Flooring Guides
What is LVT Flooring?
LVT flooring has become one of the most popular floor coverings in the UK — and once you understand what it is and what it can do, it's easy to see why. Here's everything you need to know.
LVT Flooring — The Basics
LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. Despite the name, it comes in plank form as well as tile form, and it's designed to replicate the look of natural materials — wood, stone, ceramic — at a fraction of the cost and with far greater practicality.
At its core, LVT is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product. Each plank is made up of several bonded layers that together give it its durability, comfort underfoot and realistic appearance. The technology has come a long way in the last decade — modern LVT is genuinely difficult to distinguish from real wood at a glance, and in many ways it outperforms the real thing.
It's fully waterproof, scratch resistant, warm underfoot and compatible with underfloor heating. For busy family homes, kitchens, hallways and bathrooms it's hard to beat.
How LVT Flooring is Made
Understanding how LVT is constructed helps explain why it performs so well. A typical LVT plank has four distinct layers, each serving a specific purpose.
Wear Layer
Top Layer
A clear, tough protective coating that resists scratches, scuffs and stains. Measured in millimetres — the thicker it is, the more durable the floor.
Design Layer
Visual Layer
A high-resolution photographic print that replicates the look of wood grain, stone or other natural materials with remarkable realism.
Core & Underlay
Base Layers
The rigid or flexible core gives the plank its stability and strength. Many LVT planks include an integrated underlay for added comfort and sound absorption.
The Benefits of LVT Flooring
There are plenty of flooring options on the market, so what makes LVT stand out? Here's an honest look at where it excels.
Fully waterproof — unlike real wood or laminate, LVT won't swell, warp or stain when it gets wet. This makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and hallways.
Scratch and dent resistant — the wear layer protects against everyday scuffs from pets, children, furniture and foot traffic far better than real wood.
Comfortable underfoot — LVT has a slight give to it that makes it noticeably more comfortable to stand on than ceramic tile or stone, especially over long periods.
Underfloor heating compatible — most LVT flooring works perfectly with both electric and water-fed underfloor heating systems, making it a practical choice for modern homes.
Easy to install — click-fit LVT is one of the most DIY-friendly floors available. No adhesive, no specialist tools, no fitter required in most cases.
Easy to maintain — a sweep and an occasional damp mop is all it needs. No polishing, sealing or specialist cleaning products required.
LVT vs Other Flooring Types
It helps to understand how LVT sits alongside the other popular flooring options available today.
LVT vs Laminate
Key difference
Laminate has a wood-based core which means it can swell when wet and isn't suitable for bathrooms or wet areas. LVT is fully waterproof throughout and handles moisture without issue.
LVT vs Real Wood
Key difference
Real wood looks beautiful but requires regular maintenance, is sensitive to moisture and scratches more easily. LVT gives a very similar look with far less upkeep and at a lower price point.
LVT vs Carpet
Key difference
Carpet is warm and quiet but harbours allergens and is difficult to keep clean in high traffic areas. LVT is hypoallergenic, easy to clean and looks better for longer in busy rooms.
Is LVT Flooring Right for You?
LVT suits most homes and most rooms. It's particularly well suited to households with children or pets, anyone who wants the look of wood or stone without the maintenance, and rooms where moisture is a concern.
The one area where LVT has traditionally fallen slightly short is acoustic performance — it can be a little harder sounding underfoot than carpet, particularly in upstairs rooms. That said, most modern LVT includes an integrated underlay which significantly reduces this, and a good quality rug in a living room takes care of any remaining noise concerns.
If you're still not sure, order a free XL sample before you commit. Seeing and feeling the floor in your own home, in your own light, is by far the best way to make the right decision.
LVT Flooring at Outlet Prices
At LVT Outlet we sell premium LVT flooring at genuine outlet prices — no gimmicks, no inflated RRPs. All our floors come with a 25 year residential warranty, free XL samples and fast UK delivery. Browse our full LVT flooring collection to find the right floor for your home.
The Short Answer
LVT flooring is a multi-layer synthetic floor covering designed to look like wood or stone, with the added benefits of being fully waterproof, scratch resistant, easy to install and simple to maintain. For most homes it's one of the smartest flooring choices available today.