Rigid core luxury vinyl tile and plank (LVT/LVP) flooring is an improved version of first generation LVT. It’s more stable and is less likely to show indentation marks like high heel shoes or pet claws — a problem with some of the LVT category’s earlier products. You can drop a can of tomato soup on this floor and it won’t leave a dent. It’s more like laminate in this sense.

Rigid core literally means the core is solid PVC. The core is what’s between the top and bottom of the plank. Are you worried you might not have a perfectly even subfloor? One of the benefits of rigid core is it doesn’t telegraph minor subfloor imperfections is easier to install over imperfect subfloors. It can even be installed over things like tile and hardwood. But be careful with wavy floors because the locking mechanism may not perform well in this scenario.

It’s also dimensionally stable meaning that it will not expand and contract like traditional Luxury Vinyl Floors do. The benefit here is that it will not separate or create a ridge where the planks come together with changes in temperature or moisture level. It also eliminates cupping and warping. Direct sunlight is not a problem and no acclimation time is needed before installation. Use it anywhere – kitchen, bathroom or the basement!