Before & After: Lake House LVP Flooring

Choosing and Installing LVP Flooring for Our Lake House

Have you ever faced the daunting task of choosing flooring during a home renovation? If you have, you know how challenging it can be to strike the perfect balance between style, functionality, and budget. Last summer, we embarked on an exciting journey after stumbling upon a hidden gem on Lake Tuscaloosa. This lake house, with its great bones and immense potential, was in desperate need of updates—starting with the flooring.

The Flooring Dilemma

The existing vinyl flooring in the main living area wasn’t terrible, but the rest of the house featured a mismatched patchwork of flooring materials that clashed with the home’s overall aesthetic. To create a cohesive and updated look, we decided to replace all the flooring. After countless trips to flooring stores in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and ordering a mountain of samples, we finally chose HMTX Industries’ Allure Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring in the color “Gingermisu.”

Why We Chose LVP Flooring

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring was the ideal choice for our lake house for several reasons:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: LVP is significantly more affordable than hardwood flooring, making it a perfect fit for our budget-conscious renovation.
2. Durability: With small children, pets, and a lakefront lifestyle, we needed a flooring option that could handle everyday wear and tear. LVP’s waterproof and scratch-resistant properties were exactly what we needed.
3. Aesthetic Appeal: The Gingermisu Maple Allure ISOCORE LVP offered a 3D-embossed, authentic wood look at a price point that fit our budget. The warm tones complemented the lake house’s design beautifully.
4. Ease of Installation: The drop-and-lock installation method is DIY-friendly, although we hired a professional for a flawless finish.
5. Family and Pet-Friendly: Allure ISOCORE flooring includes a “ScratchProtect” coating for stain and scratch resistance. It’s also phthalate- and formaldehyde-free, ensuring a safe environment for our family.
6. Comfort: Unlike rigid SPC flooring, Allure ISOCORE LVP has a softer, warmer feel underfoot and produces a wood-like sound when walked on.

The Installation Process

While Allure ISOCORE LVP flooring is designed with DIY enthusiasts in mind, we opted to hire a local installer to save time and ensure professional results. At just $1.50 per square foot for installation, we secured a fantastic deal compared to the $2.50+ per square foot quotes we received from other contractors. In total, we spent approximately $10,000 in flooring materials and  $4,500 for installation for our 2,500-square-foot home.

For comparison, a quote for real hardwood flooring in just a portion of the house—including the kitchen, stairs, and color matching—was over $17,000. The decision to go with LVP not only saved us money but also gave us peace of mind knowing the flooring could withstand heavy foot traffic and water exposure.

Benefits of Allure ISOCORE LVP vs. SPC

We specifically chose Allure ISOCORE LVP over SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) for several key reasons:

1. Resilience and Comfort: Allure ISOCORE flooring is more flexible and comfortable underfoot compared to the rigid and brittle nature of SPC flooring.
2. Ease of Installation: The flexibility of Allure ISOCORE makes it more suitable for DIY applications and easier to install.
3. Acoustic Properties: Allure ISOCORE produces a soft, wood-like sound when walked on, whereas SPC can sound more like tile or concrete.
4. Attached Underlayment: Each ISOCORE plank includes a 1mm pre-attached underlayment pad, providing additional comfort and sound insulation.

Designing with LVP Flooring

The color “Gingermisu” stood out to us for its warm, natural tones and subtle texture, which beautifully mimics real wood. It pairs effortlessly with various interior styles, from rustic lake house charm to modern minimalism. While exploring options, we also admired these standout colorways:

1. Butterscotch Birch: A light, golden tone perfect for brightening spaces.
2. Almond Honey: A medium, neutral tone with broad design versatility.
3. Green Tea Tulip: A unique, contemporary shade for bolder designs.

We highly recommend ordering samples to see how the flooring looks in your space under different lighting conditions. Get 4 FREE samples today on the HMTX website!

Tips for Budget-Friendly Flooring Projects

If you’re considering LVP flooring for your own home, here are some tips to maximize your budget:

1. Shop Around for Installers: Compare quotes from multiple contractors to find the best price. Don’t hesitate to negotiate—our installer’s competitive pricing saved us thousands.
2. Order Samples First: Seeing and feeling the materials in person ensures you’re making the right choice.
3. Plan for Sales and Discounts: Take advantage of promotions, like HMTX’s free shipping for orders over $399 and our discount code “SOURCE25” for 25% off.
4. Consider DIY Installation: If you’re handy, LVP’s drop-and-lock method makes it an accessible DIY project, saving you on labor costs.

The Final Result

After 3.5 months of use, our Allure LVP flooring from HMTX has exceeded our expectations. It has held up beautifully through family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and several rental stays, showing no signs of wear and tear. The cohesive, updated look of the flooring has transformed our lake house into a welcoming retreat while increasing its value.

If you’re contemplating new flooring, we wholeheartedly recommend Allure ISOCORE LVP for its blend of style, durability, and affordability. Whether you’re updating your primary residence or vacation property, this flooring option is worth considering.

Ready to start your flooring journey? Use code “SOURCE25” at shopHMTX.com for 25% off your order and enjoy free shipping on orders over $399. Happy renovating!