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Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most popular flooring choices in the U.S. right now. Resilient vinyl flooring makes up over a third of all flooring sold nationwide. But popularity alone doesn't make it the right pick for your home.
Before you walk into a flooring store, you deserve straight answers about where vinyl plank falls short. Not every sales floor will bring these up — but we do.
Below, we'll cover the most common vinyl plank problems. We'll compare it against laminate and hardwood. We'll share how to avoid the biggest mistakes and what to ask before you buy.
In our Spokane showroom, we walk customers through these tradeoffs every week. Here's what we tell them.
The main downsides of vinyl plank flooring include:
Choosing the right quality level makes a real difference. A knowledgeable flooring store can help you sidestep the most common vinyl plank problems.
Browse our luxury vinyl plank option and see our supply.
Vinyl plank is a synthetic flooring made from multiple PVC layers. It is designed to look like real wood or stone. Most vinyl plank comes in two formats: click-lock planks that snap together or glue-down planks that attach directly to the subfloor.
It has become a go-to choice for homeowners for a few simple reasons:
Those pros are well known. You'll hear them in nearly every product listing and showroom pitch. But they only tell half the story.
The other half — the part that matters just as much when you're spending money on your floors — is where vinyl plank falls short. That's what we'll cover next.
Vinyl plank checks a lot of boxes. But once it's installed, some problems show up that most product listings don't mention.
Denting and scratching. Heavy furniture legs, dropped tools, and even pet claws can press into vinyl plank and leave marks. Unlike hardwood, you can't sand out the damage. Once the wear layer is cut through, the plank needs to be replaced.
VOC off-gassing. Cheaper vinyl plank products can release volatile organic compounds into your indoor air. This is most noticeable in the first few weeks after install. Products that don't meet California CARB Phase 2 standards are more likely to off-gas at higher levels. The EPA's guide to volatile organic compounds and indoor air quality explains why VOCs matter in your home.
Environmental concerns. Vinyl is a petroleum-based plastic. PVC production creates pollution, and old vinyl plank is difficult to recycle. Most of it ends up in landfills.
No boost to home resale value. Hardwood floors are a known selling point for buyers. Vinyl plank does not carry the same weight. Appraisers and real estate agents rarely credit it the same way.
Feels artificial underfoot. Even premium vinyl plank doesn't feel like real wood when you walk on it barefoot. The texture and temperature are noticeably different.
Warping from heat and sunlight. Rooms with large south-facing windows or temperature swings can cause vinyl planks to expand, buckle, or curl at the edges.
We've seen customers bring in warped vinyl plank samples from big-box stores, wondering what went wrong. In most cases, the product was a lower-quality tier or was installed without proper acclimation.
If vinyl plank has these drawbacks, what else should you consider? The two most common alternatives are laminate and hardwood. Here's how they stack up.
Cost (installed per sq ft)
Durability
Moisture resistance
Resale value
Eco-friendliness
Feel underfoot
Vinyl plank works best in rooms where water is a concern. Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are where it earns its keep.
Laminate fits well in bedrooms, offices, and living areas where moisture isn't an issue. It handles foot traffic and scratches better than vinyl at a similar price.
Hardwood is the strongest long-term investment. It's best for main living areas, dining rooms, and any space where resale value matters to you. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life.
No single material is perfect for every room. Many homeowners in Spokane end up using a mix — hardwood in the main living space and vinyl plank in the basement or bathroom.
Most vinyl plank issues come down to two things: product quality and installation. Get those right, and many of the downsides shrink or disappear.
Buy from a reputable flooring store. Not all vinyl plank is made the same. A local flooring store lets you see and feel samples before you commit. Staff who work with these products daily can point out quality differences you won't catch from an online photo.
Check for low-VOC certifications. Look for FloorScore or CARB Phase 2 labels on the product. These certifications mean the flooring has been tested for lower chemical emissions. If you don't see either label, ask why.
Use the right underlayment. Proper underlayment reduces noise, adds comfort, and helps the floor perform the way it should. Skipping it or using the wrong type causes problems down the road.
Follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines. Vinyl plank needs time to acclimate to your room's temperature before installation. Rushing this step is one of the most common causes of warping and buckling.
Protect sun-heavy rooms. If a room gets strong direct sunlight, UV-protective window treatments can reduce heat buildup on the floor surface. This helps prevent expansion and curling at the edges.
One tip we always share in our showroom: check the wear layer thickness. For residential use, look for at least 12 mil. Thicker wear layers resist scratches and dents much better than thinner ones. A low price tag often means a thinner wear layer — and a shorter floor life.
Yes — for the right rooms and the right budget, vinyl plank is still a solid choice. The downsides are real, but they don't cancel out the benefits when the product fits the situation.
Quality makes the biggest difference. A $2 per square foot vinyl plank from an online discount seller will not perform like a $6 per square foot product from a flooring store that stands behind what it sells.
One thing we always recommend: come in and see the samples in person. Photos and swatches online can't show you how a floor feels under your feet or how the edges lock together. Fifteen minutes in a showroom tells you more than an hour of browsing product pages.
Our flooring visualizer takes out the guesswork. You can see your space changed right away.
Upload a photo of your room. Pick a product from our collection. Watch what happens instantly. The realistic picture shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.
Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Pick a product. | Step 3: See the change right away!
Use the visualizer to pick your favorites online. Then ask for those specific samples to test in person. This gives you both online ease and hands-on proof.
Try the Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!
Reading about flooring online is a good start. But the best decisions happen when you can see, touch, and compare materials side by side.
Why a local flooring store matters. A showroom visit lets you hold real samples up against your cabinet colors or countertop photos. You can feel the difference between a 6-mil wear layer and a 20-mil wear layer in seconds. Staff who work with these products daily can answer questions that product listings can't.
Professional installation vs. DIY. Vinyl plank is marketed as a DIY-friendly floor. That's true for simple, square rooms. But for irregular layouts, transitions between rooms, or subfloors that need prep work, professional installation saves time and prevents costly mistakes.
How to check a flooring store's reputation. Look at Google reviews, not just the star rating. Read what customers say about the advice they received, not just the product. Check how long the store has been in business and which manufacturers they carry.
At Profloors & Blinds, we schedule personal flooring consultations by appointment so you get focused, one-on-one time with our team. No rush, no pressure. Bring your measurements and your questions — we'll walk through every option with you.
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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