowance)
Room area- Length × width of each room, added together
Waste allowance- 10% straight lay or 18% diagonal in one maker’s guide
Round up to whole cartons. Keep a spare carton for future repairs, as the maker’s care section suggests.
Source: [4]
A 12 × 15 ft room is well under the size limit, so a 1/4 in gap covers it under this guide.
A long open plan over 50 ft in any direction would need a 1/2 in gap for each 50 ft section 4. Our flooring calculator does the area and waste math for you.
Where LVP details show up on a quote and a spec sheet
On a quote: Look for the brand and product line, plank size, core type (flexible, SPC or WPC), wear layer, whether underlayment is attached or separate, square footage including waste, subfloor prep, removal of old flooring, transitions and baseboard work. If two quotes differ, the subfloor prep line is often why.
On the spec sheet: Makers list thickness, wear layer, core type, installation method, warranty terms and certifications such as FloorScore. FloorScore means the product’s chemical (VOC) emissions were certified by SCS Global Services against the California Section 01350 criteria 3.
In the installation guide: This is where the binding numbers live: flatness, moisture limits, acclimation, expansion gaps, radiant heat limits and approved rooms 4. Warranties usually depend on following it.
Get the install guide before you sign
Ask for the maker’s installation guide for the exact product, and check that the quote includes the subfloor prep it requires. Damage from skipping those steps is often excluded from the warranty 4.
LVP pros and cons
Strengths
- Water resistant surface and cores in many products, suited to kitchens, baths and laundry rooms per maker guides 24.
- Realistic wood and stone looks from printed and embossed layers 1.
- Floating rigid core floors can tolerate minor subfloor variation better than flexible products 2.
- Individual planks can be replaced in a modular floor 2.
Weaknesses
- Not for continually wet rooms or outdoors, in at least one maker’s guide 4.
- Can fade or discolor in long direct sun; makers suggest window treatments 4.
- Floating floors need expansion gaps and cannot be pinned under cabinets 4.
- Cannot be sanded and refinished like solid wood; a worn wear layer means replacement.
Limits: what “waterproof” LVP does not do
Many rigid core planks are sold as waterproof. That claim is about the plank and, when correctly installed, the seams.
One maker’s guide explains that water will not pass between properly seated planks under a 24-hour surface test, but can still pass through badly seated seams and along walls 4.
Water from a leak or flood can also run under the floor from the edges.
Moisture from below is another limit. A wet slab or crawl space can damage the subfloor and grow mold under any floor. Makers set slab moisture limits and require a vapor barrier in some cases, and they exclude damage from subfloor moisture from the warranty 4.
Heat is the third limit. Radiant floor heat is allowed by many makers only within strict surface temperatures; one guide caps the floor surface at 80°F and calls for a 1/2 in gap in heated rooms 4.
What drives the cost of LVP, and how long it lasts
We do not publish flooring prices. The cost drivers are the product (core type, thickness, wear layer, attached underlayment), the amount of waste for the room shape and pattern, and above all the labor for removal and subfloor prep.
Leveling a floor to meet a 3/16 in in 10 ft flatness rule 4, moisture testing a slab, removing old flooring safely, and undercutting door casings all add labor. Stairs and many transitions add more.
Lifespan depends mainly on the wear layer and the traffic, and on following the care rules: felt pads, mats at entries, no beater-bar vacuums or steam cleaners in one maker’s care guide 4.
Warranty length is set by each maker and usually depends on following its installation guide. The flooring calculator linked in the example above estimates material, and the remodeling cost guide covers labor drivers.
How LVP is installed, from prep to trim
A flooring installer usually does this work. Most LVP installs do not need a building permit on their own, but removal of old flooring in an older home may involve hazardous materials.
- Install cabinets, islands and other permanent fixtures first; floating floors are not placed under them 4.
- Check for hazards in old flooring before removal (see the warning below).
- Test and prepare the subfloor: clean, dry and flat to the maker’s tolerance 4.
- Test concrete for moisture with the method the maker names, such as ASTM F1869 or F2170 4.
