How to Choose the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring for Your Home

Vinyl plank flooring has become one of the most popular choices for homeowners because it combines style, durability, and affordability. It offers the realistic appearance of hardwood flooring, with added benefits, like being waterproof, scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain. Available in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes, this type of vinyl flooring can be matched to almost any home design.

This guide will explain how luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring compares to vinyl tile, break down wear layer durability, outline benefits compared to other materials, and discuss some of the top brands on the market. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what makes the best vinyl plank flooring for your home.

What’s the Difference Between Vinyl Tile and Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring replicates the look of hardwood using long boards that give rooms a natural and continuous flow. The planks often feature wood grain patterns, beveled edges, and realistic textures that make them nearly indistinguishable from real wood once installed. Because planks are laid lengthwise, they can make a room appear larger and more open.

Vinyl tile, on the other hand, is made to mimic the look of stone or ceramic tile. It comes in square or rectangular pieces, offering a more traditional tiled appearance. Vinyl tile works especially well in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas where a stone-plastic composite core or similar rigid construction helps create stability and durability.

Both vinyl plank and vinyl tile share the benefits of being waterproof, easy to clean, and softer underfoot compared to natural materials. The choice comes down to style preference: homeowners who want the warmth and flow of wood usually lean toward vinyl plank, while those looking for stone visuals or a ceramic look often choose vinyl tile.

Benefits of Vinyl Plank Flooring Compared to Other Materials

Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most versatile choices available today, offering homeowners a blend of style, practicality, and long-term value. It provides many of the same benefits found in hardwood, laminate, and tile while adding features that make it easier to live with day to day.

• Realistic wood look: Vinyl plank captures the warmth and beauty of natural hardwood while eliminating the need for sanding, refinishing, or ongoing upkeep. 
• Waterproof construction: Unlike laminate or hardwood, vinyl plank resists spills and moisture without swelling or warping. This makes it safe to use in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and other moisture-prone areas, especially where occasional spills are common.
• Scratch and stain resistance: Vinyl plank is built to withstand pets, children, and everyday wear. Its durable surface offers dent resistance that helps protect against scuffs, scratches, and stains in high-traffic areas.
• Comfort underfoot: Vinyl plank provides a softer, warmer surface than ceramic or stone tile. This added comfort makes it a great choice for spaces where people stand or walk often, particularly in commercial areas where comfort matters as much as appearance.
• Easy installation: Click-lock systems and floating floor designs mean it can often be installed without glue or nails. making it quicker to install than hardwood or tile.
• Low maintenance: Vinyl plank is a low-maintenance flooring material. All it requires is routine sweeping, occasional mopping, and no need for specialized cleaning products or sealing.
• Wide design variety: Vinyl plank comes in a broad range of colors, textures, and finishes, making it easy to match with any design style from rustic to modern.
• Durability: Like tile, vinyl plank is built to last for years when properly maintained. Its layered construction helps it stand up to everyday use without losing its appearance, delivering superior durability in busy homes.
• Affordability: Vinyl plank offers cost savings similar to laminate flooring but with superior water resistance. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly flooring choices available and an attractive option for families who want quality without overspending.
• Consistency across rooms: Because it performs well in any environment, vinyl plank can be installed throughout the entire home. It creates a cohesive look that hardwood or laminate cannot always achieve.

Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands to Know

When it comes to finding the best vinyl plank flooring, choosing the right brand makes a big difference. Each company brings its own strengths in style, durability, and performance. From innovative waterproof technology to fast local availability, these trusted names offer homeowners a wide range of options to fit different needs and preferences.

COREtec

COREtec is recognized as a leader in luxury vinyl flooring, offering products that are 100% waterproof as well as kid- and pet-friendly. Known for their thick wear layers, realistic wood visuals, and easy installation, COREtec floors are designed for long-term durability with minimal maintenance.

Engineered Floors

Engineered Floors brings decades of flooring expertise to its resilient products. While the company produces a wide range of flooring types, its vinyl plank offerings are valued for reliable construction and competitive pricing, making them a solid choice for homeowners seeking quality and accessibility.

