Learn Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Author: Franke

Aug. 18, 2025

Learn Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Floor City Luxury Wood (LVP)

Goto trioflor to know more.

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Before you consider the pros and cons of vinyl plank flooring, it’s important to understand the details of vinyl plank flooring and why it’s a popular flooring choice.

Luxury vinyl plank flooring, also known as LVP flooring, is a close relative of luxury vinyl tile; the main difference is that LVP flooring is shaped like planks, and LVT flooring is shaped like tiles. Pretty straightforward! 

Vinyl flooring is known for being stylish, easy to install, and a cost-effective solution for a variety of projects in both home and office or commercial settings.

Vinyl plank flooring is made from PVC plastic and typically comes in long planks. Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners because it closely resembles real wood floors but is a more durable, affordable option. 

A standard vinyl plank floor includes three layers: a core or base layer, the layer with the pattern or design, and the wear layer, which is the transparent surface layer that we come in contact with. Each plays its own role in offering a durable, long-lasting flooring solution. 

If you’re considering vinyl plank flooring for your home or office instead of traditional hardwood flooring, you may already know some of the benefits that come along with luxury vinyl flooring. Let’s recap the benefits here.

Pros of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Looking to install vinyl plank flooring in your home or office? We get it! Vinyl planks are popular because of the following benefits and perk

Durability

Vinyl plank flooring holds up against spills, messes, pets, moisture, and liquid. It’s not entirely waterproof, but it is water-resistant and can stand up to traffic in the main areas of the home. Vinyl flooring is often used in mudrooms, laundry rooms, and basements because of its water resistance and easy maintenance.

Affordability

Vinyl plank flooring allows homeowners to get the authentic look of wood for a fraction of what real hardwood costs. For those who are looking to cut costs on flooring but want to achieve the same premium look, vinyl plank flooring is a solid choice.

Resilience

Vinyl plank flooring is much more resilient than laminate and other flooring options, like carpet tile or peel-and-stick vinyl. Vinyl plank flooring can withstand the test of time (if properly cared for) and can remain the beautiful foundation of your home for up to 20 years.

Easy to Install

Installing vinyl plank flooring includes glueless floating or full-spread glue down and is a fairly simple process. If you are on the handier side, you can likely complete an installation project on your own or with an extra set of hands in a few days, depending on the scope.

Easy Repairs

Repairing a plank or section of the floor is much easier with vinyl planks than traditional wood, and it will not require refinishing the entire floor. We do recommend ordering 5-10% over for waste and future repairs. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Cons of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Unfortunately, there are a few disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring in any setting. Here are the most common flaws of luxury vinyl planks that many homeowners encounter during installation and in the time after the flooring project is complete.

Comfort

It may look like real wood, stone, or tile, but vinyl planks certainly fall short on comfort to some people. When walking barefoot, many people notice that vinyl planks do not feel like authentic hardwood, marble, or stone. If that’s the feel you want in your home, you may want to look at other options.

Less Luxurious

There’s something about the raw, organic look of real hardwood that can’t be duplicated. Vinyl planks in your home or office will brighten up the space, but you won’t achieve the same luxurious, natural look as authentic hardwood. 

While vinyl planks can closely resemble various types of wood, from oak to cherry, and many tones in between, it won’t be quite as cozy and inviting as the real thing.

Refinishing

Vinyl wood plank floors are not able to be refinished, which isn’t always an ideal choice for homeowners who may want to change the look or feel of their floors in the future. If you think you may want to switch things up in the future, vinyl planks may not be the best flooring choice for you.

Difficult to Remove

If glued down, LVP flooring can be very hard to remove if you ever want to replace it. There are easy locking / interlocking options that make the process easier, but if you are installing vinyl plank in a commercial space, we recommend selecting glue down vinyl plank flooring for this exact reason.

Wear and Tear

Some vinyl plank floors have a very thin wear layer and can be scratched, scuffed, dented, or scraped. From sharp objects damaging the vinyl planks or dragging heavy furniture across the floors, wear and tear adds up over time and can become significantly noticeable with luxury vinyl. 

For more information, please visit Wholesale Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring.

If you want to avoid noticeable wear and tear on your floors, we recommend selecting luxury vinyl flooring with a 20 mil wear layer or higher. Light commercial starts at 12 mil and goes up to 30 mil for commercial grade/ industrial strength luxury vinyl.

Lack of UV Protection

Some top coatings of LVT flooring are not UV protected, which can cause the design or pattern to fade or have discoloration over time. This is particularly accurate if your vinyl floors will be regularly exposed to bright sunlight. Consult with the manufacturer to see if the material is resistant to ultraviolet rays.

Vinyl Flooring at Floor City

Whether or not you’ve ruled out vinyl plank flooring for your home or office project, know that Floor City is here to provide you with the high-quality materials to make any flooring project stand out. 

Pros and Cons of Luxury Vinyl Flooring in Basements

When you want to renew your basement floors, there are many options to choose from. Many homeowners choose to install luxury vinyl plank or tile in their basements. Luxury vinyl is an excellent choice for basements because it's waterproof and replicates the look of tile, stone or wood at a more affordable price.

Installing vinyl plank or tile flooring in your basement will transform the space and can elevate your design. But, before you decide if this flooring is right for you, it's best to consider the pros and cons of vinyl flooring in basements.

