A fresh coat of paint changes a room fast. New flooring underneath it changes the room completely. When the two happen together, the result looks less like a touch-up and more like a brand-new space.
That is why so many homeowners pair a repaint with new floors. For the floor half of the job, vinyl plank flooring by Really Cheap Floors has become a popular go-to. This guide walks through how the two fit together and how to choose well.
What Makes Vinyl Plank Flooring So Popular?
Because it solves the three problems most homeowners have with wood. It looks the part, it survives real life, and it does not cost a fortune.
Luxury vinyl plank, often shortened to LVP, mimics the look of hardwood with a printed wood-grain layer. From standing height, most people cannot tell the difference. Up close, the warmth is convincing too.
The bigger draw is durability. A good plank is fully waterproof, which makes it safe for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where real wood fails. It resists scratches, dents, and fading from sunlight far better than laminate.
Cost seals the deal. Vinyl plank typically runs a fraction of the price of hardwood, both for materials and installation. That gap is why a whole-room refresh stays realistic on a normal budget.
Should You Paint or Install the Floor First?
This is the question every refresh runs into, and the order matters more than people expect. A simple sequence keeps the job clean:
- Prep and prime the walls first. Sanding and priming throw dust that you do not want settling on new floors.
- Do the bulk of the painting next. Get the messy roller and cutting-in work done before the floor goes down.
- Install the vinyl plank flooring. With the walls largely finished, the floor goes in clean and protected.
- Save the final touch-ups for last. A quick second coat on the baseboards hides any install scuffs.
The logic is simple: paint drips wipe off a drop cloth, but they sink into a fresh floor seam. Doing the dusty work first protects the surface you care about most.
If you are still choosing wall colors, lay a plank sample on the floor before you commit. The undertone of the flooring shifts how a paint color reads. Pulling a few indoor floor and paint ideas together early saves a repaint later.
How Do You Pick the Right Plank?
By reading two numbers and ignoring the marketing. Thickness and wear layer tell you almost everything about how a plank will hold up.
Overall thickness usually ranges from 2mm to 8mm or more. Thicker planks feel more solid underfoot and hide minor subfloor flaws. For busy areas like hallways and kitchens, thicker is the safer bet.
The wear layer is the clear top coat that takes the abuse. It is measured in mils, and 12 mil or higher suits a household with kids or pets. A thin wear layer is where bargain planks let you down.
Construction type matters too. Rigid core planks, sometimes called SPC, stay flat over imperfect subfloors and basements. A good vinyl primer and surface guide helps if you are prepping adjacent trim to match. For a deeper technical breakdown, This Old House keeps a clear luxury vinyl overview.
What Should You Budget and Plan For?
More than just the planks, though the planks are the easy part. A realistic plan covers the extras that catch first-timers out. The table below lays them out.
| Item | Why It Matters |
| Underlayment | Adds cushioning and quiets footsteps on hard subfloors |
| Transition strips | Bridges doorways between rooms cleanly |
| Subfloor prep | An uneven base telegraphs through thin planks |
| Baseboard or quarter round | Covers the expansion gap at the walls |
| 10% extra material | Covers cuts, mistakes, and future repairs |
None of these is expensive on its own. Skipping them is what turns a smooth weekend project into a frustrating one. For a broader view of how flooring types compare, the Consumer Reports flooring buying guide is a useful reality check before you buy.
What to Sort Before You Start
- Decide the paint-and-floor order before the first drop cloth comes out.
- Match the plank thickness to how hard the room gets used.
- Check the wear layer rating, aiming for 12 mil or higher in busy rooms.
- Test a plank sample against your wall color in real daylight.
- Order about 10 percent extra material for cuts and repairs.
Bringing the Room Together
A room refresh works best when the floor and the walls are planned as one job, not two. Vinyl plank gives you a hardwood look that handles spills, pets, and a busy household without flinching. Sort the sequence, pick a plank built for the room, and the finished space looks far more expensive than the budget behind it. That is the quiet trick behind a refresh that actually lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Install Vinyl Plank Over an Existing Floor?
Often, yes. Vinyl plank can go over many hard, flat surfaces like tile or sheet vinyl, as long as the base is clean and level. Soft or uneven floors usually need prep or removal first. Always check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific product.
Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Really Waterproof?
Most luxury vinyl plank is fully waterproof, which is its main advantage over laminate and wood. That makes it a strong choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Standing water can still reach the subfloor through seams over time, so spills are best wiped up promptly.
How Long Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Last?
A quality plank with a thick wear layer can last 15 to 25 years in a typical home. Lifespan depends heavily on the wear layer and how much traffic the room sees. Lighter-duty planks in busy rooms wear out far sooner.
Should I Paint the Walls Before New Flooring Goes In?
Generally, yes. Doing the dusty prep and the bulk of the painting first keeps debris and drips off your new floor. Save only the final baseboard touch-ups for after the planks are down. That order protects the surface that is hardest to clean.
