Vinyl plank suits slab homes and busy households across the area. A flat base and the right gaps at the walls are what make it last.
Luxury vinyl plank is a common choice for slab homes around New Orleans because the planks are made to be waterproof and do not swell in damp air. Rigid-core planks click together and float over the floor, so they can go over a level slab, sound tile or a flat wood subfloor. They resist spills, pet accidents and kids, and many look close to wood or stone from a few feet away.
Prep decides how well the floor lasts. A floating plank needs a flat base, so low spots in an older slab get filled with leveling compound, and high spots are ground down. An underlayment goes under the planks unless they have a pad attached. We leave a gap at every wall for movement and hide it under the baseboard or shoe molding. Very heavy furniture or cabinets set on top can pin the floor and cause gaps.
Waterproof planks do not make the whole floor flood-proof. Water still gets under them and into the slab, walls and baseboards, and everything has to dry before the floor goes back. Tall windows in older homes can also bake vinyl in direct afternoon sun, so blinds or curtains help keep planks from moving or fading. Ask for a plank with a thicker wear layer if the room gets heavy traffic.
Luxury vinyl plank in New Orleans: common questions
Can vinyl plank go over my old tile?
Often, if the tile is solid and flat. Deep grout lines may need filling so they do not show through, and door clearance has to be checked.
Is vinyl plank good for raised homes?
Yes, over a flat, sound wood subfloor. Soft spots or damp areas below are fixed first.
Does vinyl plank survive a flood?
The planks themselves do not swell, but they usually have to come up so the slab and walls can dry. Some can be reinstalled; damaged ones are replaced.
How it works
- Free in-home estimate: Call, text or book online. We measure the rooms and check the subfloor.
- Written quote: Material, prep and price in writing.
- Prep & delivery: We plan the order of rooms, deliver material and let wood acclimate.
- Install & walk-through: Our crew installs or refinishes, cleans up and walks it with you.