Luxury Vinyl Flooring Shopping Guide

When you’re shopping on a budget, every dollar needs to work harder. Ask these five questions to ensure you’re choosing a new floor that looks brilliant, prevents overspending, and stays beautiful for years to come.

1. What is the wear layer, and why does it matter for my budget? The luxury vinyl wear layer is the clear top coat measure in mils that protects your floor from scratches, scuffs, and stains. Newton floors are designed with heavy-duty wear layers that are often thicker for the price point than competitors, giving you maximum protection against kids and pets without the lofty price tag.
   
   Beyond thickness, the best luxury vinyl wear layers are made from the right materials. Higher quality luxury vinyl floors will have polyurethane and aluminum oxide wear layers. Cheaper luxury vinyl products will use less expensive wear layer materials that commonly wear out in a fraction of the time, even though the thickness is similar. Inexpensive wear layers are also commonly made of materials that allow the floors to be easily stained.
2. Should I choose Rigid Core or Flexible Luxury Vinyl? Rigid Core, specifically Stone Plastic Composite/SPC flooring, offers maximum dent resistance and stability, making it perfect for busy, high-traffic homes. Flexible LVT is softer underfoot and incredibly budget-friendly. For families looking for the best value, we recommend identifying your room's traffic and subfloor conditions to pick the right option for your budget.
3. Is the luxury vinyl flooring 100% waterproof? A true luxury vinyl floor should give you total peace of mind! Newton luxury vinyl offers 100% waterproof surface protection, making it the ideal choice for spill-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms. You get the look of expensive hardwood or natural stone without the worry of water damage or warping.
4. Does luxury vinyl flooring come with an attached underlayment? Don't skimp on underfoot comfort! Many Newton luxury vinyl options come with a premium attached underlayment. Superior built-in padding saves you money on installation and extra materials while providing advanced sound absorption, a warmer feel, and extra cushioning.
5. IWhat kind of texture does the luxury vinyl have? Standard luxury vinyl flooring often features a light overall texture or a subtle wood grain texture that protects against slips. For active families and busy households, luxury vinyl texture delivers reliable, pet-friendly durability, a clean, stylish look, excellent performance, and outstanding value without the premium price tag.

For an active home with plenty of adventures, look for luxury vinyl planks with a high mil wear layer and a matte finish. Explore these luxury vinyl styles as they are masters of disguise, hiding footprints, minor scratches, and stray pet hair.

To handle all the "oops" moments, dropped juice boxes, and muddy paws, prioritize 100% waterproof rigid core flooring options. In addition to resisting permanent stains and being an easy surface to wipe up, your beautiful soft-looking foundation will remain incredibly easy to clean during floor-time play.

Choosing the perfect wood shade or stone pattern can be tough, but the Newton Room Visualizer takes the guesswork out of the process.

• Simply upload a photo of your actual room to see exactly how a specific luxury vinyl floor looks under your home’s unique lighting. See your floor before you buy.