Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring: Why Asheville Homeowners Are Making the Switch

Ask anyone who has renovated a home in Western North Carolina in the past five years what flooring they chose, and a significant portion will say luxury vinyl plank. LVP has gone from a niche alternative to one of the most requested flooring categories we handle at One Stop Flooring Shop. The reasons are practical and straightforward: it's 100% waterproof, it handles our mountain climate well, it stands up to pets and active families, and the visual quality has improved to the point where it genuinely looks like the wood or stone it's replicating.

This guide explains what LVP actually is, the key differences between product types, which brands we carry and recommend, and how to decide if it's the right flooring for your space.

What Is Luxury Vinyl Plank?

LVP is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product designed to look like hardwood or stone. The construction typically includes a vinyl backing layer, a dense core, a photographic print layer (which gives it the wood or stone appearance), and a protective wear layer on top.

The "luxury" distinction separates it from older, thin sheet vinyl products. LVP planks are thicker, more rigid, more realistic looking, and significantly more durable than vinyl flooring from 20 years ago. The category has absorbed a huge amount of manufacturing investment over the past decade, and today's products from brands like COREtec, Karndean, and Mannington are genuinely impressive.

Our dedicated LVP page shows the brands we carry, and you can see the full product range on our products page. You can also read how LVP compares head-to-head with hardwood in our blog post on hardwood vs. LVP for Asheville homes.

SPC vs. WPC: The Core Difference That Matters

The two main LVP core constructions you'll encounter are SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite). The names are a bit misleading — neither contains actual stone or wood — but the difference between them is real.

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) has a denser, harder core made from limestone powder and PVC. It's extremely rigid, highly impact-resistant, and very stable in temperature fluctuations. SPC is the preferred option for spaces with heavy foot traffic, commercial applications, and areas where subfloor imperfections need to be hidden (the rigid construction bridges minor dips and humps better). It's thinner overall, which makes transitions to adjacent flooring easier.

WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) has a foamed polymer core that's softer and more cushioned underfoot than SPC. It feels closer to walking on hardwood than SPC does and offers better acoustic performance — it's quieter under foot. WPC is a good choice for areas where comfort is a priority, like main living spaces and bedrooms.

For most Asheville homeowners doing whole-home installs, SPC in high-traffic and moisture-prone areas paired with WPC in living and bedroom spaces is a common approach. We'll help you sort out the right call for each room when you schedule your free consultation.

Why LVP Works Well in Asheville's Climate

Western North Carolina's humidity and seasonal temperature swings that challenge solid hardwood flooring are largely a non-issue for LVP. Vinyl doesn't absorb moisture, doesn't expand and contract with humidity changes the way wood does, and doesn't require an acclimation period before installation.

High-quality SPC products are rated for temperature ranges well beyond what any Asheville home experiences. They're also rated for high-humidity environments, which makes them appropriate for:

• Basements (where moisture is often a concern in WNC homes)

• Bathrooms and kitchens

• Mudrooms and laundry rooms

• Sunrooms with large windows and more temperature variation

For a full breakdown of waterproof flooring options in Asheville — including LVP, tile, and other moisture-resistant choices — read our waterproof flooring guide.

Wear Layer Thickness: What the Numbers Mean

The wear layer is the clear protective coating on the surface of LVP that determines how well it resists scratches, scuffs, and surface wear. It's measured in mils (thousandths of an inch).

6 mil — Entry-level residential. Fine for low-traffic bedrooms and spare rooms.

12 mil — Standard residential. Appropriate for most rooms in a typical home.

20 mil — Premium residential and light commercial. Good choice for active households, kitchens, and high-traffic areas.

28–30 mil — Heavy commercial. Rarely needed in residential settings unless the foot traffic is extreme.

For most Asheville homeowners, 12 to 20 mil is the right range. If you have dogs — especially larger breeds with harder nails — 20 mil is the better call. Our pet-friendly flooring guide covers scratch resistance in more detail.

Brands We Carry

We stock LVP from 11 manufacturers, which gives our clients a wide selection from value-tier through premium.