- Acclimate the planks to a room kept between 60°F and 80°F, as one guide requires 4.
- Lay out rows to avoid thin cuts, mixing planks from several cartons.
- Leave the expansion gap at every wall and fixed object 4.
- Install transitions and trim that cover the gap without pinning the floor.
Caring for an LVP floor
- Use felt pads on furniture legs and mats under rolling chairs 4.
- Put rugs at entries to catch grit, which wears the top layer 4.
- Wipe up spills promptly so they cannot migrate along seams into the subfloor 4.
- Avoid steam cleaners and beater-bar vacuums, which at least one maker excludes 4.
- Limit long direct sun with window treatments to reduce fading 4.
- Keep spare planks for repairs.
Warning signs and when to call a pro
- Peaking or buckling seams, often a missing expansion gap or a floor pinned by cabinets or trim.
- Gaps opening between planks after temperature swings.
- A soft or bouncy area, which can mean subfloor damage or a dip beyond the flatness limit.
- Musty smell or dark edges near walls, a sign water is getting under the floor.
- Clicking or hollow sounds over an uneven subfloor.
Old flooring can contain asbestos
Older vinyl floor tiles, sheet flooring and their adhesives may contain asbestos.
EPA says you generally cannot tell by looking, that you should treat suspect material as asbestos and leave it alone, and that a trained, accredited professional should take samples before a remodel disturbs it 5.
Do not sand, scrape or grind old flooring until it has been tested.
Moisture signs mean the subfloor needs checking, not just the planks. EPA advises fixing the water source and drying wet areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold 6.
Standards and rules that apply to LVP
Building codes. Model residential codes say little about vinyl floor finishes. The rules that bind an LVP install are the maker’s instructions, which many warranties depend on 4. In wet areas, the code’s rules for showers and tubs still apply to the walls and floors around them.
Product standards and certification. RFCI runs the ASSURE certification program for rigid core flooring, operated by SCS Global Services, and the FloorScore indoor-air certification, which tests VOC emissions against California Section 01350 23. Check the product’s own data sheet for the ASTM product standard it meets.
Asbestos and lead. Removing old flooring falls under federal and state asbestos rules when asbestos is present, and EPA advises professional sampling before remodeling 5.
LVP vs other plank floors
| Floor | Core | Water at the surface | Can it be refinished? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVP, rigid core | SPC or WPC polymer 2 | Resistant when seams are seated 4 | No |
| LVP, flexible | Vinyl layers 1 | Resistant surface; seams vary | No |
| Laminate flooring | Wood-fiber board | Varies by product | No |
| Engineered hardwood | Plywood or similar with a real wood top | Sensitive to standing water | Sometimes, depending on top layer |
| Solid hardwood | Solid wood | Sensitive to standing water | Yes, several times |
LVP myths
- Myth Waterproof LVP protects the subfloor from any leak.
- Reality Water can pass through badly seated seams and along walls, and subfloor moisture damage is excluded in at least one warranty 4.
- Myth LVP can go over any floor without prep.
- Reality Makers set flatness, moisture and cleanliness rules, and list subfloors they do not accept 4.
- Myth Floating floors do not need gaps.
- Reality They expand and contract and need a perimeter gap 4.
- Myth All vinyl plank is the same.
- Reality Flexible, SPC and WPC differ in stiffness, density and install method 12.
- Myth Old vinyl can just be ripped up.
- Reality Older resilient flooring may contain asbestos; test first 5.
Climate and site conditions that change an LVP install
LVP is sold nationally, but site conditions decide whether it works. Homes over damp crawl spaces or slabs need moisture testing and sometimes a vapor barrier before installation 4.
Rooms with big temperature swings, such as sunrooms or seasonal cabins, push floating floors to expand and contract; one maker limits installation to rooms kept between 60°F and 80°F 4.
Older housing stock adds the asbestos question for any flooring removal 5.
When LVP is a good fit
LVP fits kitchens, family rooms, basements over dry slabs and bathrooms where you want a wood look with more water resistance than wood. Choose rigid core for floating installs over imperfect subfloors and flexible glue-down where rolling loads or thin profiles matter.
