Why Choose Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

When you’re looking to upgrade the flooring in your home—especially in a busy family space or a high-traffic area—luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is one of the smartest choices. It blends the aesthetic appeal of hardwood or tile with practical advantages that more traditional floors often lack. Here’s a breakdown of why this type of flooring is gaining in popularity:

Key Advantages

• Durability & resistance: Many luxury vinyl planks and tiles are built to handle wear, scratches, and even moisture far better than older laminate or standard vinyl floors. For example, high-quality LVP is often at least 6-8 mm thick and features a 12-mil or greater wear layer.

• Water & moisture friendly: Some vinyl flooring products are described as “100% waterproof” and suitable even for basements, bathrooms, or kitchens—spaces where hardwood or laminate can struggle.

• Low maintenance: Compared with hardwood (which might need refinishing) or carpet (which traps allergens), luxury vinyl is easier to keep clean—sweep, mop, repeat. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Looks great & modern: Today’s products replicate wood, stone, herringbone patterns, grey tones, warm neutrals, etc.—making them a stylish choice for modern interiors. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Comfort & flexibility: Many LVF systems include click-lock installation or floating floors, can go over existing subfloors in some cases, and provide a warmer feel (underfoot) compared to tile. vellfinishfloors.ca

Things to watch out for

• Not all “luxury vinyl” is created equal: Wear layer thickness, core construction, warranty fine print, and installation quality all make a difference. One DIY forum commenter noted:

  “Look for 20 mil or higher wear layer if dogs are a factor… cheaper ‘rigid cores’ can still expand/contract heavily with temperature swings.”

• Installation matters: Even high-end materials can fail (gapping, lifting, curling) if the subfloor isn’t prepared properly or moisture issues exist.

• If you’re in a condo, check for sound proofing / underlay requirements:

  “You must contact your property manager to ensure whatever you do is compliant.”

A Top Flooring Destination in Brampton

If you’re based in Brampton and looking to explore luxury vinyl flooring options locally, I highly recommend visiting:

Vellfinish Floors

Location & Overview

• Address: 16 Strathearn Ave Unit 11&12, Brampton ON L6T 4P5, Canada.

• With a strong 5.0★ rating from ~67 reviews (at time of writing), they have a solid reputation for quality and service.

• They serve residential and commercial clients, offering a wide inventory of flooring types including luxury vinyl planks and tiles. vellfinishfloors.ca

• The showroom is described as an 8,000 sq. ft space with top-brands and installation services included. vellfinishfloors.ca

Why they stand out

• Quality inventory: They stock luxury vinyl lines from respected brands and collections (including “Twelve Oaks – Luxury Vinyl” series) with varying styles: e.g., “Alaskan Sky,” “Grey Spark,” “Golden Fleece.” vellfinishfloors.ca

• Installation included: They provide full service—from product selection, to installation, to finishing—so you get a turnkey experience. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Moisture-friendly options: There are vinyl products built for “water-prone areas” with scratch-resistant surfaces and click-lock systems. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Personalized service: Reviews note that staff guide customers through selection and ensure you’re matching the right product to your lifestyle (kids, pets, basement, kitchen, etc.).

Insider Tips for Visiting

• Bring in photos of your rooms (lighting, wall colours, furniture) to help the showroom staff match the tone and style of your space.

• Ask specifically about wear layer, core construction (SPC vs WPC vs standard vinyl), warranty terms, and what subfloor conditions they require.

• If you have pets, kids, or a basement renovation, mention it—Vellfinish seemed to highlight waterproof/scratch-resistant vinyl options. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Schedule a free estimate: They mention “Free Estimation !!” on their site. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Confirm installation timeline: Ask how long from order to install, what prep is involved, if old flooring (if any) must be removed.

• Explore samples in your lighting: Make sure the grain/pattern looks right in your home’s daytime & evening lighting, and check how it feels underfoot.

How to Select the “Best” Luxury Vinyl Flooring for You

Here are key selection criteria and questions to ask, especially relevant when you’re comparing products and dealers (like the above showroom) in Brampton.

1. Wear Layer Thickness

• A higher wear layer (for example 20 mil or more) is better if you have heavy traffic, pets, kids, or moving furniture. One forum user advised:

  “Look for 20 mil or higher wear layer if dogs are a factor…”

• Lower wear layers may still be fine for bedrooms or light traffic—but ask what the expected lifespan is.

2. Core Construction & Waterproofing

• Many premium vinyl options now use rigid core technologies (SPC – Stone Polymer Composite, or WPC – Wood Polymer Composite) which reduce expansion/contraction and improve stability.

• If your space is moisture susceptible (basement, kitchen, bathroom), ask for 100% waterproof core claims. The Brampton showroom highlights waterproof designs. vellfinishfloors.ca

• Also ask if underfloor heating compatibility is allowed.

3. Installation Method & Subfloor Preparation

• Click-lock floating floors are popular for ease and speed. The website mentions “Click-Lock Installation – Quick & secure setup.” vellfinishfloors.ca

• Ensure your subfloor is level, clean, dry. Failure to prepare the subfloor is one of the biggest causes of issues (lifted planks, gaps).

• Confirm whether removal of old flooring is included or extra, and what warranty is on the installation.

4. Warranty & Service

• Check what the manufacturer warranty covers (residential vs commercial, pet damage, moisture ingress, fading etc).

• Ask what the store’s installation warranty is (labour issues, workmanship).

• Read the fine print: Many warranties have conditions (e.g., proper underlay, approved adhesives, no damage from moving furniture).

• One caution: Users have reported issues when product failed outside short warranty window due to installation issues.

5. Style, Texture & Aesthetic Fit

• Look at plank size, colour tone, texture (embossed, smooth, high gloss etc).

• For resale value: luxury vinyl that mimics real wood or stone can elevate a space.

• Ask for samples and view them in your home lighting (natural & artificial).

• Theme the floor to your room: Light greys for modern minimalist, warm ambers for cozy, etc. The Brampton showroom lists many tones such as “Khaki”, “Cool Moon”, “Golden Fleece”. vellfinishfloors.ca

6. Budget vs Value

• Luxury vinyl is more expensive than standard vinyl, but cheaper than many hardwood or natural tile/stone installations. It offers a strong balance.While budgeting, factor in: material cost + underlay (if needed) + installation + any subfloor repair.

• Ask if there are package deals at the showroom (material + install) or financing options (the Brampton showroom mentions “flexible financing options”). vellfinishfloors.ca

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

If you’re looking to install luxury vinyl flooring in Brampton, the above store—Vellfinish Floors—ticks many of the right boxes: local, well reviewed, offering high quality vinyl options, installation services, and in-house expertise.

My recommendation:

• Book a visit to their showroom with your space’s measurements and photos.

• Bring a rough idea of your budget and ask to compare 2-3 luxury vinyl options side by side (different wear layers, cores, price tiers).

• Ask them to walk you through why one product costs more than another—what are you gaining (better core, better warranty, better finish?).

• Before ordering, request a full quote with breakdown: material cost, installation cost, timeline, warranty terms, any additional prep work required.

• After installation, maintain the floor as recommended (e.g., manufacturer instructions, proper cleaning products) to ensure you get the full lifespan.

Done right, luxury vinyl flooring will not only look fantastic but serve you well for years. If you like, I can also compile 2-3 other stores in the Brampton/GTA area specialising in luxury vinyl, with comparative notes, so you can do side-by-side quotes before deciding. Would you like that?