LVT flooring in living areas
Discussion
I had Aspire LVT installed in the kitchen last year, along with new skirting boards that sit on top. I’m really pleased with it as it makes the kitchen feel fresh, modern, and sharp.
I’m considering extending it into throughout the rest of the downstairs, so its all one continuous floor. However, i’m a little apprehensive about no longer having carpet in the living room, especially during cold winters and when considering room acoustics while watching films, etc.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has LVT or similar flooring in their living area, how do you find it in terms of comfort, warmth, and sound?
I’m considering extending it into throughout the rest of the downstairs, so its all one continuous floor. However, i’m a little apprehensive about no longer having carpet in the living room, especially during cold winters and when considering room acoustics while watching films, etc.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has LVT or similar flooring in their living area, how do you find it in terms of comfort, warmth, and sound?
I put Karndean right through the ground floor of my last house, I am gradually doing the same in my current home.
Granted it doesn't feel as nice underfoot as a carpet, especially in the lounge, but for a busy home with lots of traffic and dogs the lack of maintainance and durability make it the right solution for us.
We do have a large rug between the sofas in the lounge which helps give back a bit more of a homely feel, and provides somewhere for the dogs to relax in front of the fire.
We use LVT in our business extensively and have done for years, it is a good practical solution for a floor covering but it suits some and not others, I guess ultimately it comes down to the individual and the nature of the home but I for one think its great.
Sorry, edited to answer your question on warmth, comfort and noise. We are a 'no shoes' house and I just wear socks inside so aware that underfoot it isn't as comfortable as a carpet but nowhere near as harsh as a tile. Noise depends largely on the subfloor, again I can't say it has ever been an issue for us, it certainly has never been a topic of conversation, ours sits over a mix of a timber floor and concrete slab, I can tell the difference but that's because I know and doubt anybody else would even notice.
Granted it doesn't feel as nice underfoot as a carpet, especially in the lounge, but for a busy home with lots of traffic and dogs the lack of maintainance and durability make it the right solution for us.
We do have a large rug between the sofas in the lounge which helps give back a bit more of a homely feel, and provides somewhere for the dogs to relax in front of the fire.
We use LVT in our business extensively and have done for years, it is a good practical solution for a floor covering but it suits some and not others, I guess ultimately it comes down to the individual and the nature of the home but I for one think its great.
Sorry, edited to answer your question on warmth, comfort and noise. We are a 'no shoes' house and I just wear socks inside so aware that underfoot it isn't as comfortable as a carpet but nowhere near as harsh as a tile. Noise depends largely on the subfloor, again I can't say it has ever been an issue for us, it certainly has never been a topic of conversation, ours sits over a mix of a timber floor and concrete slab, I can tell the difference but that's because I know and doubt anybody else would even notice.
Edited by FlopperV60 on Saturday 20th December 10:28
Edited by FlopperV60 on Saturday 20th December 10:28
We've moved into a house with LVT in the lounge diner - it is the main route from the front door to the kitchen, so carpet isn't really an option. We like it though, especially with kids. I haven't noticed any acoustic issues. We have put a rug down, out of the main thoroughfare, and it does make it nicer in front of the sofa. It is only a temporary hand-me-down rug, but we will be getting another one when we redecorate the room. We will probably be keeping the LVT though, and likely getting more in the other downstairs rooms.
Amtico through must of the ground floor of our house.
In one of the sitting rooms we just have a large rub between the sofas. Along with floor length curtains and the soft furnishings themselves, it works well to cut down any echo.
ETA: warmth and comfort: ours is glue down on concrete floors. Because it’s plastic rather than ceramic/porcelain, it is definitely “warmer”. As with a poster above, we don’t wear shoes inside the house and tend to be in socks or slippers (of barefoot for our teenage daughter).
I was really happy to put it down instead of carpet. Looks great, hard wearing, feels great, easily cleaned. In fact, we skipped one room when we did it (for other reasons). That room is going to have it installed to catch up with the rest. It’s our home working study, so it will need sound management for Teams calls, but a rug or done panels will fix that.
