What Is LVT Flooring?
LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. It is a category of resilient flooring manufactured in planks or tiles and constructed in layers rather than as a single solid material.
LVT products are designed to visually replicate materials like wood or stone while using a vinyl-based construction. Because of this layered design, LVT flooring is described using a wide range of technical specifications that may not appear with other flooring types.
This page provides reference-only explanations of LVT formats and specifications commonly listed on technical data sheets.
Floating vs Glue-Down LVT
LVT flooring is commonly manufactured in two primary formats. While both fall under the LVT category, their construction and listed specifications differ in important ways.
Floating (Rigid Core) LVT
Floating LVT uses a rigid polymer core and a mechanical locking system. Individual planks connect to each other and are not bonded directly to the subfloor.
Technical data sheets for rigid core LVT often emphasize core classification, locking systems, total thickness, acoustic ratings, and dimensional stability.
Glue-Down LVT
Glue-down LVT is a flexible format designed to be fully adhered to the subfloor using a specified adhesive system.
Glue-down data sheets typically highlight flexibility, adhesive compatibility, static load resistance, and thinner overall construction.
Common LVT specifications (glossary)
The specifications below commonly appear on LVT technical data sheets. Each term links to a deeper explanation of how that specification is defined and interpreted.
| Specification | What it describes (one sentence) | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Layer (mil) | The thickness of the clear protective surface layer applied to the top of an LVT plank or tile. | In-depth explanation |
| Total Thickness (mm) | The full height of the product from top surface to bottom backing, including core layers. | In-depth explanation |
| Core Type (SPC / WPC) | The structural center layer that defines rigidity and construction method. | In-depth explanation |
| Locking System | The mechanical edge profile used to connect floating LVT planks together. | In-depth explanation |
| Static Load Resistance | A laboratory measurement describing how the product responds to sustained pressure. | In-depth explanation |
| Acoustic Ratings (IIC / ΔIIC) | Test results indicating how impact sound transmission is reduced through the floor assembly. | In-depth explanation |
How end users typically use this information
Most end users encounter these specifications when reviewing product listings, comparing technical data sheets, or verifying details in a quote.
Each specification describes a specific construction detail, but no single value fully represents how an LVT floor will behave in real-world conditions.
Reference note: This page provides general informational reference about LVT flooring formats and specifications. It does not provide installation guidance, performance guarantees, or product recommendations.