Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring — LVP and LVT — is 100% waterproof at the plank, shrugs off pets, kids and heavy traffic, and reads as...

Order up to 5 free flooring samples

Featured in this collectionUltimate Extra Large Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring

About this collection

Vinyl plank flooring — LVP and LVT — is 100% waterproof at the plank, shrugs off pets, kids and heavy traffic, and reads as hardwood or stone at a fraction of the price. BuildDirect carries 270 colours in rigid core SPC and WPC from $1.99 per square foot, direct at wholesale pricing.

Click-lock rigid core is the DIY default. Glue down suits commercial traffic and imperfect subfloors, and loose lay lifts and relays without adhesive. Order free samples and compare them in your own light before you commit a whole room.

Which type of vinyl flooring do you need?

Vinyl is one material sold in four formats, and the format decides the installation more than the price does.

Waterproof rigid core LVP — the default for most homes. A stiff SPC or WPC core clicks together over almost any existing hard surface, resists dents and hides small subfloor imperfections. This is the format most first-time DIY installers finish successfully.
Glue down vinyl — bonds directly to the subfloor. Preferred for commercial traffic, for rooms that see standing water, and for slabs that are flat and clean enough to take adhesive properly.
Loose lay vinyl — heavy enough to stay put without glue or clicks. Lifts and relays without damage, which makes it useful in rentals and over access flooring.
Stone and tile look LVT — the same construction in a square or rectangular format, copying stone, concrete or ceramic instead of wood.
Peel and stick vinyl — the lightest-duty option, and the fastest to put down in a small room.

Wear layer is the spec that decides how long it lasts

Two planks that look identical on a screen can be rated for very different lives. The number that separates them is the wear layer, measured in mils — the clear top layer that takes the abrasion before the printed layer underneath is touched.

6 mil — light residential. A guest room or a closet.
12 mil — the standard for a busy household with kids and pets.
20 mil and above — commercial grade. Entryways, rentals, retail.

Core type is the second spec worth reading. SPC (stone plastic composite) is denser and more dent-resistant. WPC (wood plastic composite) is slightly softer and warmer underfoot. Both are waterproof; they differ in how they feel and how much abuse they take.

Where vinyl works

Because the plank itself is waterproof, vinyl goes in rooms that rule out most other floors — basements on concrete slabs, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms. It is also the usual choice for homes with dogs and for rental turnovers, where scratch resistance and a fast install matter more than resale prestige.

The one honest caveat: large amounts of standing water left long enough can still work through the seams and reach the subfloor. Waterproof describes the plank, not the room.

Vinyl, laminate or engineered hardwood?

Vinyl is 100% waterproof and the softest and quietest of the three underfoot. Laminate often reads more realistically at the same price because of its deeper emboss, and resists dents better, but a standard fibreboard core swells if it gets wet. Engineered hardwood is real wood, adds the most resale value and can be refinished, at a higher price and with more care needed around moisture.

Before you order

Colour and texture read differently on a screen than they do under your own lighting, and the difference is not small. Order free samples, lay them in the actual room, and look at them at night as well as in daylight. When you have a shortlist, a BuildDirect flooring expert will work out how many boxes you need including the waste factor, match the trims and quote the freight — at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vinyl flooring and how does it differ from other flooring types?

Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring material made from PVC and other compounds. It is designed to realistically mimic the look of wood, stone, or tile at a lower cost and with greater durability in wet or high-traffic conditions. Unlike hardwood, vinyl is water-resistant or fully waterproof depending on the construction. Unlike laminate, most vinyl can be installed in bathrooms and basements without issue. It comes in several formats including rigid core planks, flexible sheet vinyl, and glue-down tiles, each suited to different installation methods and subfloor conditions.

What are the different types of vinyl flooring?

The main types are rigid core LVP (luxury vinyl plank), which has a stiff core that resists dents and handles subfloor imperfections well; glue-down vinyl, which bonds directly to the subfloor and is preferred for commercial and high-traffic applications; and sheet vinyl, which is a continuous roll format that eliminates seams. Within rigid core, you will see SPC (stone plastic composite) and WPC (wood plastic composite). SPC is denser and more durable, WPC is slightly softer underfoot. The right type depends on where it is going, how much traffic the space gets, and your installation method.

Is vinyl flooring durable enough for high-traffic areas?

