Frequently asked
LVP flooring questions, answered
The questions we get most often from Idaho homeowners, landlords and property managers. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Choosing LVP
- What does LVP actually stand for?
- Luxury vinyl plank. It is a multi-layer resilient plank flooring: a clear wear layer on top, a printed design film, a rigid core (usually SPC or WPC), and often an attached backing pad. LVT is the same construction in tile format.
- Is LVP better than laminate or engineered wood?
- It is different, not universally better. LVP is waterproof at the plank and handles wet rooms and basements that laminate should not go in. Engineered wood is real wood and can be refinished. If your priority is water tolerance and low maintenance, LVP is usually the right call — and it is the only category we install, so we will tell you honestly when another material suits your room better.
- What wear layer thickness should I get?
- Wear layer is measured in mils. Roughly: 6 mil is builder-grade and shows traffic; 12 mil is a sensible residential standard; 20 mil and above is what we recommend for large dogs, gravel driveways, mudrooms and light commercial use.
- Does LVP work with radiant floor heat?
- Many products do, with a maximum surface temperature limit stated by the manufacturer, and the system has to be operated within it. Some products are not approved at all. We verify the specific product's written instructions before installing over radiant.
Installation
- How long does an LVP installation take?
- A single room is usually a day. A typical main floor runs two to four working days including tear-out, subfloor correction and trim. Extensive leveling, stairs, or a phased occupied-home schedule adds time, and we say so in the estimate rather than on day two.
- Do I have to move out during installation?
- No. Most residential jobs are done in zones with the household still living in the home. We keep a clear path through the house and hand back finished zones as we go.
- Can LVP go over my existing tile or vinyl?
- Sometimes. A single layer of well-bonded, flat ceramic tile or sheet vinyl can work as a substrate. Carpet, cushioned vinyl, particleboard underlayment and loose or hollow tile come out. We check during the estimate instead of assuming.
- Do you move furniture and appliances?
- By arrangement, yes. We ask that you empty closets and remove breakables and wall-hung items from the work zone; we handle the heavy pieces.
- Will there be a lot of dust?
- There is dust during tear-out and subfloor prep, particularly when removing tile or thinset. We contain the cut station, use dust extraction where practical, and clean the work zone daily.
Subfloor and moisture
- Why does my subfloor need work if the old carpet was fine?
- Carpet and pad hide deviation that rigid plank cannot. A dip a carpet absorbed becomes a hollow spot and stressed locking joints under LVP. Manufacturers publish a flatness tolerance — commonly 3/16 inch over 10 feet — and installing outside it voids the warranty.
- Do you test concrete for moisture?
- Yes, with in-situ relative humidity probes per ASTM F2170 on any slab that is getting adhered flooring or a below-grade install. Surface tests alone understate what is deeper in the slab.
- My crawlspace is damp. Does that matter?
- It matters a great deal. A wet crawlspace keeps re-wetting the subfloor from below regardless of what you install on top. Where we find a torn or missing ground vapor barrier or a drainage problem, we will tell you to fix that first.
Working with us
- Which areas do you serve?
- The Treasure Valley is our core service area — Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Garden City, Middleton and Mountain Home. We also take work in the Magic Valley, eastern Idaho and north Idaho, scheduled in full-day blocks to keep travel from inflating cost.
- Do you only do LVP?
- Resilient plank and tile flooring plus the subfloor work that goes under it. We do not install carpet, tile or hardwood. Specializing is why we can diagnose plank problems other contractors guess at.
- Will you install material I supply?
- Yes, on a labor-only basis, after we review the product and its written installation instructions. We will not install outside the manufacturer's specification, because doing so voids your product warranty.
- How do estimates work?
- We look at the rooms, measure, check the subfloor for flatness and moisture where we can access it, and send a written scope and price. If something is uncertain until the old floor comes up, we say so in the estimate and tell you what the range of outcomes is.
- How do I reach you?
- Call (208) 891-1890 or email hello@contractorinidaho.com. You can also send project details through the estimate form and we will respond during business hours.
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