How to Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring from Heavy Furniture Dents

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Can You Put Heavy Furniture on Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl planks are the epitome of floor aesthetics. You might have seen them on an office floor and thought to yourself, wow, what a sleek wooden design. These floor designs exhibit a unique aura every time you walk between their elaborate pattern displays. 

You need to Install area rugs, mats, and furniture pads to prevent pinch points that ultimately dent your vinyl flooring. After installation, give it at least 48 hours before walking or putting furniture on your vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl just like laminate flooring is remarkably weight sensitive.

You can place vinyl planks in your homes, offices, and other living spaces with moderate traffic. However, Vinyl plank floors are relatively expensive, and you must always take care to prevent damage to the floor surface.

How to Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring from Heavy Furniture Dents. Can You Put Heavy Furniture on Vinyl Plank Flooring

Can You Put Heavy Furniture on Vinyl Plank Flooring

Yes, you can place heavy furniture on Vinyl plank floor surfaces. However, these floors are remarkably weight sensitive. You have to be careful about how you go about it, especially taking care not to cause a pinch point, which can easily cause a tear on the outer layer.

It is always a good idea to plan beforehand. While it’s true that vinyl planks can accommodate heavy furniture, it’s probably detrimental to place them on the surface itself. Instead, it is better if you first set the piece of furniture (such as the kitchen cabinet, table, piano) and work the flooring around the object. 

How to Effectively Place Heavy Furniture on A Vinyl Plank Floor

Common causes of floor surface damage include constant exposure to humidity, excess sunlight, heat, and physical distress on the wear layer. For example, dragging furniture across the surface can cause skid marks on the finish and negatively affect the vinyl plank’s quality.

 In the summer months, when it is hotter, wooden planks expand (and later contract during the cooler months). Once you place heavy furniture on the layering, you can interfere with the product’s heat cycle and cause buckling, folding and other damages to the floor’s locking system.

Overlooking such a basic thing can have some costly ramifications. However, switching on your AC might help in maintaining a regular temperature around the house.

Furniture paddings are another effective tool for reducing damage on floor surfaces. The idea is to minimize the furniture surface in contact with the floor. Besides, most paddings can cover large furniture pieces, and most are mainly affordable.

Note: Not all furniture pads are ideal for vinyl floors. Rubber pads, for instance, might stain a floor surface. First, it is best to consult an expert on the perfect padding to use for a vinyl plank floor.

How Much Weight Can Vinyl Plank Hold

Vinyl plank flooring is solid. It can accommodate a weight range of about 500 pounds (about 226kg) without suffering damage. Ideally, you can place a heavy piano, refrigerator relatively quickly (Of course you have to take care not to cause a dent on the floor surface). 

It is important to note that the weight held depends significantly on the individual plank, thickness, and the overall weight distribution of the object. Light duty planks, for instance, can hold weights of up to 25 pounds per square foot, while medium-duty planks can hold weights of up to 75 pounds per square foot. 

Applying such calculations can help you to determine the average weight held by a vinyl plank floor surface with relative ease.

How To Fix Furniture Dents on Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl planks are incredibly durable; most have an average lifespan that exceeds 10 years. If handled properly, they can last up to 15 years without the need for repair.

However, things don’t always work out as expected, and you might find yourself having to deal with a few dents, scratches, and misalignments on the floor.

There are several options for removing dents. Sometimes it depends on the severity of the damage, but most are easy to fix. For instance, moving large furniture pieces might leave scratches on the surface. One way to deal with the issue could include waxing the floor surface using car polish and wiping it with a soft cloth.

However, a considerable dent might call for some innovation and some practical knowledge. Here are a few steps that could help.

1. Remove Dust From The Dent

Large dents accumulate dust and other debris over time. Before fixing a mark on the floor surface, it is essential to clean the area extensively. You can even use a soft brush to scrub, cloth, and spray cleaner to get rid of excess dirt particles. Also, ensure that you don’t damage the remaining surface as you clean.

See More: Can You Use Swiffer WetJet on Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

2. Place Dishtowel over the surface.

Soak the Dishtowel so that it is almost entirely damp and place it all over the vinyl floor surface. Squeeze off the excess water as you go.

3. Preheat the Iron

Preheat the iron for about five minutes and set the temperature on cotton mode. Some people might also prefer using spare vinyl and patching up the damaged surface. Either way, always ensure that the iron is at the right temperature.

4. Place Iron Over the Dishtowel

The next step includes placing the hot iron over the damp dishcloth placed on the floor surface and rubbing it in a circular motion repetitively. Confirm between rounds and check to see if the dents pop out.

5. Examine the Floor

After about five minutes, remove the dishcloth and closely examine the surface. If you don’t like the results, repeat the steps continuously. 

There are different techniques for cleaning and fixing a dent on the floor. It is always a good idea to consult with an expert before embarking on your project. They might provide you with some helpful insight on the best method to apply.

Tip: Ensure you take time before moving in the furniture after vinyl flooring installation.

See More on How Soon Can You Walk on Vinyl Plank Flooring after Installation?

How to prevent and protect LVP from Heavy Furniture Dents

LVP needs constant care and attention to remain pleasant. Besides, it is quite an investment. You should ensure that you take care when moving heavy furniture objects across the room surface. Especially if your tables, chairs, and other furnishings are constantly moved around the house.

You can protect your floor from damage and prevent scratches, rips, and buckling by slightly adjusting your routine and avoiding potential causes of floor damage such as wearing spiky shoes while indoors.

Here are a few examples of what you can do to keep your floor surface clean and durable:

  • Keep the floor surface clean and free from dirt.
  • Tend to repair as soon as the damage occurs.
  • Avoid spiky heels while in the house.
  • Use casters for heavy furniture.
  • Watering plants on a floor surface affects humidity and might cause damage to the surface surrounding that space.

Bottom Line

Vinyl floors give a home an extra shine. They are also highly durable and can be used for a considerable time before the need for a replacement. However, these floor surfaces need a higher level of attention compared to regular flooring. Constantly moving heavy furniture, dirt and gravel can reduce the floor’s quality, including causing damage to an area. 

Despite having numerous subgroups, you need to understand that the surfaces require constant care. Conduct regular checkups of your floor surface to have an idea of what could be happening under the soles of your feet.

Also, reducing the constant movement of furniture and cleaning the floor makes for a good start. It is also essential to repair damaged areas quickly as such spaces can soon spread and become a tad more expensive than at the beginning.

Read More: How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring.

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AUTHOR

Joe McGuinty
I’ve been working with floors for over 12 years. I started as a flooring contractor, primarily in materials selection. Then, I switched careers into accounting, so my wife and I began buying, renovating, and re-selling homes on the side. You’d be surprised how much value you can add to a home simply by adding new floors.

1 thought on “How to Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring from Heavy Furniture Dents”

  1. OK – I have Vinyl plank flooring in my office – and it is “cupping” quite badly right where my rolling office chair “rolls”…..is the chair CAUSING the cupping? Temperature is quite constant, moisture is too, it has not expanded to “touch” adjoining walls….
    Any ideas? Is there a precedent for this in the experience of VPF manufacurers? Buyers?

    Reply

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