Walk through enough remodeled homes today and there's a good chance you'll find vinyl plank flooring somewhere.
There's a reason for that.
Vinyl plank has become one of our go-to flooring options at MDKennedy Real Estate Development because it hits a sweet spot between appearance, durability, cost, and practicality. But like most building materials, simply choosing vinyl plank doesn't guarantee a good result.
The productNot every vinyl plank performs the same way.
The preparationWhat's under the floor shapes what's on top of it.
The installationDetails decide whether the room looks finished.
Why Vinyl Plank Makes Sense
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl plank flooring is versatility.
Manufacturers offer an enormous range of colors, textures, plank sizes, and wood-look finishes. That makes it possible to get the appearance of hardwood without necessarily taking on the cost or maintenance requirements of real wood.
For renovation projects, it also allows us to use one flooring style through multiple areas of a home. Instead of breaking a floor plan up with several different flooring materials, vinyl plank can create a cleaner, more consistent look.
That can make a surprisingly big difference.
Durability Matters
A floor isn't there just to look good on the day the project is finished. It has to be lived on.
- Shoes
- Pets
- Furniture
- Spills
- Kids
- Dirt
- Everyday traffic
All of it takes a toll. A quality vinyl plank product is designed to handle that type of normal use while remaining relatively easy to maintain. That's especially important when we're renovating a property that needs to look good without becoming difficult for the next homeowner to take care of.
Not All Vinyl Plank Is the Same
This is where people can get into trouble. There can be a significant difference between an inexpensive vinyl plank and a better-quality product.
What actually affects how the floor performs
- Wear layer
- Overall thickness
- Locking system
- Attached pad
- Manufacturer specifications
Not much of a bargain: saving money on the material doesn't help if the floor starts separating, chipping, or showing excessive wear.
We look at the entire application rather than simply picking the least expensive box on the shelf.
The Floor Underneath It Matters Too
Even good flooring can perform poorly when it's installed over a bad surface.
Before installation, the subfloor needs to be evaluated. High spots, low spots, loose areas, damaged material, and other irregularities can cause problems after the finished flooring goes down.
This is one of those parts of remodeling that homeowners rarely see in the finished photos. But it's also one of the most important.
Good flooring starts before the first plank goes down. Preparation and installation are just as important as the product itself.
Installation Is Part of the Finished Product
Vinyl plank may look straightforward to install, but details matter.
What gets planned before the first plank
- Layout, planned before installation starts
- Seams staggered properly
- Expansion requirements followed
- Doorways and transitions
- Cabinets and walls
Rushing those steps can turn a good flooring product into a disappointing finished floor. Our goal isn't simply to get the flooring down.
A Practical Choice for the Right Project
We don't believe every house needs the most expensive materials available. We believe the materials should make sense for the house, the project, and the way the space will actually be used.
That's why vinyl plank flooring continues to show up in many of our renovations. When the right product is paired with proper preparation and installation, it provides a clean appearance, good durability, and strong value.
And in remodeling, that's often exactly what we're looking for.
Planning a renovation?
Trying to decide which materials make sense for your home? MDKennedy Real Estate Development can help you evaluate the project and choose options that balance appearance, durability, and budget.
Talk About Your ProjectBy
Matthew Kennedy
3 min read
