Vinyl Plank Flooring Pros and Cons (and How Long It Lasts)

Waterproof core: rigid core vinyl plank will not swell from spills, pet accidents or mopping.

Durable: a 20 to 28 mil wear layer holds up to kids, dogs and busy kitchens.

Realistic wood look at a fraction of hardwood prices.

Comfortable and quieter than tile, especially with an attached pad.

Fast install: it clicks together and floats; we usually finish 1,000 sq ft in a day.

Easy care: sweep and damp-mop, no waxing or refinishing.

Heavy point loads can dent it; use furniture pads and floor protectors.

Strong direct sun can fade any floor over time; blinds help.

Thin wear layers (12 mil and under) show wear sooner in busy rooms.

It cannot be sanded and refinished like hardwood. Damaged planks are replaced instead, which is why a running line you can reorder matters.

A bad install causes most problems: if trim is nailed or glued into the floor, it cannot expand and contract and will gap or buckle.

The wear layer is the biggest factor: a 28 mil plank in a busy home will outlast a 12 mil plank by a wide margin.

Install quality is next: a floor laid to manufacturer specs, over a flat slab, with room to expand, avoids most early failures.

Care matters too: grit and furniture legs do more damage than feet.

Pick 20 mil or thicker for most homes, 28 mil for big dogs or rentals.

Choose a running line so you can get matching planks later.

Have it installed to manufacturer specs, with the trim never fastened to the floor.

See our guides to wear layers and installation cost, or compare samples of every plank at 2919 Mary Ave in Waco or 126 Holmes Rd Unit 24 in Liberty Hill.