COREtec — One of the most recognized LVP brands in the industry. COREtec's cork-backed WPC planks are comfortable underfoot and very stable. Their style range is extensive, and the warranty programs are strong.

Karndean — A premium brand known for the most realistic stone and wood visuals in the LVP category. Karndean uses a different installation method (glue-down rather than floating) that eliminates hollow sounds and adds stability. It costs more but performs differently than standard click-lock products.

Mannington — An established flooring brand with strong LVP lines in both residential and commercial grades. Adura and ADURA Max are the main residential collections.

Shaw — Broad LVP catalog at multiple price points. Shaw's Floorté and Distinction lines are popular for whole-home installs.

Mohawk — SolidTech and RevWood Plus are well-regarded SPC lines with good wear layer specs.

Stanton — Strong presence in design-forward LVP with distinctive patterns and colors beyond the standard wood-look options.

Happy Feet — Value-positioned LVP with solid specs for budget-conscious projects.

LW Flooring — Carries some distinctive visual options that stand out from more mainstream lines.

Southwind — Reliable value with consistent availability.

Legendary Floors — Specialty product with some unique options outside the mainstream.

Engineered Floors — Better known for carpet but carries LVP with consistent quality standards.

Come see these brands in person at our Asheville showroom — the difference between COREtec and entry-level LVP is much easier to appreciate when you're standing on both.

Installation: What to Know

Most LVP installs are floating — the planks click together and the floor "floats" over the subfloor without being glued or nailed down. This makes installation faster and allows for some movement, which is an advantage in spaces with minor subfloor imperfections.

Glue-down installations (like Karndean) are more permanent, eliminate any residual hollow sound, and are the standard in commercial settings. They require a flatter subfloor and more time to install.

Subfloor flatness matters regardless of method. Our team checks subfloor condition during your in-home measurement and addresses any issues before installation begins. Our blog post on preparing your home for new flooring covers what you need to do before installation day.

One common mistake we see is buying LVP based on looks alone without checking wear layer specs or core type for the specific application. Our post on flooring mistakes Asheville homeowners make covers this and other things worth avoiding.

LVP vs. Other Flooring Types

LVP vs. hardwood — read our full hardwood vs. LVP comparison.

LVP vs. laminate — LVP wins on moisture resistance (LVP is fully waterproof; laminate is not), and generally matches or exceeds laminate on durability. Laminate costs less in most cases. Read our laminate flooring guide for a full breakdown.

LVP vs. tile — Tile is more durable long-term and cooler underfoot. LVP is warmer, more comfortable, and easier to install over most subfloors. See our tile flooring page for how tile compares in specific applications.

For a side-by-side look at all flooring types, our complete Asheville flooring guide is the place to start.

See Our LVP Work

Browse our projects gallery to see completed LVP installations in Asheville homes. Then come to the showroom to experience the difference between brands in person.

Ready to move forward? Get a free in-home quote or book an appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LVP really waterproof, or just water-resistant?

Quality LVP is 100% waterproof at the plank level — water will not damage the material itself. The weak points in a floating LVP floor are the seams, which is why proper installation and sealing at transitions matters. For submerged or flood conditions, no flooring product is appropriate.

Can LVP be installed over existing floors?

In many cases, yes. Floating LVP can go over existing hard flooring if the existing surface is flat, stable, and in good condition. We assess this during the in-home measurement visit.

How does LVP handle Asheville's temperature swings?

Very well. High-quality SPC products are engineered for temperature stability well beyond residential ranges. Unlike wood, LVP doesn't absorb or release moisture, so seasonal humidity changes don't cause the expansion and contraction issues that affect hardwood.

Will LVP work in my basement?

Yes — LVP is one of the best flooring choices for Asheville basements specifically because it handles moisture exposure. See our waterproof flooring guide for more on below-grade applications.

How does LVP compare to tile for bathrooms and kitchens?

Both are excellent waterproof choices. Tile is harder and more durable long-term. LVP is warmer underfoot and more comfortable to stand on for long periods — a meaningful advantage in kitchens. See our tile flooring options for the full comparison.