The best luxury vinyl flooring: Features, installation and top brands

Key points

• The best luxury vinyl flooring has a protective top layer that extends the planks’ life span.

• Waterproof vinyl flooring is best for kitchens and bathrooms where water damage is likely.

• Prioritize a low-VOC LVP brand if you’re concerned about off-gassing or indoor air quality.

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are an increasingly popular flooring type. LVP flooring is water-resistant (with some types being 100% waterproof) and low-maintenance. It also closely resembles wood or stone floors thanks to advancements in design and texture. The only challenge is finding a reputable brand that fits your budget and lifestyle.

“Durability and style should be at the top of homeowners’ lists of what they want in luxury vinyl plank flooring,” said Daniel Cabrera, owner of Sell My House Fast, a full-service home renovation company located in San Antonio, Texas. “You want LVP that looks great with your home’s style but also can last the test of time with minimal maintenance.”

Below, we explain what features the best LVP flooring has, how installation affects quality and which flooring to choose based on your lifestyle. We also list the top LVP manufacturers and what they bring to the table to help you find the best luxury vinyl flooring for your home.

Durability and style should be at the top of homeowners’ lists of what they want in luxury vinyl plank flooring.

Daniel Cabrera

What features should you look for when choosing LVP flooring?

The best luxury vinyl flooring has a durable wear layer that resists physical damage and is 100% waterproof. It’s also comfortable to walk on and aesthetically appealing. Lastly, it will be reasonably affordable and have a solid warranty for peace of mind.

Below, we explain these and other key features to evaluate when choosing an LVP brand.

Thickness gauge

The thickness of the LVP product you choose will affect its durability and rigidity, but you’ll really need to look at the thickness of the individual layers to get a sense of which brand is right for you.

• Wear layer: The thicker the wear layer, the more durable your floor and the better it will withstand heavy foot traffic, pet claws and more.
• Core: The core layer is what gives LVP its rigidity. A thicker core will generally mean a more durable floor, but you’ll want to pay more attention to the core type. 
• Underlayment: The layer of underlayment will determine how comfortable your floor is to walk on, how quiet it is and how adaptable it is to installation over a surface that isn’t perfectly level or smooth.

The thickness of your LVP flooring will also affect how it feels underfoot. “The overall thickness will determine the stability and firmness of the floor,” said Kristopher Ayoub, owner of Ayoub N&H, a flooring retailer located in Kensington, Maryland, that handles installations, cleaning and repair. “Walking on a thin LVP will feel much different than a thicker one.” Thicker LVP flooring will feel more like a solid flooring option, such as hardwood, rather than one that flexes as you walk.

We explain each LVP layer in more detail below.

Wear layer

LVP floors feature a wear layer that helps protect the decorative layers of your flooring from scratches and abrasions. The wear layers of the LVP brands we reviewed range from 4 to 40 mils (1 mil equals 1/1000 inch). The thicker the wear layer, the more physical wear your LVP flooring will withstand.

“A thinner-mil product will look dull sooner than a higher-mil product,” said Ayoub. “If installed in a high-traffic area, a higher mil wear layer always performs better,” he added.

Ayoub noted that a 12-mil LVP flooring option provides the most value; Cabrera concurred.

“The most appropriate thickness of a wear layer for residential use should be a minimum of 12 mils to show practical value and performance,” Cabrera said. “The 12-mil wear layer should hold up well under everyday residential use.”

The protective top layer is always important when choosing an LVP product, and it might be the most crucial thing to consider if you have pets, as the wear layer will resist scratches from their claws.

Rigid core

The newest vinyl plank floors have solid cores, giving them greater stability and durability. You have two options when choosing rigid-core LVP floors:

• Stone plastic composite (SPC): The SPC core is made from plastic with embedded limestone or other stone. The core is rigid and offers less give.
• Wood plastic composite (WPC): This flooring is made from plastics with wood fibers embedded in the core. The planks are a bit less rigid than those with an SPC core, so they feel a little more comfortable to walk on.

“WPC is more suitable for residential use due to its comfort and durability,” said Cabrera, “and SPC provides a level of good stability and is ideal for public and high-traffic areas due to its denser core.”

“The SPC products are less likely to dent and have a more solid under-foot feel,” Ayoub added.

Attached underlayment

Most LVP flooring has an attached underlayment, usually made of foam, cork or rubber. Underlayments help smooth out your flooring, especially if you’re installing it over a slightly uneven surface.

“The underlayment doesn’t make a difference in terms of the overall level of the floor but will help cover up imperfections in the subfloor,” Ayoub said. “For example, small cracks or divots [in the subfloor] won’t be noticeable, whereas they may be visible from the surface if an LVP doesn’t have the attached padding.”

