EVP Flooring: What Exactly is it?

Over the last decade, vinyl flooring has continued to take the commercial flooring industry by storm. In fact, Spectra has installed over 92-million-square-feet of vinyl flooring just since 2012. While vinyl continues to grow and adapt with the times, one particular vinyl product is growing ever more popular: Engineered Vinyl Planks, also known as EVP. Here, we will examine what EVP is, the main differences between LVP and EVP, the benefits on EVP, and a few installation methods to consider.

What is EVP Flooring?

Short for engineered vinyl plank, EVP is designed to replicate hard surface flooring materials such as hardwood and stone — but the fun doesn’t stop there. Not only does EVP have the ability to identically mirror wood or stone, but it can also surpass these materials in terms of benefits as you will see later on in the article. 

Engineered vinyl planks are generally made up of the following five layers: 

• Clear protective layer – Resists scratching and increases durability
• Decor layer – Certain premium types of EVP come manufactured with realistic, 3D visuals that can be installed to resemble ceramic or stone.
• Vinyl Core layer – Waterproof characteristics
• Rigid Stone-Based Core – Keeps planks extremely stable and aids in hiding subfloor imperfections
• Structural backing layer – Sound-absorbing with textured grip

LVP vs EVP: What’s the Difference?

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and engineered vinyl planks (EVP) are both similar when it comes to visual presentation, durability, and how they stand up to water. However, knowing the main differences between the two is important to getting the best flooring to meet your facility’s specific needs. When deciphering amongst the pair, many choose EVP over LVP due to two main reasons: installation and stability. EVP is one of the easiest flooring products to install as it pieces together like that of a laminate floor. Also, differing from LVP, EVP has a rigid stone-based core that keeps the planks extremely stable for years to come. 

Benefits of EVP Flooring

Waterproof – Want a wood flooring look where wood flooring would traditionally never be found? If so, EVP is the flooring for you. 

Replicates Natural Stone or Wood – Even the most trained of eyes have difficulty determining EVP from the product it mimics. 

Easy Installation – Much like putting a puzzle together, engineered vinyl planks click together which makes installation not only easy but also fast! 

Increased Durability – The thicker the wear layer, the more durable your flooring will be. In fact, some engineered vinyl planks have a wear layer that can exceed 30 mils thick. 

Comfort – EVP has a softer surface than other flooring materials such as wood or stone. It is also more comfortable underfoot and sound-reducing, which is a very important trait for many facilities.

Affordability – Traditional hardwood and stone flooring options are more costly than engineered vinyl planks. If you’re looking for a durable alternative at a much lower cost, look no further.

Environmentally Friendly – Choosing EVP can help your facility earn LEED certification as many of the materials used in its production are those of renewable products, recyclable content, and low-emitting materials.

EVP Flooring Installation

Get commercial EVP flooring installation from our experienced teams and receive unbiased, greatest-value flooring solutions for your facility.

At Spectra Contract Flooring, we’ve installed nearly every type of commercial flooring, including a wide variety of vinyl planks. We can show you samples and help you select the best floor for your budget, interior design scheme and the rigors of your facility environment.

When it comes to installing engineered vinyl planks, it is a rather simple process. Much like installing any laminate floor, EVP simply clicks together. While EVP doesn’t need to be glued down, it may still be recommended in some areas. Check out, Floating vs Non-Floating Floors: What Gives to better determine which method best suits your facility.

Relative to this page: LVT Flooring: What Exactly is it? and SPC Flooring: What Exactly is it?