Buying luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring can make your home look great. It’s stylish, strong, and easy to clean.
But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to make a few big mistakes that could cost you more money later.
The good news? These mistakes are easy to avoid—if you know what to look for.
Below are the top 4 LVP flooring mistakes people make, and how you can make smarter choices.
Buying luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring can make your home look great.
It’s stylish, strong, and easy to clean. But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to make a few big mistakes that could cost you more money later.
The good news? These mistakes are easy to avoid—if you know what to look for.
Below are the top 4 LVP flooring mistakes people make, and how you can make smarter choices.
We get it—looks matter. You want your floor to match your home’s style. But many people only think about color and don’t check anything else.
That’s a problem.
Some LVP planks might look great but be too thin, cheap, or not strong enough for the area you live in—especially places with heat like Arizona.
Here’s what to check besides color:
Plank thickness (thicker is stronger)
Heat rating (important in hot climates)
Core material (look for SPC or WPC, not cheap PVC)
Waterproof rating (a must for kitchens and bathrooms)
So yes—pick a floor you love to look at. But also check the product specs. A pretty floor that doesn’t last is a waste of money.
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We all love a good deal. But when it comes to LVP, cheap doesn’t always mean smart.
You might see flooring for $1.29 per square foot and think, “Wow, I’m saving a bunch!” But that cheap flooring could start to:
Warp from heat or moisture
Scratch from pets or shoes
Peel or crack in a short time
Then what happens? You end up paying twice as much to rip it out and replace it. That’s not a deal—it’s a trap.
Instead, find something mid-range or better. Ask for products with a strong warranty, a good wear layer, and strong customer reviews.
The wear layer is a clear top coat that protects your floor from daily damage. It’s measured in mils (not millimeters). The higher the mil number, the stronger your floor.
Here’s a simple guide:
| Wear Layer | Good For |
|---|---|
| 6–8 mil | Light traffic, no pets |
| 12 mil | Normal homes with kids/pets |
| 20+ mil | High traffic or business use |
If the floor you’re looking at has less than 12 mil, think twice. It may not hold up long. For families with dogs, children, or lots of guests, go with 20 mil or higher.
Buy now and pay overtime! We offer several different financing programs.
Even the best flooring can fail if it’s installed badly. This is one of the biggest LVP flooring mistakes people make.
A poor installer might:
Skip leveling the floor
Forget expansion gaps
Rush the job and leave gaps
Use the wrong tools or adhesives
These shortcuts can cause buckling, popping, or planks lifting at the edges.
That’s why choosing a trusted installer is just as important as picking the right floor. Ask questions like:
Are you licensed and insured?
What warranty do you offer?
Do you handle prep and cleanup?
At Floor Daddy, all floors are installed to top standards. Plus, they check everything afterward with a quality inspection. No corners cut—just good floors done right.
Our installation teams are licensed, insured, and screened regularly.
Flooring delivered
to your door.
Next day installation
is available.
We even help move
your furniture.
Floor Daddy isn’t just a flooring company. We’re your partner in the whole process—from picking the right product to making sure it’s installed perfectly.
With Arizona’s dry climate and dusty conditions, you need floors that are made to last. Floor Daddy helps you:
Choose products based on your lifestyle (kids, pets, weather)
Get top-quality materials with strong warranties
Enjoy clean, correct installation with no stress
Avoid all the LVP flooring mistakes we’ve talked about
We bring large flooring samples to your home for free!
We’ve already talked about the biggest LVP flooring mistakes—but there are a few more that buyers often miss. These don’t always show up right away, but they can lead to trouble down the line if you’re not careful.
Most people forget to check the warranty details when they buy flooring. They assume all products come with the same protection—but that’s not true. Some LVP brands offer 5-year warranties, while others go up to 25 years or even a lifetime warranty.
Here’s what you should ask:
What does the warranty cover—just wear and tear, or also fading, water damage, and installation issues?
Does it include labor, or just materials?
Is the warranty valid if I install it myself?
Knowing this ahead of time can save you from paying out-of-pocket for repairs that should have been covered.
Even though LVP is waterproof on the surface, problems can still happen underneath.
If moisture is trapped in the subfloor, it can cause mold, mildew, and even loosen the adhesive over time.
That’s why it’s smart to test your subfloor for moisture before installation—especially in basements, kitchens, or humid climates.
A professional installer will do this for you, but if you’re going the DIY route, make sure you know how to do it properly or hire someone who does.
It’s tempting to only buy the exact amount of square footage you think you need. But this is risky.
You always need to order extra—usually 10–15% more—for these reasons:
Mistakes during cutting
Odd-shaped rooms that need more trimming
Matching patterns between planks
If you run out of planks during installation, it can delay your project.
Worse, your store may not carry the same batch anymore, and the color may not match if you reorder later.
Let’s say you get your flooring delivered and realize it’s not what you expected. Maybe the color looks different in your lighting, or the plank texture feels off. Now what?
This is where a store’s return policy becomes super important. Ask things like:
Can I return unused boxes?
Is there a restocking fee?
What if the color looks different than online?
Some sellers are flexible. Others won’t take back opened products or will charge a big fee. Know your options before you swipe that card.
Buying LVP flooring is a big deal. You walk on it every day. You want it to look good, feel solid, and last for years.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t pick by color alone
Don’t go cheap on materials
Don’t ignore the wear layer
Don’t hire the wrong installer
Make smart choices now, and you’ll enjoy your floors for a long, long time. Ready to take the next step? Floor Daddy is here to help with expert advice and quality work you can trust.
Only if you live alone and have very light foot traffic. Otherwise, go with 12 or 20 mil for better durability.
You may see planks that lift, shift, or separate. Water damage is also more likely. Always hire pros.
You can—but it’s tricky. If you skip steps or make mistakes, it could void the warranty. Use a pro if possible.
Cheap floors often don’t last. They scratch, fade, or peel faster. In the end, you pay more to fix or replace them.
Ask for photos of past work, check reviews, and make sure they offer a warranty. Good installers are proud to show their work.
Many top flooring companies—including Floor Daddy—do offer financing plans. Ask during your free consultation.