Underlayment will also provide a bit of give while you’re walking on the floor, so it can feel more comfortable.

“An attached underlayment can [also] greatly enhance the acoustic performance of the flooring,” said Cabrera. “[It] helps reduce the transmission of sounds, a very important property in multistory applications.”

Embossed in register (EIR)

LVP flooring that is embossed in register (EIR) has undergone an embossing process that creates a realistic wood texture.

“This process creates alignment in the texturing of vinyl flooring with the wood grain pattern, making the realism and depth much better,” Cabrera explained. “It is equally important for realistic wood grain appearance.”

Some LVP products are entirely smooth and have a decorative layer under the wear layer that gives a two-dimensional wood grain appearance. EIR creates a three-dimensional surface with raised “grain” matching the grain pattern on the decorative layer. The result is a very convincing, natural wood look.

Consider EIR planks if you want high-end luxury vinyl flooring that looks and feels like real wood.

Water resistance

Your LVP flooring’s water resistance is a crucial aspect to consider if you’re installing it in a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room, where leaks and spills are a risk. Some LVP flooring is only water-resistant, while other options are waterproof. 

If you have children who are more likely to spill things on your floor, waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring might be the best option, whether in the living room or the bedroom.

Low VOC emissions

Vinyl flooring is made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers, which always contain some level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), such as phthalates. Over time, plastic can off-gas these compounds.

Perhaps most crucial is the presence of phthalates in PVC. Studies have shown an association between phthalate exposure and health problems, including disrupted hormonal production, in humans — specifically children. If you have kids or plan on having kids in the future, or you’re just concerned about exposure to phthalates, you might want to consider a phthalate-free LVP floor, like the ones from Forbo.

PVC itself is not considered a carcinogen, according to the National Cancer Institute, but exposure to vinyl chloride — which is used to make PVC — has been associated with liver, brain and lung cancer, as well as lymphoma and leukemia.

Other research shows that throughout its life cycle, PVC releases chlorine-based chemicals that build up in the water, air and food chain. These toxins can subsequently disrupt hormonal production and damage the immune system.

Consider the potential health risks when choosing LVP flooring and opt for low-VOC options.

Unique design

Visuals are important when choosing any new flooring. You’ll have many options when it comes to the appearance of your LVP flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring comes in various wood species, colors, grain patterns and plank sizes. You can usually order samples of LVP flooring to get a sense of how the product will look in your space.

What are the best luxury vinyl plank flooring brands?

Here are the best luxury vinyl plank flooring brands:

NuCore Flooring

NuCore flooring is an exclusive product available from Floor & Decor. It’s 100% waterproof, making it an especially great option for kitchens and bathrooms, where spills and leaks are more likely. It also has a 22-mil wear layer to resist scratches, dents and other damage. As such, it will stand up well to foot traffic and could be a good option if you have kids or pets.

NuCore LVP flooring has a cork layer on the bottom that softens the feel of the floor beneath your feet. According to the manufacturer, there is no acclimatization period, so it might be a good option if you’re in a rush to get your new flooring down. The flooring also comes with a lifetime residential warranty.

NuCore vinyl plank flooring ranges from $2.59 to $4.69 per square foot for the materials alone.

COREtec Floors

COREtec was founded in 2012 and was the first LVP brand to sell 100% waterproof floors. It continues that tradition today with an entire inventory of waterproof LVP flooring. Shaw Industries, a worldwide carpeting manufacturer, purchased COREtec in 2012.

COREtec doesn’t publish specifications regarding the thickness of its wear layer, but it does advertise its products as “scratchless” and includes language in its warranties that the planks will never sustain permanent damage under normal use conditions.

COREtec LVPs are available as wood-look flooring or tile- or stone-look flooring. The wood-look flooring costs between $4.99 to $10.59 per square foot for the materials alone, and the tile- and stone-look options cost between $6.39 and $10.39 per square foot for materials.

SmartCore Flooring by Lowe’s

SmartCore LVP flooring is available exclusively from Lowe’s, although COREtec — and, by extension, Shaw Industries — actually manufactures it. All of the SmartCore flooring options are 100% waterproof, making them great for areas prone to spills and plumbing or appliance leaks.

SmartCore luxury vinyl planks have a 12-mil wear layer, which is significantly thinner than other options. However, Shaw still provides a lifetime warranty for SmartCore flooring that guarantees the wear layer will resist normal use. The warranty doesn’t include scratch resistance, though.

SmartCore planks range in price from $2.80 to $4.29 per square foot for the materials, making it a relatively affordable option.

Lifeproof Vinyl by Home Depot

Lifeproof vinyl flooring is only available from Home Depot, although Halstead International is the manufacturer. Lifeproof LVP flooring is available with wear layers ranging from 6 to 30 mils, with the more wear-resistant options costing more per square foot. All of the Lifeproof flooring options are waterproof.