In one of the sitting rooms we just have a large rub between the sofas. Along with floor length curtains and the soft furnishings themselves, it works well to cut down any echo.
ETA: warmth and comfort: ours is glue down on concrete floors. Because it’s plastic rather than ceramic/porcelain, it is definitely “warmer”. As with a poster above, we don’t wear shoes inside the house and tend to be in socks or slippers (of barefoot for our teenage daughter).
I was really happy to put it down instead of carpet. Looks great, hard wearing, feels great, easily cleaned. In fact, we skipped one room when we did it (for other reasons). That room is going to have it installed to catch up with the rest. It’s our home working study, so it will need sound management for Teams calls, but a rug or done panels will fix that.
Edited by OMITN on Saturday 20th December 21:24
We've got Kardean in all the downstairs except the kitchen, which has tiles, obviously the karndean is warmer than the tiles! But it's all on solid concrete floors so no noise.
There was a rug in the lounge, but with a dog, this soon became more dog hair than rug, so we ditched that. The dog doesn't like not having a rug as it's trickier to jump up on the sofa, but we don't really notice, except hoovering, which is much easier now.
There was a rug in the lounge, but with a dog, this soon became more dog hair than rug, so we ditched that. The dog doesn't like not having a rug as it's trickier to jump up on the sofa, but we don't really notice, except hoovering, which is much easier now.
We have mid-range (I think there's three levels) Karndean in our hall and extended kitchen / diner. Floor is concrete and in the extension it's insulated and the LVT feels fine there. In the older part of the house the floor gets absolutely freezing.
We wear slipper socks type things in the house with grippy spots on them. In ordinary socks the floor can be very slippy - we have to warn people visitors, we tell them to leave their shoes on but some insist on taking them off. It seems to catch out women wearing tights - if they "test" the floor they'll say it's fine, then suddenly they'll slip. It is better when it's had the "remove and refresh" cleaning process, but reverts quickly and that's only supposed to be needed every 6-12mths.
For a few weeks while our house was being refurbed we stayed in a place that had top-of-the range Amtico and that wasn't slippy at all. I think it was more heavily "grained" - people who saw it though it was real wood.
It's completely silent - people who've got click type flooring nearly always comment on that. Not noticed an acoustics issue - have a Sony acoustic surface TV in the room and it sounds fine.
We wear slipper socks type things in the house with grippy spots on them. In ordinary socks the floor can be very slippy - we have to warn people visitors, we tell them to leave their shoes on but some insist on taking them off. It seems to catch out women wearing tights - if they "test" the floor they'll say it's fine, then suddenly they'll slip. It is better when it's had the "remove and refresh" cleaning process, but reverts quickly and that's only supposed to be needed every 6-12mths.
For a few weeks while our house was being refurbed we stayed in a place that had top-of-the range Amtico and that wasn't slippy at all. I think it was more heavily "grained" - people who saw it though it was real wood.
It's completely silent - people who've got click type flooring nearly always comment on that. Not noticed an acoustics issue - have a Sony acoustic surface TV in the room and it sounds fine.
I changed from carpet to LVT in our living area and also removed and replaced the skirting board.
I chose Moduleo LayRed which is a click system but with a built in underlay which cushions the floor and helps with noise reduction and warmth.
I've been very pleased with the result and wish I'd switched from carpet earlier.
I chose Moduleo LayRed which is a click system but with a built in underlay which cushions the floor and helps with noise reduction and warmth.
I've been very pleased with the result and wish I'd switched from carpet earlier.
We have a large area of hard floors and a dog and grandchildren. I actually really prefer the carpet areas in our house .
It feels like two houses a cosy one and a practical one . I also think the lvt floors are more hassle to clean . We have a good hoover for the carpet, but heaps of different options on the hard floors , none of them that easy.
I always wear slippers and the hard floor would kill my feet if I didn't.
On Ballance I don't really like it over carpet.
It feels like two houses a cosy one and a practical one . I also think the lvt floors are more hassle to clean . We have a good hoover for the carpet, but heaps of different options on the hard floors , none of them that easy.
I always wear slippers and the hard floor would kill my feet if I didn't.
