Chances are that you’ve been in a home or business with LVP flooring at some point. You may not have noticed it because of how authentic it can look when installed properly. Quality LVP products are built to last but like so many other construction materials, LVP flooring can fade in the sunlight over time. That said, there are a few measures you can take to avoid this problem and extend the life of your vinyl flooring.
What Is LVP Flooring?
LVP, or luxury vinyl plank, flooring is a type of vinyl flooring that captures all of the beauty of a traditional hardwood floor without the hefty price tag. It is similar to LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring, except it is designed to resemble a plank of wood instead of tile or stone. Here are some of the biggest selling points and drawbacks of this type of flooring.
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easily installed
- Easy to repair/maintain
- Tons of designs and aesthetic options
- Versatile
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Can fade in the sunlight over time
- Can’t be refinished like real wood
- Glued variety is hard to remove
- Quality isn’t consistent between brands
Does LVP Fade In The Sunlight?
Yes, unfortunately LVP flooring can fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight, but that shouldn’t discourage you from using it in your next project. Luxury vinyl plank is more resistant to fading when compared to other cheaper vinyl products, but fading is something you should keep in mind when deciding where to install it.
What Should You Do To Ensure That Your LVP Doesn’t Fade From Sun Exposure?
Utilize Window Blinds
An obvious way to keep your flooring from fading is to limit the amount of sunlight exposure by installing window blinds. This method works great, but it isn’t the most realistic as an all-in-one solution. Keeping your blinds closed all the time will probably take away from the overall aesthetic of the room. After all, what’s the point of installing a stunning luxury vinyl plank floor if you can’t bask in its beauty?
UV-Blockers
A more realistic long-term solution to this problem is to apply a UV-blocking tint to your windows. This allows you to let in as much sunshine as you please, without the damaging consequences from UV radiation.
Rearrange Your Furniture
If you aren’t keen on doing any modifications to your windows, you can always just move your furniture around on a regular basis. This won’t prevent your floors from fading, but it will make sure that the floors fade more evenly. If the furniture in the room sits in the same place every day for years, then the exposed flooring planks will fade while the hidden areas will maintain the factory color. Regularly rearranging your furniture will also help the room feel new because of the constantly changing aesthetics.
Replacing Planks
If you can’t beat them, join them. This mentality may sound odd, but instead of fighting the natural progression of the sun’s effects on your LVP flooring, you can just plan ahead by purchasing a few extra pieces up front. LVP is known for its easy installation, so if you have extra materials on deck, then you can just swap the faded planks out for new ones when they start to fade.
This option depends on the type of LVP you purchased. The click-lock/tongue and groove variety is the easiest to install and replace. Unfortunately, the glued/adhesive version of this flooring won’t be as easy to replace. This is something you should keep in mind before purchasing and installing an LVP floor.
Final Thoughts On LVP And The Sun
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a great option for those who love the look of real wood but don’t want to break the bank on a solid-core hardwood floor. LVP provides more design options and easy installation at a fraction of the price. Over time, sunlight can damage this type of flooring, but there are few types of flooring that won’t fade given enough time. Take some of these tips to heart when deciding what type of flooring you want to use in your upcoming project.