Despite some of the products having a thinner wear layer than you’d find on other brands, Lifeproof flooring still comes with a limited lifetime warranty that guarantees normal wear won’t expose the decorative layers underneath.

Lifeproof Vinyl costs between $1.34 and $3.51 per square foot, excluding the installation labor.

Pergo Extreme

Pergo Extreme comes from Pergo, which is a popular laminate flooring brand. This LVP flooring is 100% waterproof, and some of the products have an antimicrobial coating to help keep your floors clean. This makes them a good option for homes with pets and kids where messes are more likely.

Pergo Extreme comes in three product lines: Originals, Preferred and Ultra.

• Originals: comes with a 30-year limited residential warranty and has a standard texture
• Preferred: comes with a limited lifetime residential warranty and has a premium texture, antimicrobial coating and “GenuEdge” technology for a more realistic plank look
• Ultra: includes a limited lifetime residential warranty, premium texture and antimicrobial coating

All options include a 20-mil wear layer.

Pergo isn’t available directly from the manufacturer, so prices can vary based on the local retailer from which you buy it.

Mohawk Flooring

Mohawk Flooring was founded in 1878, manufactures all of its products in the U.S. and provides a wide array of flooring options, including carpet, wood floors and LVP. The LVP offerings alone come in a few different product lines, with wear layers ranging from 12 to 20 mil.

• PureTech: features a core free of PVC, reducing off-gassing; made with sustainable materials and is 100% waterproof
• SolidTech: waterproof flooring with a durable 20-mil wear layer
• VersaTech: includes a lifetime residential warranty and is 100% waterproof; has an antimicrobial coating to help keep your floors clean
• UltimateFlex: 100% waterproof with a thick 20-mil wear layer for maximum durability

Mohawk LVP flooring is available from independent retailers, so prices can vary. For example, the cost per square foot ranges from $1.97 to $4.36 from Lowe’s.

TrafficMaster Allure

TrafficMaster is a budget LVP brand and another option that is exclusive to Home Depot, although Shaw manufactures the actual product. This flooring has a thin wear layer between 4 and 6 mils, and it’s not waterproof, so it might not be ideal for you if you have a high risk of spills in your home or are concerned about plumbing or appliance leaks.

TrafficMaster is more affordable than most of the other brands we’ve reviewed, ranging from $1.29 to $2.27 per square foot for the materials per Home Depot.

Karndean Flooring

Karndean Flooring has been around since 1973 and has a wide range of LVP and LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring options available, so this is an outstanding brand if you’re after a specific look. The flooring has a 20-mil wear layer, so it’s a durable option suitable for homes with kids and pets. All of Karndean’s LVP products include a limited lifetime residential warranty.

Karndean manufactures flooring options that should suit most budgets, with products from three collections that vary widely in price. There is no pricing available from the manufacturer, so the cost will depend on the retailer.

Mannington Adura Max

Mannington was founded in 1915 and has since expanded its flooring options to include LVP and LVT options designed for various budgets and lifestyles. Adura LVP flooring is waterproof and includes a high-resistance wear layer with a thickness of 20 mils. All of the products come with a limited lifetime warranty for residential use.

There are four Adura product lines. The Adura Max lineup of LVP flooring options includes MicroBan technology, which improves floor cleanliness with an antimicrobial coating, making it a particularly good option for homes with children and pets. The flooring also has attached padding to dampen sound.

Mannington doesn’t sell products directly, so it doesn’t provide pricing. Flooring Inc. lists prices between $5 and $7 per square foot for materials alone.

Forbo Flooring Systems

Forbo Flooring was founded in 1948 and provides various flooring options, including the Allura line, which includes LVP and LVT flooring. Forbo flooring might be your best option if you expect heavy foot traffic over your flooring, as the wear layers range from 14 mils all the way up to 40 mils.

The Allura line is 100% phthalate-free, which is another point in favor of its suitability for homes with children and pets.

The cost of this flooring will vary based on the retailer from which you purchase it. As an example of pricing, the cost of Forbo Allura LVP flooring from Lowe’s ranges from $3.88 to $4.77 per square foot. The premium options with a 40-mil wear layer will cost more.

What’s next?

Choosing the best luxury vinyl plank brand for your home should start with carefully considering your lifestyle. If you have children or pets, a thick wear layer and long-lasting warranty are features you’ll want to prioritize.

A low-VOC or phthalate-free LVP floor might be in your best interest if you are concerned about off-gassing. If you have older residents living in your home or want to maximize comfort, consider an LVP product with a thick underlayment and a WPC core.

You can speak with a local flooring expert for brand recommendations and accurate product pricing based on the material and installation cost per square foot.