Luxury vinyl flooring is quickly becoming the material of choice because it's warm, affordable, and stylish. And as technology improves, so do vinyl flooring materials. You can't tell the difference between vinyl and natural wood or stone.  Additionally, it tends to be less expensive since you don't need to buy adhesive, prepare the floor, or use underlayment if it's a plywood substrate.

Engineered vinyl plank (EVP) flooring has made vinyl an even more durable product. EVP isn't more durable than the traditional luxury vinyl plank, although it is more durable than linoleum or sheet vinyl. EVP flooring is like a hybrid between laminate and luxury vinyl - they both can be installed as a floating floor with a click-lock edge and mimic hardwood or tile. A rigid core means it is not very flexible. Not all EVP has a rigid core. The majority are rigid cores, but many still offer a WPC (Wood plastic composite) core. It is heavier and more challenging to work with than luxury vinyl. A circular saw or miter saw is typically necessary to cut boards. The pieces snap into place with no glue required. While the rigidity of EVP can help hide imperfections, your subfloor still needs to be within a specific deflection allowance. In addition, most EVPs come in particular lengths (36", 48" 56", etc.), whereas hardwoods are usually random lengths (1'-8' usually in a box).

EVP flooring is waterproof, making it safe from everyday spills, unlike most laminate flooring today that is "water-resistant" in the top layer only - its core will still take water and peak. It is suitable for below-grade installations but shouldn't be submerged. If not correctly installed, water can still get through the cracks and ruin your subfloor while your EVP flooring remains intact.

Let's take a closer look at the construction of EVP flooring:

EVP flooringWear Layer

The wear layer is a protective layer covering each EVP plank's top. This topcoat protects against scuffs and damage from everyday use. Durability is determined by the thickness of the wear layer. The wear layer can range in thickness - the thicker the wear layer, the better protection. We recommend 12-20mil for residential houses. The higher the number, the more durable the floor, whether it clicks together or glues down.

Decorative Layer

They construct the decorative layer from vinyl featuring a photographic image of actual wood or stone. They both resemble the real deal and are warm and comfortable underfoot. EVP mimicking hardwood can come in planks that are the exact sizes as traditional hardwood planks. Engineered vinyl planks can resemble any wood species and stain with realistic wood-grain textures and beveled edges. The various domestic and exotic wood species in multiple tones are practically infinite. It is even possible to obtain the look of distressed or smooth wood. If you are looking to take the tile route - vinyl mimicking natural stone can resemble tiles like slate, travertine, marble, quartz, or limestone. Some even have the look of tiles with actual grout.

Core Layer

The core layer is the central part of the engineered vinyl planks containing either Wood Polymer Composite (WPC) or Stone Polymer Composite (SPC). WPC is made of wood plastic composite. The core includes an added foaming agent to increase resilience and comfort, making it soft and quiet underfoot. They construct an SPC core from a limestone composite. The stone is stiffer, sturdier, and less resilient, offering increased dent resistance. SPC cores don't necessarily provide better scratch resistance; that's all in the wear layer. Both are durable, stable, and work well in commercial interior spaces.

Backing Layer

The base layer, or backing, separates the core from your subfloor. Usually, you'll find a thin layer of rubber or cork on the bottom of each board pre-attached. Both backings reduce echoing noise in your home. Cork is also an excellent backing that won't take on water or grow mold and mildew if water gets under the product. Rubber is thinner than cork and better at noise reduction. Cork costs less than rubber and doesn't have that rubber smell.

Visit Creative Carpet & Flooring to see the vast selection of wood and stone EVP flooring options! Our knowledgeable Flooring Consultants can help you find just the right engineered vinyl flooring for your home today.