Waterproof, pet-friendly, and remarkably realistic. Professional LVP and LVT installation across Monroe County and Western New York, backed by 16 years of trade craftsmanship from the team behind Somerset Patios and Concrete.
Luxury vinyl plank, commonly called LVP, has quickly become one of the most popular flooring choices for Rochester area homes, and for good reason. It is waterproof, withstands heavy traffic, looks remarkably like real hardwood or stone, and works in rooms where traditional hardwood simply cannot. At Proper Nin9 Flooring, we install LVP and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) for homeowners across the Greater Rochester area, with the same in-house crew, honest pricing, and meticulous prep work that have defined our work outdoors for more than a decade and a half.
What Is Luxury Vinyl Plank?
Luxury vinyl plank is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product designed to look and feel like real wood while offering durability and water resistance that hardwood cannot match. A typical LVP plank includes a rigid core (often stone-plastic composite, known as SPC, or wood-plastic composite, known as WPC), a high-resolution printed wear layer that mimics the look of natural wood or stone, a clear protective top layer that resists scratches and stains, and an attached underlayment that reduces sound and adds comfort underfoot.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is the same product in tile or square format, designed to look like ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone. We install both, and many homes use a combination of LVP in living areas and LVT in bathrooms or entryways for a coordinated look.
Why LVP Is Ideal for Western New York Homes
Rochester winters, basement moisture, and the daily realities of family life put real demands on flooring. LVP is built for exactly this environment.
Completely waterproof. Spills, pet accidents, snowy boots, and basement humidity will not damage a properly installed LVP floor. This is the single biggest advantage over hardwood or laminate, both of which can warp or swell when exposed to moisture.
Stable across temperature swings. Western New York homes see big temperature changes between summer and winter. Quality LVP, particularly SPC core products, expands and contracts very little, which makes it a smart choice for rooms with significant temperature variation, including three-season rooms and finished basements.
Pet and family friendly. The wear layer resists scratches from dog nails, dropped toys, and dragged furniture. Spills wipe up easily. For households with kids and pets, LVP is often the most practical flooring choice.
Quieter underfoot. Many LVP products include built-in underlayment that dampens sound, making a real difference in two-story homes, condos, and rooms over finished basements.
Comfortable to stand on. LVP has a slight give that makes it more comfortable underfoot than tile or laminate, particularly in kitchens where you spend long stretches standing.
Types of LVP and LVT We Install
Not all luxury vinyl is the same. The right product depends on the room, the traffic, the subfloor, and your budget. We help you choose, and we install all major LVP and LVT types.
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) Core LVP. The most rigid and dimensionally stable LVP available. Best for basements, kitchens, and homes with significant temperature swings. Excellent over imperfect subfloors.
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) Core LVP. Slightly softer underfoot than SPC and a bit warmer feeling. A great option for bedrooms, living rooms, and main floors where comfort matters as much as durability.
Glue Down LVP and LVT. Adhered directly to the subfloor for maximum stability. Often the best choice for commercial-style installations, large open areas, and homes with a subfloor in good condition.
Click Lock Floating LVP. The most popular residential option. Planks lock together and float over the subfloor, which makes installation faster and removal possible if you ever need it.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) in Stone and Tile Looks. Square or rectangular format products that mimic ceramic, porcelain, slate, marble, and other natural stones. Installed with or without grout lines, depending on the look you want.
Where LVP Works Best in Your Home
LVP is one of the few flooring products that works almost everywhere in a Rochester area home. The rooms where it really shines:
- Kitchens. Waterproof, comfortable to stand on, and easy to clean. A natural fit.
- Bathrooms. Real waterproof performance without the cold feel of tile.
- Basements. Handles concrete subfloors, moisture variation, and temperature swings that would destroy hardwood or laminate.
- Mudrooms and entryways. Built for snowy boots, wet shoes, and high traffic.
- Family rooms and living rooms. Pet and kid-friendly with the look of real wood.
- Whole home installations. Continuous LVP throughout the main floor creates a clean, modern look and eliminates transitions between rooms.
The few places we will tell you LVP may not be the best choice are formal spaces where you want the authentic warmth of solid hardwood, and sun-drenched rooms with extreme heat exposure where any vinyl product can be stressed. We will give you our honest read during the consultation.
Our LVP Installation Process
A great LVP installation is mostly about what happens before the first plank goes down. Here is how we approach every project:
1. Free in-home consultation. We come to your home, inspect the existing flooring and subfloor, measure the space, and discuss product options based on the room, traffic, and your budget.
