Wood Look Vinyl Flooring

About Wood Look Vinyl Flooring

Wood vinyl flooring gives you the best of both worlds: the beautiful warmth and appeal of hardwood coupled with the durability and water resistance of manmade vinyl. For this reason and so many more, it's no wonder wood vinyl flooring is among the most popular flooring options in North America today.

What Is Wood Look Vinyl Flooring?

With so many flooring solutions out there today, it’s easy to get confused. Luckily, it's right in the name–vinyl flooring that looks like real wood. It consists of four specific layers: a thick backing layer that's rigid and resilient, a design layer with a high-resolution digital image, a protective wear layer, and a scratch-resistant aluminum oxide topcoat to protect against your furry four-legged friends. These layers combined deliver a strong, water-resistant floor that mimics the natural beauty of solid hardwood. 

Appearance

Thanks to the realistic HD technology available today, wood look vinyl flooring features the same level of detail you'll find in genuine hardwood. Mineral streaks, knots, and grain patterns vary by species, and those nuances also show up in the design layer of vinyl wood planks. Whether you like the clean look of creamy straight-lined maple, the rustic feel of a golden-hued knotty pine, or something else entirely, vinyl wood flooring makes that possible. 

Durability and Maintenance

Wood vinyl flooring is hard to beat if durability, cost, and style are at the top of your priority list. Though not as long-lasting as real hardwood, vinyl flooring can easily withstand your active household, whether it's a menagerie of pets or a team of children. The rigid backing layer gives the flooring strength while the top two layers protect from scratches and dents. 

Another added bonus: maintaining wood vinyl flooring requires minimum effort. Routinely clean with a broom or vacuum to remove dust and dirt, mop occasionally for a deeper clean, and you're done! 

While your little one spilling her juice box or the puppy having an accident won't ruin vinyl wood flooring because of its water resistance, cleaning them up quickly will help ensure your flooring lasts as long as possible. 

Lifespan

Now that you've decided on vinyl wood flooring planks for your busy home, how long will they last? The good news is you've got years of use ahead of you, but the exact longevity depends on a few factors. 

These include: 

• How the vinyl is installed and the quality of materials used
• How well you care for and maintain the vinyl
• The amount of traffic and wear the floors receive
• Whether you adhere to the manufacturer instructions

A solid warranty can also help you get the most from your flooring investment. Carpet One Floor & Home offers warranty protection that gives you peace of mind for the years ahead. 

Installation

When it comes to vinyl wood flooring, the installation process may be straightforward but you'll benefit from a professional installer. Our experts will make sure every step is completed properly and efficiently, leaving you with a high-quality floor and zero headache. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vinyl Wood Flooring

Vinyl wood flooring planks can add a lot of value to your busy home and offer many benefits.

• Worry less about little ones scratching the floors or accidental spills damaging the vinyl. 
• Nearly every hardwood species is available as vinyl wood flooring, making it easy to create the interior design of your dreams and continue it throughout any room you want. 
• Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance to keep it in good shape for years to come.  

There are a few disadvantages to vinyl wood flooring. 

• Wood vinyl flooring isn't immune to damage, especially from sharp or long-standing heavy objects.
• Vinyl tiles or planks that are glued down can be especially difficult to remove when it's time to replace your flooring.
• Interlocking vinyl wood planks aren't easy to repair.

Wood Vinyl Flooring vs. Hardwood

Because wood look vinyl flooring has a printed photo layer, its look mirrors genuine hardwood. But that's basically where the similarities end. While hardwood floors can withstand generations of wear and can sometimes even be sanded and refinished, 

With that in mind, you can get a lot of benefit from vinyl flooring that looks like wood. Not only is vinyl an economical alternative to hardwood, but it’s made to be water-resistant and highly tolerant of changing temperatures. Waterproof options give you the opportunity to continue the wood look into your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and mudroom. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are vinyl wood planks a good choice for flooring?

Yes! Vinyl wood planks make a great flooring choice, especially if you're looking for a durable, affordable surface that can handle the constant traipsing of shoes indoors while maintaining the elevated beauty of hardwood. 

Is wood look vinyl flooring easy to maintain?

Yes, in fact, wood look vinyl flooring takes little effort to keep clean. Simply sweep or vacuum your floors to keep dirt and dust at bay. An occasional mopping gives you a deeper clean for that pristine shine. Accidental spills won't ruin these water resistant floors, but you're better off cleaning them up quickly to prevent any damage to your subfloors. 

Does luxury vinyl look like real wood?

Yes, luxury vinyl wood flooring looks just like real wood because it features an actual photo layer. What you're seeing on wood vinyl flooring is an image of real wood over a vinyl composite core layer. A protective wear layer and an aluminum oxide topcoat cover the wood look design layer to protect your hardwood look from potential scuffs and scratches.