Blog > Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) & Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): What Is It and Why Is It So Popular? What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) & Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): What Is It and Why Is It So Popular? What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Friday, May 09, 2025

At Nolt’s Floor Covering, we’ve helped thousands of local homeowners in Ephrata, Myerstown, and the surrounding areas choose floors that look amazing and last for years. And lately, one type of flooring keeps stealing the spotlight: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT).

If you’ve been hearing all the buzz but still aren’t quite sure what makes LVP and LVT so special — or what you should know before buying — we’ve got you covered.

Let’s break it all down in plain English — no fancy flooring jargon, just helpful advice from your neighborhood flooring pros.

What Is LVP and LVT, exactly?

Let’s start with the basics.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) mimics the look of real hardwood flooring, while Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) mimics stone, slate, or ceramic tile. But unlike their natural counterparts, they’re made of several durable layers of synthetic material — including a wear layer, a printed design layer, and a rigid or flexible core — all designed to hold up to the real-life chaos of everyday living.

Why does that matter to you? Because you can get the beautiful look of natural flooring — wood grains, tile patterns, even textured surfaces — without the sky-high price tag or maintenance headaches.

Why So Many Homeowners Are Choosing LVP & LVT

We get this question a lot: “Why is everyone putting this stuff in their homes?”

Well, here's why we think it’s taking over in neighborhoods all over Lancaster and Lebanon Counties:

It’s Waterproof (Seriously!)

One of our customers in Ephrata came in looking for something waterproof after their water heater leaked on their old laminate flooring. The result? Warped planks and very frustrated homeowners.

That’s where LVP and LVT shine. They’re 100% waterproof, which makes them perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even basements.

Durability That Keeps Up with Life

LVP/LVT is built to handle pets, kids, parties, and everything in between. Many options come with scratch-resistant coatings and tough wear layers. One of our regular customers in Myerstown has three golden retrievers — and her floors still look brand new years later.

Low Maintenance = Big Win

No special polishes, sealers, or steam cleaning required. Just a quick sweep or mop and you’re good to go. (We love low-effort wins around here.)

Stylish & Realistic

The design quality these days is next level. From rustic farmhouse oak to sleek gray tile, you can find just about any look you want. We’ve even had customers say, “Wait, that’s not real wood?”

What You Need to Know Before You Buy

As much as we love LVP and LVT, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re choosing the right product for your home and lifestyle.

Subfloors Matter

These floors are only as good as what’s underneath. A smooth, dry subfloor is key to a successful install. If your home has uneven spots or moisture issues (especially in older basements), we’ll help you figure out the best prep work or materials needed.

Underlayment: To Use or Not to Use?

Some luxury vinyl products come with built-in underlayment, while others benefit from an added layer for soundproofing, comfort, and insulation. Don’t worry — we’ll walk you through it during your showroom visit or in-home consult.

Installation Options: Floating vs Glue-Down

• Click-lock (floating) is a popular DIY-friendly option that “snaps” together and floats above the subfloor.
• Glue-down provides a more permanent, stable install — great for high-traffic commercial areas or larger homes.

At Nolt’s, we offer professional installation, so you don’t have to stress about measuring, cutting, or lining things up perfectly (unless you really want to).

Radiant Heat? You Bet!

We get this question all the time — “Can I use LVP over my heated floors?” — and the answer is yes, most of the time. Just be sure to pick a product that’s rated for that use. And yes, we carry them!

Is LVP/LVT Right for You?

Let’s break it down by lifestyle. If you nod “yes” to a few of these, you’re in the right place:

• ✔️ You have pets or kids (or both)
• ✔️ You want waterproof floors
• ✔️ You love the look of hardwood or tile but not the upkeep
• ✔️ You’re remodeling on a budget
• ✔️ You don’t want to baby your floors

We’ve seen folks in their 30s building their dream homes, retirees downsizing into something simpler, and families with muddy boots and wet paws — all go with luxury vinyl and love it.

Choosing the Right Style for Your Space

Whether you’re dreaming of wide-plank, weathered barnwood in your living room or classic stone-look tile in the foyer, there’s a style for everyone. Some current favorites with our local homeowners:

• Warm honey tones (great for cozy farmhouse vibes)
• Soft grays and neutrals (modern and clean)
• Textured planks that look and feel like real wood
• Groutable LVT tiles for that authentic stone effect

And don’t stress about choosing — that’s what we’re here for. Our team loves helping you pull samples, visualize options, and find the perfect match.

Why Choose Nolt’s Floor Covering?

We're not a big-box store. We're your neighbors.

At Nolt’s Floor Covering, we’ve been helping families in Ephrata and Myerstown find the perfect flooring for years. We know which products hold up, what works in older homes, and how to make your renovation as smooth as possible.

We offer:

• Friendly, personalized service (no pushy salespeople here)
• High-quality brands you can trust
• Expert installers who treat your home like their own
• Free in-home consultations and quotes

We’re passionate about what we do — and it shows in our work. Just ask the countless families who keep coming back to us, project after project.

“Making your flooring dreams come true!” isn’t just a tagline — it’s what drives everything we do.

Ready to Explore LVP or LVT? Let’s Talk!

Whether you’re just starting your search or ready to schedule an install, we’d love to help.

➡️Stop by our showrooms in Ephrata or Myerstown to see these stunning floors in person

📍Ephrata, PA– 609 North State St., Ephrata PA 17522 (717) 733-5503
📍Myerstown, PA– 400 West Lincoln Ave., Myerstown PA 17067 (717) 866-6186

➡️ Or schedule a free in-home consultation — we’ll bring the samples to you!

Let’s find the perfect floor for your home — and make your flooring dreams come true!

Happy flooring – Nolt’s Floor Covering

Making your flooring dreams come true!