2. Detailed written estimate. Materials, labor, removal, subfloor prep, and timeline, all itemized so you know exactly what you are paying for.
3. Removal and disposal of existing flooring. We handle the demo and the mess. Old carpet, tile, hardwood, or laminate gets pulled up, hauled out, and disposed of properly.
4. Subfloor inspection, leveling, and moisture management. This is the step most installers rush, and we never do. LVP needs a flat, dry, structurally sound subfloor to perform. We inspect, level, and address any moisture issues before installation begins.
5. Acclimation. Quality LVP needs to acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity before installation. We follow manufacturer specifications precisely, because skipping this step is one of the most common reasons LVP installations fail.
6. Professional installation. Our in-house crew installs the flooring using the correct method for your specific product, whether it’s click-lock floating, glue-down, or a combination. We pay close attention to plank layout, seam placement, and transitions.
7. Trim, transitions, and finish work. Quarter round, baseboards, transition strips, and thresholds are installed cleanly. The finish work is what separates a good install from a great one.
8. Daily cleanup and final walkthrough. We protect your home throughout the project and clean up at the end of every day. At completion, we walk you through the entire install to ensure everything meets your expectations.
LVP vs. Other Flooring Options
If you are still deciding which flooring is right for your project, here is a quick, honest comparison.
LVP vs. Hardwood. Hardwood offers unmatched authenticity, longevity, and resale value. LVP offers waterproof performance, lower cost, and easier maintenance. Many Rochester homeowners install hardwood in formal spaces and LVP in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms.
LVP vs. Laminate. Both are budget-friendly wood-look products. The difference is in moisture performance. Laminate is fiberboard underneath and will swell when exposed to water. LVP is waterproof. For Rochester homes, LVP is almost always the better choice unless budget is the deciding factor.
LVP vs. Tile. Tile is more durable in extreme conditions (heavy commercial use, mudrooms with constant water exposure), but it is colder, harder underfoot, and more expensive to install. For most residential applications, LVP delivers performance similar to that of traditional flooring, with greater comfort and lower cost.
We are happy to walk you through this in person and give you our honest recommendation based on your specific rooms and your priorities. We are not paid to push any one product.
Why Choose Proper Nin9 for LVP Installation
Trade-level prep work. Most LVP installation failures trace back to subfloor problems. Our background in masonry and concrete means we take subfloor prep seriously, every time.
In-house crew, no subcontractors. The team that gives you the estimate is the team that installs your floor. One crew, one standard, one accountable team.
Family-owned and operated. Mike and Bryan personally walk every project. You work directly with the owners from start to finish.
16 years of Rochester craftsmanship. Proper Nin9 is the indoor extension of Somerset Patios and Concrete, founded in 2010. Same owners, same standard.
Honest pricing and honest recommendations. We will tell you when LVP is the right choice and when it is not. No upselling, no pressure, no surprises.
Serving Monroe County and Western New York
We provide free in-home LVP installation estimates throughout the Greater Rochester area, including Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Irondequoit, Rochester, Greece, Henrietta, Victor, Macedon, Hilton, Spencerport, Chili, Gates, Perinton, and surrounding communities across Monroe County and Western New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About LVP Installation
How long does luxury vinyl plank last?
A quality LVP installation typically lasts 15 to 25 years in residential applications, with premium SPC core products often lasting longer. The wear layer thickness (measured in mils) is the single biggest factor in lifespan. We help you choose a wear layer appropriate to the room’s traffic level so the floor performs as expected for as long as possible.
Can LVP be installed over existing flooring?
Sometimes, yes. LVP can be installed over many existing hard surfaces (including ceramic tile, hardwood, and laminate) if the surface is flat, dry, and structurally sound. Carpet must always be removed. We inspect the existing flooring during the consultation and recommend the right approach for your specific situation.
How long does an LVP installation take?
A single room typically takes 1 to 2 days, including the removal of the existing flooring and subfloor prep. Whole-home installations generally fall within the 3- to 7-day range. We provide a firm, written timeline with every estimate so you know exactly what to expect.
Is LVP good for basements?
LVP is one of the best flooring options for basements in the Rochester area. SPC core LVP, in particular, handles concrete subfloors, moisture variations, and temperature swings far better than hardwood, laminate, or carpet. We always recommend a moisture test before installation in any basement to confirm the