Choosing Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring: Northern Michigan Buyer’s Guide
100% waterproof. Kid-proof. Pet-proof. Lake-house-proof. And now so realistic that most guests swear it’s real hardwood or stone.
For the last 5 years, luxury vinyl plank has been the #1 flooring we install from Torch Lake cottages to downtown Traverse City condos. Here’s exactly why — and how to pick the perfect one for your home.
Why Northern Michigan Families Are Switching to Luxury Vinyl Plank
- Completely waterproof – perfect for basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways with snowy boots
- Withstands dogs, kids, sand, and dropped wine glasses without scratching or denting
- Feels warmer and quieter than tile or real hardwood
- Installs over most existing floors (often in just one day)
- Half the price of real hardwood with twice the durability in high-moisture areas
- Looks indistinguishable from wood or stone — even up close
2025 LVP Buying Checklist – What Actually Matters
| Feature | Cheap LVP (avoid) |
Good | Best for Northern Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wear Layer | 6–12 mil | 20 mil | 22–30 mil + ceramic bead or aluminum oxide |
| Total Thickness | 2–4 mm | 5–6 mm | 7–8+ mm with attached pad |
| Core Type | WPC/SPC loose | Rigid Core SPC | Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) or Magnesium Core |
| Waterproof Warranty | Limited | Lifetime residential | Lifetime residential + light commercial |
| Realistic Look | Basic print | EIR (embossed-in-register) | Deep EIR + matte finish + painted bevels |
Best LVP Collections We Recommend in Our Showrooms Right Now
- CoreTec Pro Plus – toughest on the market, great for dogs & cottages
- Mohawk SolidTech Plus – wet-protect warranty, gorgeous wide planks
- Shaw Floorté Pro – 30-mil wear layer, lifetime warranty
- Proximity Mills – thickest planks (9 mm), quietest underfoot
Luxury Vinyl Plank & Allergies / Asthma
LVP is one of the healthiest flooring choices you can make:
- Zero fibers = no place for dust mites or pet dander to hide
- Most collections are FloorScore® certified (lowest VOCs)
- Just damp-mop with plain water – no harsh chemicals needed
Many of our customers in Harbor Springs and Traverse City with severe allergies or asthma choose LVP throughout the entire main floor.
Installation Options – What Works Best Up North
- Floating click-lock – fastest, over almost any subfloor
- Glue-down – zero movement, perfect over radiant heat or concrete
- We use our own full-time certified crews (never day-labor) and back every install with a lifetime warranty.
Simple Care That Keeps LVP Looking Brand-New for 30+ Years
- Sweep or vacuum daily in entryways (sand is the only enemy)
- Damp mop with water or approved LVP cleaner
- Use felt pads on furniture
- Never steam mop or use wax/polish
Ready to see how gorgeous luxury vinyl looks in your own home?
Stop by any of our three showrooms in Mancelona, Traverse City, or Harbor Springs, …or schedule your FREE in-home measure today.. We’ll bring huge 3-foot samples so you can see the textures and colors in your actual light — no pressure, just honest help from a company who’s been family-owned since 1986.
Or check out our guide to selecting carpet by clicking HERE!
We treat you like family because, at Kiss Carpet, you are.
– The Roberts Family & the entire Kiss Carpet Team