Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile

AUBURN OAK

Burmese Teak

DEEP MAHOGANY

Neutral Oak

Smoky Oak

TAWNY OAK

UMBER OAK

Weathered Barnboard

WHISPERING WOOD

TATTERED BARNBOARD

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) has grown in popularity over the years. Technology has given manufacturers the ability to make flooring that looks indistinguishable from hardwood and tile. Not only that, most Luxury Vinyl is 100% waterproof, which makes it a great choice for any area of your home. Not all Luxury Vinyl is created equal though. It is important to know what you’re getting before you overspend on an inferior product. Let’s look a little closer…

What is LVT/LVP?

Similar to Laminate, Luxury Vinyl is constructed in layers. The top layer is called a wear layer which is usually made of a thin, clear plastic which helps protect the surface from scratches, stains, and fading from UV rays. The next layer is the design layer which is a high definition picture of the material you are trying to replicate. Under the design is the core layer which is usually made of different moisture proof materials (we’ll discuss the differences below). Finally, there is a backing layer on the bottom which adds extra protection from moisture, mold, and mildew. Some laminates also come with an attached padding to help with comfort and sound.

What are the benefits of Luxury Vinyl?

Waterproof – Most Luxury Vinyl is 100% waterproof. However, keep in mind that this applies to the product itself. This doesn’t necessarily mean the water cannot seep between the seams.

Installation – Luxury Vinyl is much easier to install than hardwood or tile. This makes it a great choice for a do-it-yourself flooring project.

Cleaning – Luxury Vinyl is very low maintenance. You can use a broom, vacuum, or any cleaner designed for Luxury Vinyl.

Durability – Luxury Vinyl extremely durable, especially when it comes to scratches and dents. However, take note that the thinner the wear layer, the less durable the product.

Versatility – Luxury Vinyl can be installed over most solid and level surfaces, thus eliminating the need to tear up your existing flooring. It can also be installed virtually anywhere.

Things to consider…

Wear Layer – The wear layer is what protects the design. Wear layers are measured in “mils”, not to be confused with millimeters. Most often, you will see 6, 12, or 20 mil wear layers. We recommend a minimum of 12 mils for residential use. If you have pets or an active family, you may want to go up to 20 mils. Commercial settings will often need more than that.

Floating or Glue-Down Installation – Luxury Vinyl is designed to either be glued down or “floating” (aka drop-and-lock). Floating is a better choice if you are doing your own installation since it is easier to install. Also, depending on the condition of the existing surface, floating installation requires the least amount of preparation and can hide small imperfections. Glue-down installation is a better choice for high traffic or commercial settings. Another benefit of glue-down installation is that damaged pieces can usually be easily replaced.

Core Layer – Traditional glue-down LVP and LVT feature a stable vinyl core that allows it to remain flexible but sturdy. There are 2 basic core layers of floating Luxury Vinyl, WPC and SPC (also known as Rigid Core). WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite. WPC usually features a thicker core, which is not necessarily better, but it allows a better visual effect and deeper embossing. WPC offers a sturdy core, but a little more cushion than SPC. SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite and is virtually indestructible. While these are thinner than WPC, they are more dimensionally stable and dent resistant. However, due to the hardness of the core, you won’t get as much of a cushion underfoot nor the HD visuals that are possible with WPC..

LVP and LVT is becoming the hottest flooring type on the market. But with so many choices out there now, it is important to know that you are getting what you pay for. Just because it looks like high quality doesn’t mean it will perform as such. While some stores are happy with selling you just about anything, we at Columbia Floor Source, we strive to let our customers know exactly what to expect from their purchase before they commit.

West Columbia, SC
2744 Emanuel Church Road
West Columbia, SC 29170
View Map

Phone: 803-520-0044
Fax: 803-520-0043
Email: acdflooring@gmail.com
Hours: M-F: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hub Plott
Hub Plott
19:52 22 Apr 20
Great price and quick installation. They made it as painless as possible. The work was completed quickly and expertly. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for flooring. You will get good work and products done at a very fair price!read more
Kinsey Faucette
Kinsey Faucette
15:29 02 Oct 19
Great prices and friendly staff!
Private Review
Private Review
02:29 30 Jul 19
Unfortunately, this was a terrible experience. I met with the owner and he lied to me on numerous occasions, and proceeded to blame is staff every time he was confronted. He spent the entire time I was at his store trying to spend thousands of dollars with him on his phone not even paying attention to me. He is only after money and making himself look good. Do yourself a favor and find somewhere else. Don’t be pulled in by the cheap prices. The service you get is not worth. I am still waiting on my floors to be installed this to paid for weeks ago, and was promised they would be installed on a certain date. That date has been moved 3 times and now won’t take my calls. I will be going to the better business bureau. Stay away.read more
Hugh Hugh
Hugh Hugh
13:28 25 Jun 19
Great costumer service, affordable price. Quality materials
mona norris
mona norris
15:08 10 Jun 19
Excellent service and materials. Good prices.
Xaque Williams
Xaque Williams
23:57 01 May 19
This really needs to be a 6/5 stars! From the moment I walked in the door Steven was helpful and welcoming. He was able to show me a product that was in my price range and gave me a quote. I left and came back later that day to purchase and they had all my info on hand. They actually got me a better carpet for a few dollars less than originally quoted! They were able to set up for installation within the short time frame I needed without extra cost. The guys who came out to install did a very fast and professional job! Excellent work! Excellent experience with this company! Would buy here again and recommend to a friend or family member 11/10! Thanks Columbia floor source!!!read more
Brooke Beach
Brooke Beach
23:00 28 Feb 19
Columbia Floor Source did an excellent job replacing all the floors downstairs and my hallway upstairs. The wood floors were completed in two days. They moved our furniture and put everything back properly. Everyone was extremely nice and polite. I highly recommend this company if you are replacing your floors. The price was extremely low compared to other companies and they did an EXCELLENT job!read more
Amy Holland
Amy Holland
21:01 22 Feb 19
I drive by this place every day. Looks like a warehouse but I decided to go in. It's very nice inside. Very friendly staff. Selection was great! They came out free of charge and gave me an estimate the same day. Their price was the best by far!read more
Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson
17:31 05 Feb 19
After wasting a month dealing with Lowes, we decided to try a locally owned shop. Wow! Great customer service! They are extremely knowledgeable, honest, and fairly priced. The flooring looks great, and the workmanship was above and beyond our expectations. Highly recommended!read more
Craig Jackson
Craig Jackson
17:16 31 Jan 19
This place was very clean and the owner made .me feel welcome.they had very reasonable prices.very nice people.
Blane Mays
Blane Mays
14:30 06 Dec 18
Great price and selection. Dustin Carlsen is professional and very informative. Great place for all your flooring needs.
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