Vinyl & Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) have become the fastest-growing flooring category in New Brunswick, and for good reason — they combine the realistic appearance of hardwood or stone with 100% waterproof performance, making them the ideal solution for the moisture challenges that define Maritime home construction.

In a province where basement flooding, bathroom humidity, and kitchen spills are daily realities, LVP eliminates the anxiety that comes with hardwood or laminate in water-prone areas. Modern LVP features a rigid SPC (stone polymer composite) or WPC (wood polymer composite) core that is dimensionally stable — it does not expand, contract, or warp with humidity changes the way wood and laminate do.

This stability makes LVP particularly well-suited to NB homes where seasonal humidity swings of 30-40% relative humidity are normal, and where unheated spaces like entryways and mudrooms experience temperature fluctuations that would stress natural materials. Installation is typically floating click-lock, similar to laminate, with professional installers completing 400-600 square feet per day.

Unlike hardwood, LVP requires no acclimation period — it can be installed the same day it arrives, reducing project timelines. Subfloor preparation remains important: LVP is thin (4-8mm) and conforms to the subfloor beneath it, so any bumps, dips, or debris will telegraph through and become visible and felt underfoot. Professional installers in NB will patch, level, and clean the subfloor before laying LVP, ensuring a smooth finished result.

NB pricing for quality LVP materials ranges from $3-$7 per square foot, with premium brands like Mannington Adura, Shaw Floorte, and COREtec running $5-$8. Installation labour in NB adds $2-$5 per square foot. A typical 900 square foot LVP installation covering kitchen, bathroom, and main living areas costs $4,500 to $10,800 in the New Brunswick market.

For basements, LVP installed over a dimpled subfloor membrane provides a warm, attractive floor surface that can survive occasional water intrusion without damage — a significant advantage over carpet or hardwood in NB basement environments where moisture migration through concrete is common.