Re: Replacing Porcelain Tile with Luxury Vinyl

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I haven't had Lowe's do any flooring work but have had other things done. I'm convinced they use second rate contractors 2ho can't get work elsewhere else. They did sloppy work, and I'd never use them again. Look for a local flooring store. Ask for recommendations on the NextDoor app.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Posh Poodle · ‎06-27-2011

@patticakes your post interested me because my mother has luxury vinyl on her kitchen floor installed by Lowes a couple of years ago. She picked the nicest version they've got so nothing cheap!

It is a very nice herringbone pattern. Easy to clean BUT

1. Our poodles paws slip on them frequently causing me to worry about them hurting their legs or paws!

2. When my parents had to get a new refrigerator (after the vinyl was installed), it is near impossible to even roll it on the vinyl, even with the fridge being on rollers. The vinyl doesn't handle that well--the fridge sort of just "sank into" the spongy material. It was a bear getting that fridge into position!

3. The vinyl is easy to dent and can leave water marks if you don't clean up spills immediately.

Those are my observations. I told my husband not long ago I don't like the luxury vinyl and feel it's overrated. But that has been my experience. Maybe you will have better luck. I hope so!

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

Go to a local store that specializes in flooring and has been around a long time. You never know what kind of yahoos to install it the big box stores get. If they were really good, they wouldn't working for the big box store.

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

@patticakes

I just put it in my den (had horrible carpeting) I got several estimates ranging from $900-1400 to install. I bought the materials.

I have it in my bathroom and they went over tiles. I ended up going with a flooring company they did the rest of my house - a few years ago I removed all the rugs in my living areas they are bonded & insured and do excellent work.

I love it and I didn't chose HD or Lowe's as I didn't know who the contractor or his work, they are employed as third party by them. My friends did not have good experience when they did their kitchen through Home Depot. Lots of issues!

SEGardener · ‎09-09-2021

I relocated to rural TN at 2000ft elevation on a small homestead. Having a couple dogs and living out in the country, I opted for Luxury Vinyl Planks (8in wide) in my kitchen. I initially was going for a rustic wood floor and the vinyl planks have surpassed my expectations. That was 9-1/2 yrs ago. I'v esuffered a dishwasher overflow that flooded my kitchen and a refrigerator water line that failed also flooding my kitchen. I've suffered through spring and falls with muddy dogs and me trapsing in. The floor still looks gorgeous. In fact I've been tempted a couple times over the years to remove the carpet in my living room and hallway and install the same Luxury Vinyl Planks... Here's 2017 pics of my tiny farmhouse kitchen and here's what it looks like today 9/25/2025. Shows no dirt or wear, was a breeze to install, and reasonably priced from Lowes. I wanted an old pine oiled look. This Luxury Vinyl Plank has a deep subtle sheen. People actually thinks its wood. The planks went over oldeer tile. We merel filled groutlines and craks with mortar thn then the Luxury vinyl tile over the top. I didn't use Lowes installers, I had the guy helping me with remodel do the job. I thinks it came out beautiful. IMG_20250925_153245091 (3).jpg

@patticakes wrote:
I have porcelain tile in my kitchen which has been down forever and would like to replace it with luxury vinyl. Has anyone done this and need advice about where to purchase and have installed. I'm assuming tile will have to be removed and I'm not sure how big a job that is and the cost. Have you used stores like Lowes or Home Depot or a specialty floor covering store?