EVP Flooring: What exactly looks like it?

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Introduction to EVP Flooring

Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP) flooring has become an increasingly popular flooring option for homes in recent years. EVP flooring combines the look and feel of natural materials like hardwood or stone with the durability and water resistance of vinyl. This type of flooring offers a number of benefits that make it an attractive choice for many homeowners.

EVP flooring is composed of multiple layers fused together under heat and pressure to create a durable, scratch-resistant surface ideal for high-traffic areas. The planks have a click-locking system for easy DIY installation and the waterproof construction allows for use even in bathrooms or basements. With realistic wood and stone designs, EVP provides the beauty of natural materials without some of the drawbacks like susceptibility to moisture.

As homeowners consider their flooring options, EVP presents an excellent combination of aesthetics, durability, and affordability. This article will take an in-depth look at what exactly EVP flooring is, its benefits compared to alternatives, top brands on the market, proper installation, care and maintenance, and overall pros and cons of selecting this flooring.

What is EVP Flooring?

EVP flooring stands for engineered vinyl plank. It is a type of luxury vinyl flooring constructed in layers to provide enhanced durability and performance compared to other vinyl floor options.

EVP planks are comprised of four basic layers fused together under intense heat and pressure:

Protective wear layer: Clear vinyl layer that resists scratches, stains, and wear.
Decorative layer: Printed pattern layer that provides the visible design.
Core layer: Rigid or flexible layer that makes up the bulk of the plank thickness.
Backing layer: Provides stability and locks planks together.

The core layer is what distinguishes EVP from other types of luxury vinyl flooring. While basic LVP (luxury vinyl plank) uses a flexible, PVC-based core, EVP utilizes a rigid stone-plastic composite (SPC) or limestone core to improve durability. The rigid core makes EVP less prone to damage from indentations.

EVP’s multi-layer construction provides a number of notable benefits:

Waterproof: The vinyl wear layer is impervious to water.
Durable: Rigid core and thick wear layer resist scratches, dents.
Comfortable: Rigid core provides more stability underfoot.
DIY-friendly: Click-locking system enables easy “floating” installation.
Realistic designs: Print layer mimics wood, tile, and stone.

With both the beauty of natural materials and the resilience of vinyl, EVP offers homeowners the best of both worlds in flooring.

EVP vs. LVP Flooring

To better understand EVP flooring, it helps to compare it to LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring. While both share a multi-layer vinyl construction, there are a few key differences:

Core Composition

EVP: Rigid stone-plastic composite or limestone core.
LVP: Flexible PVC core.

The rigid core of EVP improves dent resistance compared to the softer, flexible core in LVP.

Thickness and Durability

EVP: Generally thicker with wear layers from 20-30 mil. Extremely durable.
LVP: Average thickness of 5-10 mil wear layer. Prone to dents.

With its thicker construction, EVP better withstands impacts and everyday wear-and-tear.

Ease of Installation

EVP: Click-locking system enables DIY floating installation.
LVP: Can be DIY click-lock or professional glue-down install.

EVP’s click-locking system allows for easy do-it-yourself installation without glue or nails.

While both offer the look of natural materials, EVP’s rigid core improves its durability, stability, and ease of installation compared to standard LVP.

EVP Flooring Brands and Options

There are a number of reputable brands offering EVP flooring lines. Some of the most popular include:

Mohawk SolidTech
Shaw Floorte
Coretec
USFloors Coreluxe
Karndean Korlok

Some of the key differences between product lines include the thickness of the wear layer, the types of core layers used, and the visual styles offered.

For example, Marketplace EVP flooring offers a 20 mil wear layer with limestone composite core. Marketplace EVP comes in styles mimicking oak, hickory, and exotic woods. It competes well with other mid-range EVP options.

EVP flooring provides homeowners with a wide selection of realistic visuals and durable constructions to suit their needs.

EVP Flooring Installation

Installing EVP flooring is a relatively easy DIY project using the floating click-lock method. Here is an overview of the key steps:

Prepare the subfloor – Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and flat.
Lay underlayment – Foam underlayment helps smooth imperfections.
Arrange planks – Lay planks out to visualize final pattern.
Click planks together – Connect long sides first with a tapping block.
Finish rows – Cut final row planks to fit against wall.
Install trim – Add wall baseboards and transition strips.

EVP can also be installed using a full-spread glue-down method for a permanent bond, but this requires more skill and labor.

No matter the installation method, following the manufacturer’s instructions and allowing proper expansion space are key for best results. With its click-locking system, EVP offers one of the easiest installation processes of any flooring type.

EVP Flooring Maintenance and Care

Caring for EVP flooring involves a few simple practices:

Sweep or vacuum to remove dirt and debris.
Damp mop with vinyl floor cleaner as needed.
Avoid excessive moisture and immediately wipe up spills.
Use furniture pads and area rugs in high-traffic zones.
Re-seal joints and gaps with flooring seam sealer if needed.

Minor scratches can be buffed out with an abrasive pad. Severely damaged planks must be cut out and replaced individually. With proper care, EVP flooring can last for decades.

EVP Flooring Pros and Cons

EVP flooring offers many benefits, but also has a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Pros

Waterproof and moisture-resistant
Durable and scratch-resistant
Comfortable underfoot
Easy DIY installation
Realistic wood and stone designs

Cons

Higher cost than LVP or laminate
Difficult to spot repair damaged planks
Not environmentally friendly
Can show indentations over time

For its resilience, convenience, and realistic visuals, EVP ranks highly among vinyl plank flooring options. But the higher cost and lack of full repairability should be weighed when choosing this flooring.

Conclusion

With its rigid stone-plastic core and multi-layer construction, EVP provides a durable, waterproof flooring solution. EVP offers homeowners the beauty of natural wood and stone paired with the flexibility of vinyl.

While EVP costs more than basic LVP, its enhanced dent resistance and easy installation make it an attractive option. When choosing EVP, go with a trusted brand and follow all manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. With proper care, EVP can provide many years of beauty and performance.

For homeowners seeking the perfect combination of realistic visuals, durability, and DIY-friendly installation, EVP flooring delivers on all counts. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons before selecting EVP as your new flooring.