The Pros of Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile in Basements

There are many pros to luxury vinyl flooring in basements. Here are the top five.

1. Durable

Luxury vinyl is a durable flooring material. When you install vinyl plank flooring on concrete, it can last for many years. This is because of its layers:

  1. Base layer: The base layer supports the other layers. Some base layers have backing so professionals can install the flooring on the subfloor.
  2. Core layer: Luxury vinyl's core consists of a stone polymer composite (SPC) or a wood polymer composite (WPC). Wood polymer composites offer better insulation and sound absorption capabilities. The SPC core is thinner than WPC, but it's more durable. 
  3. Cushion layer: The cushion layer makes the floor softer underfoot.
  4. Decorative layer: This layer gives luxury vinyl its appearance. It features realistic 3d imaging and various colors and patterns.
  5. Wear layer: Luxury vinyl features a wear layer that makes it resistant to scratches, dents and scuffs. The thicker the wear layer, the more resistant the flooring is.
  6. Shine layer: A clear top coat makes luxury vinyl shine.

Since it has so many layers, luxury vinyl is thicker and more durable than other floor types. Plus, if a plank becomes damaged, you can often replace the damaged plank without replacing an entire flooring section.

2. Water Resistant

One of the most popular water-resistant flooring options is luxury vinyl. All luxury vinyl is water-resistant because of its plastic core, but some brands are waterproof. Waterproof luxury vinyl has a waterproof core instead of wood plastic. However, they are also known as WPC. If luxury vinyl has a waterproof core, it prevents liquid from reaching the backing and causing the floor to swell, warp or chip.

3. Easy to Install

Vinyl flooring is easy to install for those who want to do it themselves. You can install vinyl with a click-and-lock or glue-down installation method. To install luxury vinyl flooring, you must: 

  1. Plan the layout: Most homeowners create a pleasing floor layout by placing the first row of planks parallel to the most prominent wall. Then, they lay the rest of the planks across the room.
  2. Remove molding: To make installation easier, remove any molding or trim that touches the floor using a prybar and pliers. It can also help to remove doors from their hinges. However, if you don't want to remove the molding, you can cut the planks or tiles so they can fit around it.
  3. Prepare the floor: When laying vinyl over concrete, you must fill in cracks or pivots with a concrete patcher. If your basement floor is plywood, you must fill any depressions with a floor-leveling compound.
  4. Cut the planks: You'll need to cut the planks to size. You should be able to do this with a utility knife.
  5. Install the flooring: Either glue down the planks or click them together.
  6. Reinstall the molding: Reattach the molding and trim once you install the floor.

4. Versatile

The countless color, design and style options for luxury vinyl mean you can easily find what fits your needs. Most styles mimic the appearance of stone or wood. However, some options look like ceramic and marble. Manufacturers use various embossing techniques to create luxury vinyl's look, so they can have many natural features like knots and grain patterns.

5. Easy to Maintain

Luxury vinyl flooring is easy to maintain. It requires routine sweeping and mopping to prevent scratches. Unless your flooring has a waterproof core, ensure you only use a small amount of liquid when mopping. In addition, you want to avoid steam mops. Here are some of the tools you can use to clean your luxury vinyl planks or tiles:

  • Broom and dustpan: You can use a broom and dustpan to remove loose debris. A broom with an angled head will allow you to clean corners.
  • Mop: Opt for a microfiber mop because it can absorb more water.
  • Vacuum: A hardwood floor vacuum can also clean and remove debris.
  • Soft-bristle brush: Soft-bristle brushes can scrub stains without scratching your floor.

The Cons of Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile in Basements

Despite its benefits, there are still reasons homeowners might choose another flooring type for their basements. Here are the top three cons of luxury vinyl flooring.

1. Cold

While luxury vinyl can be warmer than other flooring options, it's still cold to the touch during winter. Luxury vinyl only has insulating properties if you use a thick underlayment. Installing an underlayment makes the floor softer, reduces noise and increases insulation. Without an underlayment, vinyl will reflect the room's temperature. Since basements are usually colder than the rest of the house, the flooring will be cold.

2. Susceptible to Damage

Even though luxury vinyl is durable, it isn't impervious to damage. You can't refinish them to remove scratches or other damage. If a sharp or heavy object lands on it and penetrates the wear layer, it can permanently dent luxury vinyl. 

Additionally, heavy furniture that rests on the flooring for long periods can also dent it. The good news is if the floors dent, you can replace them.

3. Unsuitable for Uneven Surfaces

Luxury vinyl flooring can be unsuitable for uneven surfaces. The flooring must be level for the planks or tiles to click and lock together. If it isn't, the plank or tile heights will vary, and the flooring won't connect. Aside from installation becoming challenging, having an uneven flooring base can be noticeable, ruining the floor's look. This is most common in areas where one room transitions to another.

Browse Luxury Vinyl Flooring Options at American Carpet Wholesalers

When deciding if luxury vinyl flooring is good for basements, it's crucial to consider its pros and cons. Luxury vinyl is an excellent choice for many homeowners because it's:

  • Affordable
  • Beautiful
  • Water-resistant
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to maintain
  • Durable

On the other hand, some homeowners might choose another flooring because luxury vinyl can be cold, susceptible to damage and unsuitable for uneven surfaces. To determine if luxury vinyl suits you, decide which factors are most crucial and consider your options.

For more 100% waterproof hardwood flooringinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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