On Ballance I don't really like it over carpet.
We’ve got a mixture of Project and Karndean in every room bar tiles in bathrooms and carpet on stairs and landing. Would definitely choose it again. We’ve got a rug in the lounge for a homely feel. We rented a house with carpets where we were between properties - I was amazed how much dust filled the vacuum cleaner compared to hard floors.
I never understand the British love of carpets. You really don’t get them in many other countries to such a large extent as we seem to do here in the UK.
Carpets harbour dirt, bugs and kick up fluff for years not to mention can be almost impossible to clean if you happen to spill something like red wine.
In my last place I had tiles in every room except the living room which has an engineered wood floor. Didn’t have UFH so some rooms did get a tad chilly yo the touch in winter but nothing a pair of socks couldn’t repel.
Now refurbishing our current house and the plan is for tiles in every room but with UFH throughout. So far we’ve finished the kitchen/dining/living room and master bedroom and ensuite and it’s all tiled including skirting and some feature walls. Everyone that visits says it’s stunning and how warm / cosy the rooms feel. Not had a single adverse comment about the floors and not a single person has even said “oh - no carpets”.
In order of preference for any room I would go tiles/stone or wood, LVT, natural fibre flooring (coir / sisal) then lastly carpets!
Carpets harbour dirt, bugs and kick up fluff for years not to mention can be almost impossible to clean if you happen to spill something like red wine.
In my last place I had tiles in every room except the living room which has an engineered wood floor. Didn’t have UFH so some rooms did get a tad chilly yo the touch in winter but nothing a pair of socks couldn’t repel.
Now refurbishing our current house and the plan is for tiles in every room but with UFH throughout. So far we’ve finished the kitchen/dining/living room and master bedroom and ensuite and it’s all tiled including skirting and some feature walls. Everyone that visits says it’s stunning and how warm / cosy the rooms feel. Not had a single adverse comment about the floors and not a single person has even said “oh - no carpets”.
In order of preference for any room I would go tiles/stone or wood, LVT, natural fibre flooring (coir / sisal) then lastly carpets!
Karndean here through lounge, sitting room and hallways, coir matting in both porches along with tiles in kitchen/utility and vinyl in bathroom
Like it a lot but please get a decent fitter as our insurers used some cretins and ended up having it all ripped out and started again at it was an awful job, transpired it had been the builder who had a go.
Like all things a decent tradesman can make or break a job
Like it a lot but please get a decent fitter as our insurers used some cretins and ended up having it all ripped out and started again at it was an awful job, transpired it had been the builder who had a go.
Like all things a decent tradesman can make or break a job
I have LVT in the kitchen both bathrooms and downstairs WC and it’s great.
Not a fan of it throughout the house, it’s pretty cold unless you have underfloor heating.
Also If you have animals they can’t grip if they get spooked by anything, amusing but not good for their hips.
Personal choice I guess.
Not a fan of it throughout the house, it’s pretty cold unless you have underfloor heating.
Also If you have animals they can’t grip if they get spooked by anything, amusing but not good for their hips.
Personal choice I guess.
I have Karndean throughout, except stairs and landings.
My only advice is to not cheap out on it - my initial experience was in the kitchen but it wasn't great quality and not expertly laid. Big mistake. It was noisy and even started coming apart after only a couple of years.
Higher quality, properly fitted has made a world of difference. Large rugs and runners offer comfort and the opportunity to switch things around when we fancy a change.
My only advice is to not cheap out on it - my initial experience was in the kitchen but it wasn't great quality and not expertly laid. Big mistake. It was noisy and even started coming apart after only a couple of years.
Higher quality, properly fitted has made a world of difference. Large rugs and runners offer comfort and the opportunity to switch things around when we fancy a change.
How about LVT in a home office? I have a sit/stand desk, so need something that is good for both feet and chair wheels... My previous office had cheap carpet which seemed OK. My current office has laminate, which is good for sliding around the rood on the chair, but not the best for standing. Would LVT be a better bet when I redo the office? The other option is carpet, which would ideally match the rest of the upstairs carpets in the house, but I think that might be too soft for the wheels on my office chair.
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