What Is Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Vinyl 1 plank is a variation of traditional vinyl flooring. These floors have been around since the 1930s in several iterations. They were once most common in tiles that came in a range of solid colors, followed by sheet vinyl in both solid colors and printed patterns. Eventually, the same material was formed into planks that could be printed to resemble wood floors.
Each plank is made up of several layers of vinyl, with printing on a layer just below the long-wearing topcoat. This material is thinner than luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and does not have the same surface texture. While LVP can have a printed or inlaid surface that closely resembles real wood, standard vinyl plank flooring is always printed. This can make it less expensive and smoother to the touch but a little less realistic in appearance. Standard vinyl planks are also generally thinner than LVP, which has a standard thickness of 20 mil. Standard vinyl planks are often around 10 to 12 mil, although they can sometimes be thicker for some click-lock styles.
Like all vinyl, it is water-resistant and can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and basements without worrying about warping or staining.
Vinyl plank flooring typically costs between $2 and $7 a sq.ft. for the material. Installation ranges from $1 to $4 a sq.ft., making the total cost range $3 to $11 a sq.ft. for most fully installed vinyl plank floors. The installation and material costs vary, depending on the material and installation style. Peel-and-stick is usually the least expensive, followed by click-lock or floating vinyl planks. Glue-down planks are often the most expensive to install. Below are the average costs to install vinyl plank flooring in a range of spaces.
| Size | Average Costs (Installed) |
|---|
| 100 sq.ft. | $300 - $1,100 |
| 200 sq.ft. | $600 - $2,200 |
| 300 sq.ft. | $900 - $3,300 |
| 500 sq.ft. | $1,500 - $5,500 |
| 1,000 sq.ft. | $3,000 - $11,000 |
Vinyl Plank Flooring Prices by Brand
Many companies make vinyl plank flooring. Some specialize in vinyl floors of all types, while others make a wider range of floor products, including vinyl. Each brand has its own costs, colors, patterns, and other attributes to consider.
Below are some of the most popular brands for vinyl plank flooring and the average costs for their materials fully installed.
| Brand | Average Costs per Sq.Ft. (Installed) |
|---|
| Mohawk | $2 - $8 |
| Flooret | $2 - $8 |
| NuCore | $3 - $7 |
| Shaw | $3 - $14 |
| COREtec | $4 - $16 |
Mohawk Vinyl Plank Flooring Price
The cost of Mohawk vinyl plank flooring is between $2 and $8 a sq.ft. installed. Mohawk makes a very wide range of mid-grade vinyl flooring, including some vinyl planks. Their planks can be click-lock, peel-and-stick, or glue-down. The most common thickness is around 12 mil, but their floors are considered fairly durable and very low maintenance. They have a range of warranties on their floors, depending on the line.
Flooret Vinyl Plank Flooring Price
The cost of Flooret vinyl plank flooring is $2 to $8 a sq.ft. installed. Flooret is a unique manufacturer among other vinyl plank floors. Their vinyl is made of 100% recycled material. They also have exceptional warranties on their material, which is extremely durable and long-lasting. Flooret has some of the longest warranties in the industry. Their floors are eligible for LEED credits, so when looking for a sustainable floor that is also low-cost and durable, Flooret is a good choice.
NuCore Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost
The cost of NuCore vinyl plank flooring averages $3 to $7 a sq.ft. installed. NuCore has one of the widest selections of vinyl floor products on the market. They offer more than 100 styles and colors to choose from, making it easy for you to find the right fit for your home. They also strive to produce a quality material at a lower cost. This means they often have somewhat thicker and more durable flooring offerings at lower costs than competitors with the same quality floors.
Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring Price
The cost of Shaw vinyl plank flooring ranges from $3 to $14 a sq.ft. installed. Shaw is one of the biggest floor producers today. They make a very wide range of different vinyl products, including several types of vinyl planks. These include lines of both click-lock and glue-down options. Their material is usually a little thicker and better quality than most other companies, so their costs are higher. All of Shaw’s plank vinyl have a waterproof warranty that offers peace of mind for those installing their floors in a wet area.