Yes. Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable options available for high-traffic residential and commercial spaces. The key spec to look at is the wear layer thickness, measured in mils. A 6 mil wear layer suits light residential use; 12 mil is the standard for busy households with pets and kids; 20 mil and above is commercial grade. The rigid core construction of LVP also means it resists denting from furniture and foot traffic better than softer flooring types.

Is vinyl flooring waterproof?

Most modern vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof at the plank or tile level. However, large amounts of standing water can still work through seams and affect the subfloor if left unaddressed. For areas with heavy moisture exposure like bathrooms and laundry rooms, glue-down installation or a product with tight locking joints is the safer choice. Always check the product specifications and follow manufacturer guidelines for moisture-prone installations.

How long does vinyl flooring last?

Quality vinyl flooring typically lasts 15 to 25 years or more with proper care. Lifespan depends heavily on the wear layer thickness, the amount of traffic the floor sees, and how well it is maintained. Keeping floors clean, using furniture pads, and avoiding prolonged exposure to standing water are the biggest factors in extending the life of a vinyl floor.

Can I install vinyl flooring myself?

Floating click-lock LVP is one of the most DIY-friendly flooring options available. The planks lock together without glue or nails and can be installed over most existing hard surfaces with minimal subfloor prep. Glue-down vinyl is more demanding and requires a clean, flat subfloor and proper adhesive application. If you are new to flooring installation, click-lock rigid core LVP is the format most homeowners successfully install on their first attempt. Always read the manufacturer installation instructions before starting.

Can I try vinyl flooring samples before I buy?

Yes. BuildDirect offers free samples on vinyl flooring so you can see how a product looks in your actual space before placing a full order. Colors and textures read differently on screen than they do in person under your lighting. Order a few options, lay them on your floor, and compare before committing.

What is the difference between LVP and LVT?

LVP is luxury vinyl plank and LVT is luxury vinyl tile. The construction is the same — the difference is the shape and what it imitates. LVP comes in long planks and copies hardwood. LVT comes in squares or rectangles and copies stone, ceramic or concrete, and it is often installed with a grout line to complete the effect. Both are available in rigid core, both are waterproof, and both use the same wear layer spec, so the choice is aesthetic rather than technical.

How much does vinyl plank flooring cost per square foot?

Vinyl plank flooring on BuildDirect runs from $1.99 to $6.43 per square foot, with most colours around $4.25. Price tracks three things: wear layer thickness, core type and plank size. A thin wear layer on a 4mm SPC core sits at the bottom of the range; a 20 mil wear layer on an extra-wide 8mm WPC plank sits at the top. Every product page shows the price per square foot alongside the price per box, and the coverage calculator works out how many boxes your room needs including the waste factor.

Can I buy vinyl plank flooring wholesale or in bulk?

Yes. BuildDirect sells direct at wholesale pricing, and there is no minimum order to get it. Contractors, builders, property managers and multi-family renovators can also join BuildDirect PRO for volume pricing, a dedicated account team and freight coordination on large orders. If you are pricing a whole building or a multi-unit turnover, ask for a quote rather than ordering box by box.

What is the best vinyl flooring for a basement or a bathroom?

Rigid core SPC is the usual answer for both. The stone plastic composite core does not swell, it handles the temperature swings of a below-grade slab, and it bridges minor subfloor imperfections that a thinner floor would telegraph. In a bathroom or a laundry room, where standing water can sit at the seams, a glue-down installation or a product with tight locking joints is safer than a plain floating floor. Check the subfloor for moisture before you order either way — concrete slabs need a moisture test, not a guess.

Your favorites

Find something you love.

Vinyl Flooring

Which type of vinyl flooring do you need?

Wear layer is the spec that decides how long it lasts

Where vinyl works

Vinyl, laminate or engineered hardwood?

Before you order

Frequently Asked Questions

Votre panier Your free samples

Great floors. Real people to help.

See it. Feel it. Find your fit.

Let’s meet in person.

Customer service

About BuildDirect

Visit a store

Comparer /3

Choisir les options

Vinyl Flooring

Which type of vinyl flooring do you need?

Wear layer is the spec that decides how long it lasts

Where vinyl works

Vinyl, laminate or engineered hardwood?

Before you order

Related Flooring Categories

Frequently Asked Questions

Great floors. Real people to help.

See it. Feel it. Find your fit.

Let’s meet in person.