It is a weaker fit for continually wet rooms, outdoor spaces, rooms with intense sun and no window treatments, or where you want a floor that can be refinished. If LVP is part of a kitchen remodel, make sure the cabinets go in first.
- If Subfloor is uneven but sound
- Then Rigid core, after meeting the maker’s flatness limit
- If Rolling chairs or heavy carts
- Then Consider glue-down flexible LVP or protective mats
- If Slab or crawl space may be damp
- Then Test moisture first; fix the source before any floor
- If Old resilient flooring must come out
- Then Have it tested for asbestos before removal
Questions about Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
What is the difference between LVP and LVT?
They are the same material in different shapes. LVP comes in long planks that look like wood boards. LVT, luxury vinyl tile, comes in squares or rectangles that often look like stone or ceramic. RFCI groups them together as flexible luxury vinyl, made in tiles or planks.
Is luxury vinyl plank really waterproof?
Many rigid core planks resist water, and properly seated seams can hold water on the surface. But water can still pass through badly seated seams and along walls, and leaks can run under the floor from the edges. Treat LVP as water resistant flooring, not as a waterproofing layer for the subfloor.
What is the difference between SPC and WPC flooring?
Both are rigid core vinyl. SPC has a solid, dense polymer core that resists dents and is stable with temperature changes. WPC has an expanded, foamed core that is lighter, softer underfoot and quieter. RFCI notes both have water resistant cores and come in a range of wear layers.
Does luxury vinyl plank need an expansion gap?
Floating LVP does. It expands and contracts with temperature, so makers require a gap at walls and fixed objects. One maker’s guide asks for at least 1/4 inch in rooms up to 2,500 square feet and 1/2 inch for larger areas or rooms with radiant heat. Follow your product’s guide.
Can LVP be installed over an existing floor?
Sometimes. Rigid core products can often go over flat, sound hard surfaces, and loose-lay products are designed for some existing floors. The maker’s guide lists which floors are acceptable and how flat they must be. Old resilient flooring may contain asbestos, which is a reason to cover it rather than tear it out without testing.
Do you need to acclimate LVP before installing?
Follow the maker’s instructions. Some rigid core guides require planks to reach room temperature, kept between 60°F and 80°F, before installation. Others say acclimation is not required if the space is climate controlled. Either way, the room should be at normal living conditions before and after the install.
How flat does the subfloor need to be for LVP?
It depends on the product. One common rigid core requirement is no more than 3/16 inch variation in 10 feet, or 1/8 inch in 6 feet. Flexible glue-down vinyl generally needs a smoother surface. High spots are ground down and low spots filled before the floor goes in.
Can you put cabinets on top of LVP?
Not on top of a floating LVP floor. The floor needs to move, so makers ask for cabinets, islands and vanities to be installed first, with the floor running up to them and a gap left around each. Glue-down vinyl has different rules; follow the product’s guide.
Is LVP safe for indoor air?
Look for an indoor-air certification. FloorScore, run by RFCI and certified by SCS Global Services, means the product’s VOC emissions meet the California Section 01350 criteria. Ventilate during and after installation, and ask for the certification on the product data sheet.
Sources
- Resilient Floor Covering Institute, Flexible LVP/LVT, retrieved .
- Resilient Floor Covering Institute, Rigid Core (SPC, WPC, multilayer), retrieved .
- Resilient Floor Covering Institute, FloorScore certification, retrieved .
- RW Supply+Design, Rigid Core Vinyl Installation Guidelines (valid as of January 2024), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreRemodel Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Product definitions and the SPC and WPC distinction come from RFCI’s flexible LVT and rigid core pages; indoor-air certification from RFCI’s FloorScore page.
Installation figures (flatness, moisture limits, acclimation, expansion gaps, waste, care) come from one named maker’s January 2024 guide and are labelled as that maker’s rules, not industry standards. ASTM’s site was down for maintenance on the retrieval date, so no ASTM product-standard figures are quoted. Hazard guidance is from EPA. No prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.