COREtec Flooring Cost
The cost of COREtec flooring is $4 to $16 a sq.ft. installed. COREtec is considered one of the most premium brands of vinyl floors. Many of their floors use a cork backing. This makes their vinyl planks thicker and more comfortable underfoot. This means their material is more expensive, and installation is more costly. Most of their floors are installed in a floating style, but some can be glued down.
Labor Cost to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Labor costs to install vinyl plank flooring ranges from $1 to $4 a sq.ft. The lowest cost of installation is peel-and-stick, depending on the material thickness. Click-lock installations are slightly more time-consuming than peel-and-stick and are a more expensive material. Glue-down installations tend to be more expensive for labor because the material must be rolled after it is put down. This takes additional labor and time. However, the glue-down material is usually less expensive, so the cost of the labor and material tends to even out between click-lock and glue-down once the material is installed.
Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost
The cost of peel-and-stick vinyl plank flooring installed is $2 to $8 a sq.ft. The material is the easiest to install and the lowest cost in general. Costs start at around $1 a sq.ft. for the material, with installation costs starting at around $1 a sq.ft. This material is so easy to install that many homeowners choose it for DIY installation. It is not quite as long-lasting as a glue-down installation but can be used on more uneven floors than a floating installation. Peel-and-stick vinyl plank floors are less common than the other types, so you will have fewer options to choose from.
Vinyl Click-Lock Plank Flooring
The cost of click-lock plank flooring installed averages $3 to $11 a sq.ft. This is also known as a tongue-and-groove or floating floor. Floating vinyl planks do not adhere directly to the subfloor 2. Instead, they click together along their edges. This installation requires the subfloor to be perfectly smooth and flat, taking a little more time than a peel-and-stick floor installation. The planks are also usually thicker and more rigid to make the installation easier. This makes the installation and material costs higher than peel-and-stick.
Glue-Down Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost
The cost of glue-down vinyl plank flooring ranges from $3 to $11 a sq.ft. installed. This material is usually a little thinner and more flexible than click-lock. So while the installation is slightly harder and more expensive, the material is less costly. Glue-down vinyl floors are not easy to DIY. They require a heavy metal roller to go over the floors after installation. Once down, these floors are very hard to get back up.
Maintenance
Vinyl plank flooring is fairly low maintenance. It does not require any special cleaners or waxing. Some types may scratch, so do not drag furniture across them. The material is not affected by moisture or water, so it can be installed in damp areas. Sweep or vacuum it regularly to remove debris that may scratch it. Mop as needed to remove surface stains. Vinyl is non-porous and does not absorb moisture, so it is unlikely to permanently stain.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is a tough, durable material that can be used anywhere in the home. It can be installed in wet areas like basements and bathrooms without consequences. It also has a range of colors, styles, and installation methods to choose from, so it can be a good fit for many homes.
The material has some drawbacks, however. It is thinner than many other premium floors. Therefore, it may not always be very comfortable underfoot. It is also more prone to scratching than other premium vinyl floor types. Its thinness means that the substrate must be very smooth for the best installation. If you choose to use a glue-down installation, keep in mind that the adhesive grows stronger over time. This means the material is extremely difficult to remove once installed.
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs Laminate
Vinyl plank and laminate flooring are often installed as an alternative to hardwood floors. Both floors mimic the style and appearance of hardwood. Both materials are often installed in a floating floor installation, although you can either nail or glue down laminate and glue down vinyl. Vinyl is also available as a peel-and-stick option for DIY homeowners.
Of the two, laminate is more forgiving in terms of installation. While vinyl requires a very flat substrate, laminate can be more flexible. However, vinyl is the more durable of the two materials. It is less likely to scratch than laminate and can be installed in damp and wet areas without swelling or warping the way laminate might.
