What's the difference between LVP and LVT?

LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) mimics the look of wood planks and is installed in long, narrow planks — typically 48 to 72 inches long. LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) mimics stone or ceramic tile and is installed in square or rectangular tile formats. Both are the same core product; the difference is purely the visual format. LVP is by far the more popular choice in Toronto homes right now.

Is luxury vinyl really waterproof?

Yes — the core, wear layer, and surface of LVP and LVT are all 100% waterproof. Water cannot penetrate the plank. However, water that seeps under the flooring through gaps at walls or transitions can still cause issues with the subfloor underneath, which is why proper installation with appropriate transitions and sealing at wet areas matters.

Can luxury vinyl be installed over existing tile or hardwood?

In many cases, yes. LVP is thin enough to float over most existing hard floors as long as the surface is flat, smooth, and structurally sound. We inspect the existing floor and confirm whether direct installation is suitable or whether removal is needed. Installing over existing flooring can save significant time and money.

How thick should luxury vinyl be?

Overall plank thickness (typically 5mm–8mm) determines how well the floor bridges minor subfloor imperfections. Wear layer thickness (6–20 mil) determines scratch and dent resistance. For most families with pets and kids, we recommend at least 12 mil wear layer and 6mm+ total thickness. We'll match you to the right product based on your rooms and household.

Does luxury vinyl fade in sunlight?

Premium LVP products have UV-resistant wear layers that resist fading well, but direct, prolonged sunlight through south or west-facing windows can cause gradual colour shift in any floor over many years. We recommend UV-filtering window films or blinds in very sunny rooms for any flooring type.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Toronto

LVP and LVT flooring that's 100% waterproof, beautifully realistic, and built for real life — supplied and installed by Toronto's flooring experts.

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The Modern Floor

The Floor That Can Handle Anything

Luxury vinyl has become the fastest-growing flooring category in North America — and for good reason. It combines the visual warmth of wood or stone with a level of practical durability that genuine hardwood and tile simply can't match. It's 100% waterproof, scratch- resistant, softer underfoot than tile, and available in hundreds of realistic wood and stone designs.

At Atlas Rug & Design Centre, we've been advising Toronto homeowners on luxury vinyl since it first entered the market — and we've seen the technology improve dramatically. Our showroom at 978 Bathurst Street carries a curated selection of LVP and LVT from leading manufacturers, with products at every price point and performance level. Come in and compare them side by side.

Weighing your options? See how vinyl compares to laminate, and because it's fully waterproof it's our top pick for a basement. Prefer the look of real wood? Explore hardwood.

Know the Difference

LVP vs LVT

LVP — Luxury Vinyl Plank

→ Mimics the look of real wood planks
→ Long, narrow format (typically 4–7" wide, 48–72" long)
→ Installed in staggered rows like hardwood
→ Ideal for open-plan spaces, bedrooms, basements
→ The dominant choice in Toronto residential interiors

Stone & Tile Look

LVT — Luxury Vinyl Tile

→ Mimics ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone
→ Square or rectangular tile format
→ Warmer and softer underfoot than real tile
→ No grout required (or optional thin grout joints)
→ Popular in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms

Under the Surface

Core Technology

What's inside the plank matters. The core determines rigidity, sound performance, and how well the floor tolerates temperature swings.

SPC Core

Stone Plastic Composite

SPC combines limestone powder with PVC to create an extremely rigid, dense core. This rigidity means SPC is the most dimensionally stable luxury vinyl — it doesn't expand and contract significantly with temperature changes. It also feels more solid underfoot than other vinyl constructions and is highly resistant to denting.

Most rigid & stable
Best for temperature extremes
Handles radiant heat well

Softer Feel

WPC Core

Wood Plastic Composite

WPC incorporates a foamed wood-composite core that is slightly softer and warmer underfoot than SPC. It provides excellent acoustic performance and a more cushioned feel — often preferred in above-grade living rooms and bedrooms where comfort takes priority over maximum rigidity.

Softer & warmer underfoot
Better acoustic performance
Comfortable for standing

Budget Option

Standard Vinyl

Traditional Vinyl Composite

Older-generation vinyl with a thinner, more flexible construction. Standard vinyl is the most affordable option and performs adequately in low-traffic areas. However, it shows subfloor imperfections more readily and lacks the acoustic and thermal performance of SPC and WPC. We typically recommend upgrading to SPC for most applications.