Evoke

Evoke focuses on blending modern design with everyday durability. Their vinyl collections are available in a wide range of style options, with choices suited to both residential and commercial areas. Known for combining design flexibility with rugged performance, Evoke flooring provides homeowners with looks that keep up with today’s trends.

Flooring2

Flooring2 is a Seattle-based distributor launched in 2014 that emphasizes fast availability with its “In Stock and Available Now” model. Originally focused on carpet, the company has expanded into luxury vinyl and laminate, building on more than 78 years of flooring experience. With locally stocked products across six locations, Flooring2 delivers reliable performance backed by accessible service and value.

Mohawk

Mohawk is the world’s largest flooring manufacturer and a trusted name in vinyl plank flooring. Their products stand out for rich textures, long plank lengths, and wide formats that capture the look of real hardwood. Known for premium features and realistic design, Mohawk offers homeowners a dependable blend of beauty and performance.

Provenza

Provenza combines craftsmanship with unique visual appeal. Their luxury vinyl planks feature painted-edge bevels, authentic textures, and designer-inspired patterns. Built on decades of flooring expertise, Provenza products are both durable and stylish, often backed by comprehensive warranties that ensure long-term confidence in a new floor.

Features to Consider When Searching for the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring comes with a variety of features that influence how it looks, feels, and performs in your home. These features can be grouped into four main categories: 

• Finish options 
• Plank structure and style
• Texture and realism
• Performance features 

Finish Options

Finishes determine how vinyl plank flooring looks when light hits it and how well the surface holds up to everyday use. The right finish can enhance style, reduce upkeep, and protect against wear. Choosing between matte, gloss, or textured treatments is a key advantage of vinyl flooring compared to other surfaces.

• Low gloss finish provides a subtle sheen that minimizes glare and makes dust, dirt, and small scratches less noticeable.
• Matte finish creates a natural, understated appearance that reduces reflections while hiding smudges and fingerprints.
• High gloss finish delivers a polished, reflective look that adds elegance but requires more frequent cleaning to maintain its shine.
• Distressed or weathered finish adds visual depth with worn or aged effects, creating the look of reclaimed or rustic wood. These finishes often appeal to budget-conscious homeowners who want a classic look without the upkeep of natural hardwood.
• Protective topcoats such as urethane or ceramic bead layers improve scratch, stain, and scuff resistance while keeping the surface looking newer for longer. These coatings are often marketed as premium features that extend the life of the floor.

Plank Structure & Style

The size, shape, and layout of vinyl planks determine how a floor will look and feel in a room. Structural features influence whether a space feels more open, modern, or traditional, while design details can add depth and character. Homeowners often compare these options to the timeless look of classic wood when deciding on a new floor.

• Long boards create a continuous, seamless flow that makes rooms appear larger and more open.
• Wide planks emphasize natural grain details and deliver a modern, upscale look that works especially well in open floor plans.
• Multi-width boards combine planks of different sizes in the same floor, creating a handcrafted and visually interesting design.
• Herringbone pattern arranges planks in a zigzag layout, offering a timeless and elegant style often seen in high-end homes.
• Chevron pattern uses angled plank ends to form a continuous “V” design, adding a sharp, contemporary twist to classic layouts.
• Painted bevel effect highlights the edges of each plank with subtle color or shading, adding depth and definition to the overall floor.
• Square edge vs. beveled edge provides two different styles: square edges create a seamless surface, while beveled edges emphasize each plank. Many homeowners also compare installation costs per square foot when weighing which option is right for their space.
• Mixed-length planks vary the board sizes to create a more natural and authentic hardwood appearance.

Texture & Realism

Texture focuses on how vinyl plank flooring feels underfoot and how closely it replicates the natural variations of wood and stone. Advances in technology now allow planks to achieve remarkable levels of authenticity, making them an attractive option for homeowners who want the character of real hardwood or stone looks without the cost or upkeep.