Vinyl planks are less expensive than laminate. Below is the cost to install both materials in an average 200 sq.ft. room.
| Type | Average Costs (Installed) |
|---|
| Vinyl Plank | $900 - $1,600 |
| Laminate | $1,500 - $3,500 |
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs Hardwood
Vinyl plank is often considered a lower-cost alternative to hardwood flooring. These planks are usually modeled on hardwood. They are given the same colors and grain patterns of different wood species.
Vinyl is less expensive than wood and can be used in wet areas, while hardwoods should not. However, true hardwood floor has a look and feel that cannot be perfectly duplicated by vinyl. In addition, hardwood can last for hundreds of years when treated properly. Vinyl only lasts for around 20 to 50 years when treated properly. Vinyl can be very difficult to remove when glued down. Hardwood floors can enhance the value of a home and make it easier to sell, while vinyl floors do not.
If you are on a budget, vinyl floors are less expensive and easier to install. This can make them a good choice for homeowners who want to boost the appearance of a room at a lower cost.
Below are the average costs for installing both materials in a 200 sq.ft. space.
| Type | Average Costs (Installed) |
|---|
| Vinyl Plank | $900 - $1,600 |
| Hardwood | $2,800 - $6,400 |
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Removing an Old Floor
While some vinyl types can be installed over an existing floor, you may need to remove the old floor first. This costs roughly $1 a sq.ft., depending on the material. Very difficult to remove floors may cost as much as $2 to $3 a sq.ft.
Underlayment
Vinyl plank floors do not require an underlayment 3 and should be installed without one. The only exception is a vapor barrier. When installing vinyl in a basement or damp area, a vapor barrier may be necessary to prevent mold growth.
Transition Strips
If you install vinyl flooring in a room that abuts a space with a different floor, consider installing a threshold or transition strip. These bridge the gap between the two floors and create a smooth transition. The cost is $5 to $30 per threshold, depending on the material.
Radiant Floor Heating
You can install radiant floor heating 4 under your vinyl plank floor. Radiant floor heating warms the people and objects in the room directly, making it a more efficient way of heating. The cost of radiant heating is $10 to $25 a sq.ft.
Vinyl Vapor Barrier
When installing vinyl flooring in a basement or other damp area, you may want to put down a vapor barrier 5 first. This helps prevent moisture from building up under the planks, which may prevent mold from growing. The cost of a vapor barrier is typically $100 to $150 per room.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Additional material. If the room you are installing your flooring in has many angles, nooks, or other jogs in the floor, you will need about 10% to 15% more material to complete the job.
- Vinyl on stairs. When installing vinyl on stairs, you may need to cut a lot of material to fit. This means needing trim to hide the cut edges, increasing the project cost.
- Pets. Vinyl flooring makes a great choice for use with pets. It is not impacted by daily use and is easy to clean and care for.
- Sustainability. Vinyl planks can be sustainable if you choose a brand that uses 100% recycled material. The planks themselves cannot be recycled after use, however.
- Warranties. Vinyl plank floors can have warranties from 5 to 20 years, depending on the brand.
- Lifespan. When properly installed, most vinyl floors last a minimum of 20 years. Some may last as long as 50 years.
- Mold. Vinyl is non-porous and does not grow mold. However, if you use it in a damp area, use a vapor barrier to prevent mold growth under it.
FAQs
- What is the difference between LVP and vinyl plank?
Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are a type of vinyl plank. They are thicker, more durable, and have a more realistic-looking inlaid pattern. Standard vinyl planks are thinner with a printed pattern, so they do not look as nice.
- Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?
If you use the material in a damp area without a vapor barrier, yes, mold can grow beneath it. Always use a vapor barrier in basements and other damp areas to help avoid this issue.
- How much does it cost to install 1,000 sq.ft. of vinyl plank flooring?
Depending on the vinyl type, this costs $3,000 to $11,000 for 1,000 sq.ft. of installed material.
- What is the average labor cost to install vinyl plank flooring?
Labor ranges from $1 to $4 a sq.ft., depending on the installation style and method.
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