Most affordable
Flexible & easy to cut
Lower acoustic performance

Why LVP?

Built for Real Life

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100% Waterproof

Unlike hardwood or laminate, luxury vinyl is completely impervious to water. Spills, splashes, and even flooding won't damage it — making it the only sensible choice for bathrooms and basements.

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Softer Underfoot

The resilient construction of LVP absorbs impact and feels more comfortable underfoot than ceramic tile or stone — especially important in kitchens where you stand for extended periods.

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Pet & Kid Friendly

The wear layer on premium LVP resists scratches from pet nails and stands up to the demands of busy households. Easy to wipe clean — no grout lines to trap mess.

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Realistic Aesthetics

Advanced digital printing and textured embossing create vinyl planks that genuinely look and feel like real wood or stone. Many guests won't know the difference.

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Easy Maintenance

Sweep, vacuum, and damp-mop. No refinishing, no waxing, no sealing. LVP is one of the lowest-maintenance floors available for busy homes.

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Radiant Heat Compatible

Most LVP and LVT products are approved for use with in-floor radiant heating systems — check manufacturer specs, which we'll confirm for your specific product.

The Number That Matters Most

Don't Overlook This Number

The wear layer is the clear protective coating on top of the vinyl plank. It's the only thing standing between your floor's printed design and daily foot traffic, pet nails, furniture movement, and spills. Measured in thousandths of an inch (mil), the wear layer thickness is the single most important specification to check when comparing LVP products.

Wear Layer	Durability	Best For
6 mil	Light residential	Bedrooms, low-traffic areas
8 mil	Standard residential	Living rooms, bedrooms
12 mil	Heavy residential	Kitchens, hallways, families with pets
20 mil	Commercial-grade	High-traffic residential, small commercial spaces

We recommend a minimum of 12 mil for households with pets, children, or high foot traffic.

Where It Shines

Best Rooms for Luxury Vinyl

🍳

Kitchen

100% waterproof and easy underfoot during long cooking sessions. Stands up to spills, dropped items, and heavy foot traffic.

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Bathroom

The only floating floor we comfortably recommend for full bathrooms. No moisture concerns, no warping, no swelling.

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Basement

Basements are prone to humidity and occasional moisture. LVP handles both with ease — and adds warmth that cold tile can't match.

Common Questions

Luxury Vinyl FAQs

What Toronto Homeowners Say

Reviews From Our Customers

“We needed new flooring for our office on a tight deadline and Atlas delivered! They had a wide variety of vinyl options in stock and managed to complete the installation ahead of schedule. The workmanship is excellent, and the space looks completely transformed. Very professional and efficient team — we're extremely satisfied!”

Rebecca P.

Office — Vinyl

Verified Google Review

“The team was friendly and showed up on time every day. They worked quickly but carefully, and the floors look amazing now. What I really appreciated was how clean they kept everything and how they explained the process along the way. It made the whole experience easy and stress-free. Definitely recommend them if you're looking to upgrade your floors!”

Mauricio A.

Google Review

Verified Google Review

“Very positive experience. We were exploring options and came across Atlas. They were extremely professional, fair and personable. We will be using them again for our next flooring project.”

Nick D.

Google Review

Verified Google Review

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Luxury Vinyl Flooring Across Toronto & the GTA

Waterproof and hard-wearing, luxury vinyl is a favourite for Toronto basements, kitchens and busy family homes. We supply and professionally install it across the city — from Etobicoke and North York to Scarborough, East York, The Beaches and downtown Toronto — and throughout the GTA. Visit our showroom at 978 Bathurst Street.

Perfect for a basement or a condo. Weighing it against laminate? Read our vinyl vs. laminate comparison.

Ready for a Floor That Can Handle Real Life?

Visit our Bathurst Street showroom to see and feel our LVP and LVT range in person. Free quotes and in-home consultations available across Toronto.

Get a Free Quote Call (416) 533-3366

📍 978 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON · ⏰ Mon–Sat 10–4 · By appt. other times · ✅ Free In-Home Estimates