Luxury Vinyl Planks - Flexible Vs. Rigid Core Vinyl: What's The Difference?

The differences between Flexible and Rigid Core luxury vinyl planks run quite a bit deeper than just their names. Choosing between these two flooring options involves many factors to consider. When installed in the right settings, both types of luxury vinyl flooring can truly transform your space into your dream floor. In this article, we'll take a look at many benefits of luxury vinyl flooring, highlight their similarities, and discuss the best ways to use Rigid Core and Flexible luxury vinyl planks. You'll also discover what sets these stylish flooring options apart from each other.

FLEXIBLE AND RIGID CORE

Luxury vinyl flooring generally falls into two categories: luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP). In this blog, we'll focus on the two types of LVP: Flexible and Rigid Core. But what exactly is LVP?

MT Sande Luxury Vinyl Planks

LVP is made up of layers of polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as vinyl. On top of the vinyl core, you'll find a print layer that showcases its beautiful design and colors. Above that, there's a protective wear layer along with a urethane coating, helping your durable tiles stay in great shape for many years. While not all Flexible LVP is glue-down, most are, so you might need to lay down an additional underlayment before installation. Rigid Core LVP features easy click-together planks, making setup smoother and more convenient.

Both Flexible and Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Planks make installation a breeze. They beautifully imitate the look of real stone and wood at a fraction of the cost, more details on that soon—and they require far less upkeep and annual maintenance. This means you'll spend less time worrying about your floors and more time enjoying their stunning appearance. Plus, they offer a wide variety of styles to choose from. And as mentioned earlier, both types feature a tough wear layer designed to handle busy areas, moisture, kids, pets, and more.

FLEXIBLE LUXURY VINYL

Flexible Luxury Vinyl Planks are usually glued down, making them easy to install and very stable. This stability is especially helpful in larger rooms, providing a secure and reliable surface. On the other hand, if you choose click-down planks for a bigger space, you might notice that the joints are a bit less stable, but they still offer a practical option.

The glue-down method offers a wonderful way to ensure your flooring stays securely in place, reducing the chances of lifting or showing wear at the seams. Just remember, for the best results, start with a smooth, perfectly flat subfloor; any bumps or imperfections can peek through and might cause damage over time. Taking this step helps your beautiful flooring remain durable and looking great for years to come. Additionally, where click in LVP like Rigid Core is easier to install yourself, with glue down Flexible flooring, professional installation is often recommended.

Maracay Brown Luxury Vinyl Planks

Choosing Flexible Luxury Vinyl Planks makes your future flooring updates a breeze! You can easily remove and swap out the planks or even install new flooring right over them with little effort. This flexibility is especially helpful if a single plank or section needs replacing. While both Flexible and Rigid Core LVP are fairly straightforward to replace, Flexible LVP is especially user-friendly because it doesn't involve a series of interlocking planks, making the process simpler and less time-consuming.

Opting for Flexible LVP is also a great way to save money compared to authentic stone or real wood flooring. You'll typically pay between $0.50 and $2 per square foot, making it not only affordable but truly a fantastic deal!

RIGID CORE LUXURY VINYL

Just as Flexible LVP is more appropriate for larger rooms, Rigid Core is more suited for smaller areas. When it comes to subfloors, such as below-grade rooms, basements, or areas prone to flooding, Rigid Core is the way to go.

A major benefit of Rigid Core LVP is its superior moisture durability as compared to hardwood flooring. Because of its vulnerability to moisture, installing real wood flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp areas isn’t recommended. With Rigid Core, you can easily attain the sought-after appearance of real wood flooring anywhere, thanks to its waterproof properties.

Brookline Luxury Vinyl Planks

One limitation of luxury vinyl plank flooring is that it isn’t suitable as an outdoor patio tile like pavers are. But that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the seamless indoor-outdoor installation you seek. MSI offers plank flooring options with matching porcelain pavers. For example, check out the Arterra Porcelain Paver line.

Choosing the right luxury vinyl plank depends on the specific room it will be used in. The great thing is, you’re not confined to a single flooring type. Select the most suitable option for each room’s particular requirements.

To make the most of your flooring investment, consider how each space functions throughout the day. High-traffic spots, multipurpose rooms, and areas where spills happen regularly benefit from materials that balance durability with visual appeal. Matching the performance of the luxury vinyl plank to the activity level of the room helps maintain a unified style throughout the home while keeping long-term upkeep manageable.

As you can see, Flexible and Rigid Core vinyl planks are both fine choices for different reasons. Where one works well in a large area, the other thrives in a smaller space. Both options come with numerous benefits such as longevity, ease of installation, durability, and more.

Deciding which LVP is right for your needs may come down to which is more suitable for which room. That’s the beautiful thing about it—you’re not limited to one flooring type. Choose what works best for each room’s specific needs. To learn more, take a look at this guide to luxury vinyl flooring, and please do not hesitate to contact us using our website's chat feature, visit an MSI showroom, or find an authorized MSI dealer in your area.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RIGID CORE VINYL FLOORING

New LVP Rigid Core Ashton Series
MSI Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Flooring - Low Cost, Durable Hardwood Looks
What Is Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring?