LVT Flooring: Honest Answers from the Fitter

These are the questions I get asked in kitchens and hallways every week — and the same ones people type into Google. Straight answers, no showroom spin, from someone who fits LVT for a living.

What are the negatives of LVT flooring?

LVT can dent under heavy furniture without pads, fade in strong direct sunlight, and unlike hardwood it cannot be sanded back if damaged. But the biggest issue I see in the homes I fit across South London, Surrey and Kent is none of those — it is poor subfloor prep. LVT is thin and flexible, so any ridge or gap in old floorboards shows through. That is why I level and ply timber subfloors before laying a single plank.

Is LVT flooring worth the money?

Yes — provided two things: you choose a wear layer of at least 0.3mm (0.55mm for busy hallways), and it is fitted on a properly prepared subfloor. Almost every "failed" LVT floor I am called to rescue failed because of the installation, not the product. A mid-range LVT fitted correctly will comfortably outlast a cheap laminate.

How much does LVT fitting cost?

My LVT fitting starts from about £17/m², with herringbone and other patterned layouts priced higher due to the extra cutting and setting-out time. Subfloor preparation (plywood or smoothing compound) is quoted separately after a free site survey, so the price I give you is exactly what you pay — no hidden extras on the day.

Is LVT better than laminate?

For kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, yes — LVT is fully waterproof, warmer underfoot and quieter, while laminate can swell if water gets into the joints. Laminate is cheaper and slightly more scratch-resistant, so it still makes sense for bedrooms. Either way, both need a flat, well-prepared subfloor.

Can mold grow under LVT flooring?

Yes, if it is laid over a damp subfloor. LVT is waterproof from above, which means moisture rising from below gets trapped underneath it. This matters in older properties where concrete slabs often lack a working damp-proof membrane. I moisture-test every concrete subfloor before fitting and install a DPM where readings are high — that is what stops mould, not the flooring itself.

Is LVT used in high end homes?

Constantly. Premium ranges like Karndean and Amtico are specified in high-end kitchens and bathrooms precisely because real wood and stone do not cope with water and underfloor heating as well. The giveaway is not the material — it is the fitting. Tight cuts around door frames, symmetrical setting-out and flat subfloors are what make LVT look expensive; rushed fitting is what makes it look cheap.

Is it cheaper to install LVT or carpet?

Carpet, on both counts. My carpet fitting starts from about £9.00/m² supply-and-fit, while LVT fitting starts from about £17/m² because of the subfloor preparation and precision cutting involved. But they solve different problems — carpet for warmth and comfort in bedrooms and stairs, LVT for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways where water and wear would ruin a carpet. Most homes I fit end up with both.

Which is better, LVT or engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood is real timber, so it wins on prestige and can be re-sanded once or twice. LVT wins everywhere practicality matters: it is fully waterproof, more stable over underfloor heating, quieter, and roughly half the installed cost. For kitchens, bathrooms and busy family hallways I would fit LVT; for a living room where you want genuine wood underfoot, engineered board earns its price.

Is click or glue better for LVT flooring?

Glue-down is the better floor: lower profile, no hollow sound, and the right choice over underfloor heating or in rooms with heavy furniture. Click (SPC) is quicker and more forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections, and can be lifted later, so it suits rentals and upstairs rooms. I fit both — the honest answer depends on your subfloor and room, which is exactly what a free site survey settles.

Can you mop LVT flooring?

Yes — that is half the reason people choose it. A well-wrung mop with a neutral pH cleaner is all it needs. Avoid steam mops (the heat can attack the adhesive and the wear layer) and abrasive scourers. Unlike laminate, you do not have to worry about water creeping into joints on a glue-down LVT floor.

What is warmer, LVT or laminate?

LVT feels warmer underfoot because vinyl does not pull heat from your feet the way laminate's high-density fibreboard core does. It is also the better partner for underfloor heating — glue-down LVT transfers heat efficiently, whereas laminate plus underlay acts as an insulator. If a warm kitchen floor in winter is the goal, glue-down LVT is the fitter's choice.

Does LVT look cheap?

Budget LVT with a repetitive print pattern and a thin wear layer can. Mid-range and premium LVT is genuinely hard to tell from wood or stone at standing height — embossed grain textures now follow the printed plank pattern. In my experience the bigger factor is fitting: wavy cuts, lippage from a poor subfloor and misaligned patterns make even expensive LVT look cheap, while careful setting-out makes mid-range LVT look premium.

Do I need plywood over floorboards before laying LVT?

Yes, almost always. LVT is thin and flexible, so any gap or ridge in timber floorboards will telegraph through the surface. I secure loose boards and install a 6mm SP101-grade plywood overlay to create a flat, rigid base — it is the single biggest factor in how the finished floor looks and lasts.

Where I Work

Based in South London, my mobile showroom covers Surrey, Kent and Sussex. I carry a wide range of LVT samples direct to your door in areas like Oxted, Reigate, Coulsdon, and Speldhurst so you can choose the right finish in your own home's natural light. Whether you need a full supply-and-fit service or just a professional installer for LVT you've already purchased, I can help.