• Embossed texture adds raised grain patterns to the surface, giving the planks a wood-like feel.
• Registered embossed texture aligns the embossed grain exactly with the printed design layer for maximum realism.
• Wire-brushed effect creates fine linear marks that replicate the look of lightly weathered wood.
• Hand-scraped effect mimics the uneven texture of aged hardwood, giving a rustic, handcrafted character.
• Smooth texture delivers a sleek, polished surface that suits modern and minimalist interiors.
• High-definition printing enhances color depth and pattern detail, making the visuals of vinyl plank flooring nearly indistinguishable from real wood.
• EIR (embossed-in-register) with deep relief goes beyond standard embossing, creating deeper ridges and valleys for the most lifelike wood texture.

Performance Features

Beyond looks and feel, performance features determine how well vinyl plank flooring will stand up to daily use. These qualities influence durability, comfort, and long-term value, making them essential to consider when choosing the best option for your home. Many products are built with either wood-plastic composite or stone-plastic composite cores, both designed for stability and strength.

• Waterproof construction protects against spills, humidity, and moisture, making vinyl plank suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. Many premium products feature a waterproof core to prevent swelling or warping.
• Scratch and stain resistance keeps floors looking new longer, especially in homes with pets, kids, or heavy traffic. This feature provides enhanced durability that homeowners can rely on.
• Sound-dampening underlayment reduces noise between floors and creates a softer, quieter surface underfoot.
• Attached pad backing provides built-in underlayment for added comfort, sound absorption, and easier installation.
• Easy-click installation systems allow planks to lock together without glue or nails, speeding up installation and making replacements simpler. These systems also give homeowners flexible installation options.
• Stability layers in rigid core vinyl prevent planks from shifting or expanding, ensuring a smooth and even surface over time. Most planks are designed with multiple layers that work together to provide strength and enhanced stability.
• UV-resistant coatings protect against fading in rooms with significant sunlight exposure, helping floors maintain their color.
• Slip resistance enhances traction in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways, thereby reducing the risk of slips in high-moisture areas.
• Low VOC emissions contribute to healthier indoor air quality, making vinyl plank a safer choice for families.

Understanding Wear Layers in Vinyl Plank Flooring

The wear layer is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing vinyl plank flooring. It is the clear, protective coating on top of the plank that guards against scratches, dents, and stains. A thicker wear layer generally means greater durability and a longer lifespan for your floor. The best products are designed to combine durability with style, ensuring a balance between strength and appearance.

Wear layer thickness is measured in “mils,” which equals one-thousandth of an inch. A higher number means a thicker protective surface, which usually translates into better performance and longevity.

• A 12 mil wear layer is suitable for light to medium foot traffic. It works well in bedrooms, guest rooms, or areas of the home where activity is lower. It also holds up well against heavy furniture when used in these lower-traffic rooms.
• The 20 mil wear layer option is one of the most common choices for busy households. It offers excellent protection against scratches and scuffs, making it ideal for living rooms, kitchens, and hallways where installation costs need to be weighed against long-term performance.
• At 22 mil, the wear layer is designed for maximum durability. This thickness is often recommended for homes with pets, children, or heavy daily use, and it can also perform well in commercial areas with demanding traffic.

Choosing the right wear layer depends on how much activity your floors will see. For most homeowners, a 20 mil wear layer offers the best balance of cost and performance, making it one of the most practical forms of LVP flooring.

How to Choose the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring for Your Home

Every home has different needs, and the best vinyl plank flooring for you depends on lifestyle, room use, and design preferences. The right features, wear layer thickness, and style can make all the difference in performance and comfort. Use this guide to match common scenarios with the flooring options that work best.

Find the Right Vinyl Plank Flooring With Expert Guidance

With so many features, wear layers, textures, and brands to choose from, selecting the best vinyl flooring can feel overwhelming. Flooring professionals can help you sort through the options, explaining which features make the most sense for your lifestyle, which wear layer will hold up to your home’s traffic, and which designs will bring out the character of your space. They can also provide guidance on how to clean vinyl plank flooring properly so your investment lasts for years. Working with an expert ensures you not only get flooring that looks beautiful but also one that performs for years to come.

If you’re in the greater Seattle area, Builders Interiors is here to help. Visit our showroom, browse our wide selection online, or schedule a free consultation to find the perfect vinyl plank flooring for your home.