LVP Flooring FAQ

LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank. It is a multi-layer vinyl floor made to look like wood planks. Most LVP has a core layer, a printed design layer and a clear wear layer on top, and it comes as click-together floating planks or as glue-down planks.

Most LVP has a waterproof or highly water-resistant core, so spills and humidity will not swell the planks the way they can with laminate or hardwood. The weak points are the seams and edges. Standing water can still get under a floating floor, so wipe up leaks quickly and have wet areas finished carefully.

Laminate has a fibreboard core that can swell if it gets wet. LVP has a vinyl or stone-plastic core that handles moisture much better, and it is usually a little softer and quieter underfoot. Both come in click-lock planks, and both depend on a flat, clean subfloor.

A single room or a typical main floor is often done in one to three days. Removing old flooring, levelling the subfloor, stairs and moving furniture all add time. Your installer should give you a schedule once they have measured.

Yes. LVP is a popular basement floor because it tolerates moisture better than hardwood or laminate. The concrete slab should be flat and tested for moisture first, and any active water problem should be fixed before flooring goes down.

Usually, yes. Carpet and underlay always come out. LVP can sometimes go over smooth, tightly bonded hard floors such as sound ceramic tile or sheet vinyl, but only if the installer confirms it is flat and the manufacturer allows it. Never install over damp or damaged flooring.

A quote usually combines the planks (priced per square foot), labour, subfloor preparation, removal and disposal of old flooring, transitions and trim, and any stairs. Ask for an itemized quote so you can compare like with like.

Floating LVP expands and contracts a little with temperature. Normal indoor temperatures are fine. Problems tend to come from strong direct sun through large windows, running the house outside the manufacturer range, or an installation with no expansion gap at the walls. Check the temperature range in the manufacturer instructions.

Yes. Stairs are done tread by tread with matching nosing profiles, and they take more time than the same area of flat floor. Glue-down installation is common on stairs because the planks have to stay put under foot traffic.

Many LVP products are approved for radiant heat, but each manufacturer sets a maximum surface temperature and specific rules for bringing the heat up and down. Check that your exact product is approved before you buy it.

It is a common choice because it is easy to clean and resists scuffs and spills. A thicker wear layer helps with scratches. Sharp claws and dragged furniture can still mark any floor, so use felt pads under furniture and keep pet nails trimmed.

Manufacturer warranties vary widely and usually depend on correct installation and care. Workmanship is a separate matter: ask whoever installs your floor what their workmanship warranty covers, and get it in writing.

Replacing floor finishes in a house generally does not need a building permit, but check with the City of Calgary if you are also changing structure or plumbing. Condo owners almost always need written approval from the condo board, often with a minimum sound rating for the underlay.

Our team handles the installation. We tell you who is coming and confirm the schedule before work starts.

Plan to clear the room before the crew arrives, unless you agree otherwise in the quote. Heavy items such as pianos and appliances usually need separate arrangements.