Special offer

Luxury Vinyl. What is it? Is it an oxymoron?

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

Vinyl has really come a long way.  It's not just the sheet vinyl or those peel & stick tiles.  The fastest growing segment is luxury vinyl which I know sounds like an oxymoron or a contradiction.

luxury vinyl westchester NY

Luxury vinyl comes in individual planks that look like hardwood, or in tiles and grout strips for tile look.  The individual pieces look and feel real - they have graining and texture variation that make it look like real hardwood, and the grooves at the edges give it real definition...in fact, so much so, that it fools many of the experts.  I've had samples in my office that people in the biz did double takes on after I've pointed it out - they never would have known if I hadn't said anything.

Luxury vinyl is a great option if you need something WATERPROOF.  It can be great for basements or kitchens or commercial establishments.  It super easy to clean and you don't need to worry about anyone tracking in water or snow and ruining it.

luxury vinyl that looks like tile westchester

Now, as the name implies, it is luxury, so it significantly more expensive than the sheet vinyl...and well worth it.

Also, feel free to download our free flooring guide.  Or, email us with any questions.

Comments(18)

Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Debbie,

I can see some great applications for this...like you said it would be great in basements...or in areas with lots of potential track in...

Jul 17, 2010 03:46 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Debbie, I had never heard of luxury vinyl before. It sounds like an interesting concept. Now all someone has to do is come up with fashionable polyester.

Jul 17, 2010 03:47 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debbie,

Interesting post.  One needs to change the brand, luxury does not equal vinyl, in my world at least regardless of its attributes.

Jul 17, 2010 03:49 AM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

Thanks for the post, I will visit your flooring guide, sounds interesting I too had never heard of LUXURY vinyl

Jul 17, 2010 03:58 AM
Carla Dimond
CATARRA - Mountain View, CA
(Silicon Valley)

Debbie, thanks wish I knew about this product before I redid the floors in my rental property

Jul 17, 2010 04:02 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debbie - I've been hearing more and more about luxury vinyl so thank you for the information and I will download the guide. And I love your other posts on flooring.

Jul 17, 2010 04:08 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Lori - Yes, it's great for certain applications (for others I prefer the real stuff).  But, if you like the look of hardwood and need waterproof, it's perfect for that.

Malcolm - LOL. Yes, that would be an amazing feat.

Ron & Alexandra - Yes, you're right; they should have a different name.  It seems to confuse customers.  I agree.

Carla - Well, the good news is now you know for next time

Kathy - Glad you went to download the guide and I hope it's useful.  And, thx for the compliment on the other posts.  That means a lot to me.

Jul 17, 2010 04:48 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Doris - I hope that you get a chance to download it.  I know you have to put in your contact info to get, so pls don't let that intimidate you...that info is just going to me and don't worry, we won't pester you with anything.  It's just that we need it to send it to you.

Jul 17, 2010 04:49 AM
Mark Woodward
Floor Coverings International - Randolph, NJ
We bring the flooring store to your door

Debbie - this is a great read.  You did an outstanding job of explaining what luxury vinyl is and its many uses!

Jul 22, 2010 03:06 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

who would have thought that luxury and vinyl could be used in the same sentence....!

 

Jul 22, 2010 03:13 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Debbie, when I saw "Luxury Vinyl" my first thought was "Oxymoron".  Some of these floors don't look awful!

Jul 22, 2010 03:22 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Mark - Thx for the compliment and the reblog.  Means a lot to me.

Sally & David - I know.  It really does seem like an oxymoron.

Patricia - We are so on the same page.  And, in real life many of these look amazing.  While in general, I prefer the "real stuff" there are certain applications where this is actually a better option.

Jul 23, 2010 12:23 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Debbie - I didn't know about this - thanks for updating us all!

Jul 22, 2011 12:30 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Judy - You're welcome.  Oh, I see I have spam comment above.  Just reported it.

Jul 22, 2011 12:46 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Debbie- I have this in part of my office.  The reception area, the hall way and the customer bathroom.  It still looks completely new after nearly 5 years and I have a LOT of traffic.  I have had kids who are holy terrors run up and down the hall, contractors with totally nasty boots, even a couple of pet accidents....  and it still looks fabulous.  It has a 1/8th inch under lay and sounds like wood when you walk on it in heels.  Most people have to bend down and feel it to believe me when I say it is vinyl.  I give this product my highest endorsement.

Aug 04, 2011 03:05 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Tammy - That is so great to hear.  Yes, luxury vinyl is so sturdy and easy to clean, and it really does look real.  It's perfect for commercial locations.

Aug 04, 2011 10:28 PM
Anonymous
Dana
Hi Debbie, Great article. I am planning to do a home renovation and is doing a research regarding the latest trends. I found the post very useful. I am planning to replace my carpet flooring with Vinyl flooring.
Mar 08, 2014 04:38 AM
#17
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Dana - Thanks so much.  I'm so glad to hear that.

Mar 08, 2014 08:05 AM