Hardwoods are classically beautiful, but for many homeowners, they’re too expensive and are damaged far too easily through everyday use. This is why more people are turning to more affordable and durable alternatives, such as luxury vinyl plank – or LVP.
LVP flooring is made of vinyl, so it’s more affordable than solid hardwood flooring. Because it is made of vinyl, it also offers additional benefits you won’t get with hardwoods, such as water resistance. If you’re interested in LVP flooring, one of the brands you’ll encounter is Cali Bamboo and its line of LVP flooring known as Cali Vinyl Pro LVP.
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP flooring is a commercial-grade flooring that promises a beautiful, luxury floor that’s durable enough for any home, easy to install, and looks extremely realistic. When put into use, does this flooring live up to these promises?
In this post, we’re going to break down the pros and cons of Cali Vinyl Pro LVP. We’ll evaluate factors including cost and style selection, while also looking at past consumer reviews to see if this flooring is as durable and high-quality as the manufacturer claims.
Is Cali Vinyl Pro LVP Flooring Budget-Friendly?
Before you even step foot into a home improvement store, your local flooring retailer, or start shopping around online, you probably already have a budget in mind for your project. Installing new flooring can be very expensive, especially if you’re remodeling your entire home. However, you can cut down on costs by choosing a budget-friendly flooring.
Before we look at the costs of Cali Vinyl Pro LVP, let’s get an idea of the average cost of LVP flooring. On average, you should expect to pay around $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot for commercial-grade luxury vinyl plank. Pricing may vary based on your region, the brand you select, and other factors.
Compared to other hard flooring types, it’s already easy to see that luxury vinyl plank is an affordable option. But how does Cali Vinyl Pro LVP compare to other brands?
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP is priced at around $3 to $3.50 per square foot, so it falls right in line with the average cost of LVP. Of course, pricing may vary based on where you purchase your flooring and the specific product you select. But based on the average pricing, Cali Vinyl Pro LVP flooring is a good choice for the budget-minded consumer.
Is This Flooring Easy To Install?
One of the drawbacks of new flooring is that you have to pay a contractor to install it for you, potentially adding thousands of dollars to your project costs. Not to mention, you have to have workers coming in and out of your house, which could be a burden. This is why many homeowners are choosing to install their own flooring.
Most hard flooring products such as hardwood and laminate require special tools and some skill if you plan to install them yourself. However, Cali Bamboo states that installing its Cali Vinyl Pro flooring is fast and easy to install yourself. What did consumers have to say about the process?
Based on reviews, consumers found that the floating click-lock installation process was extremely easy. Cali Bamboo provides tutorials online with detailed step-by-step instructions outlining every part of the process, from prepping the subfloor to properly clicking each plank into place. These guides feature text instructions as well as images to make the process as easy as possible.
Now, it is important to note that you have to take the time to do all of the steps. Having patience is critical to the proper installation of your floor. However, most homeowners found that installing the flooring as directed by Cali Bamboo was quick and easy.
Of course, if you don’t want to tackle the project yourself, you can always hire a professional installer. However, this could add hundreds of dollars or even more to your project cost.
Is This Flooring Durable?
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP is extremely durable and has many advantages over other hard flooring types such as solid hardwoods. For one, it’s completely waterproof. This means that you can install it anywhere, including bathrooms, kitchens, and below-grade rooms like basements.
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP is also resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. There is minimal expansion and contraction, so you can install it in any room in any region, regardless of climate.
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP also has a scratch-resistant finish, so it can withstand heavy traffic, rowdy children, and active pets. You do not have to worry about scratches as you would with floors like bamboo or solid hardwood.
However, Cali Vinyl Pro LVP flooring isn’t completely resistant to all damage. If it is in direct sunlight for long periods, fading may occur. You can avoid this by using rugs on exposed areas or adding window treatments or films to your windows.
You should not use rugs with rubber or vinyl backings on this flooring as it could cause staining. Dents may also occur over time, particularly in areas underneath heavy furniture or appliances. You can avoid this by using furniture coasters or by rearranging your furniture on a regular basis.
Overall, Cali Vinyl Pro LVP is extremely durable. This isn’t just claims made by the manufacturer, as consumers have overall positive reviews in terms of the quality of the flooring. In fact, many consumers state that this flooring exceeded their expectations.
To back up its quality, the manufacturer offers a 50-year residential warranty on its products. While this warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by daily use, it does protect you from defects in craftsmanship that could affect the performance and lifespan of your flooring.
What Colors & Styles Are Available?
Before you purchase new flooring, you want to make sure that it flows with the rest of your home. From the colors of your paint to your furnishings and décor, you want your new flooring to complement your style and home.
Cali Vinyl Pro LVP comes in a variety of styles and colors that replicate the latest looks in hardwood flooring. From light colors like Gray Ash to the stunning Walnut Creek and Shadowed Oak, this brand has many different styles and colors to perfectly complete any home.
Unsure of which style or color is right for you? You can order samples of the flooring through Cali Bamboo’s website. Samples are priced at 25 cents. However, the site frequently runs specials that allow you to receive samples at no cost and with free shipping.
How Do I Clean & Maintain My Flooring?
Who wants to come home from a long day of work to spend hours cleaning their floor, or spend a whole day on the weekend waxing and polishing a floor? This is a common problem with many hard flooring products. Does the same hold true for Cali Vinyl Pro LVP?
One of the best things about this flooring is that it’s very easy to clean and maintain. Simply use a regular broom, dust mop, or vacuum for hard floors to clean up pet hair, dust, dirt, and dander.
When it’s time for a deep clean, this is where luxury vinyl plank really stands out. With other flooring like laminate and hardwood, you need to take special precautions to prevent damage. With Cali Vinyl Pro LVP, there are very few special steps you need to take to clean your floor.
Cleaning LVP is very easy because it is 100 percent waterproof. This means that you can use a wet mop with a mild cleaner without worrying that your floor will stain, buckle, or become damaged. You can also use a steam mop to keep your floors looking their best.
Cali Bamboo recommends using a product like Bona Stone Tile & Laminate to keep your floors looking their best. However, you can use any cleaner as long as it does not contain harsh chemicals and is non-abrasive. Avoid cleaners that are ammonia-based, wax-based, or that contain acidic materials, bleach, or detergents.
You should also avoid using wax treatments or top coats on your floors. Simply cleaning with a wet mop and the correct cleaner will help keep your floors looking their best.
Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of LVP is that you can’t refinish it if it gets too much damage. This means that you will have to remove the damaged flooring and install new LVP or another type of flooring material. However, with proper care, you should expect your Cali Vinyl Pro LVP to last for many years.
FAQ
The brand, unfortunately, does not specify where their Cali Vinyl Pro flooring is made; however, they are very transparent about where their bamboo floors are sourced and produced. Since Cali is dedicated to delivering sustainable flooring options, they get their bamboo from the country with the highest bamboo concentration in the world—China.
Cali harvests the bamboo and manufactures their bamboo flooring in Anji County which is located in the Zhejiang Province of China.
How much is Cali Vinyl Pro?
Cali Vinyl Pro floors cost between $3 and $3.50 per square foot. If you need someone to install the luxury vinyl planks for you, you can expect to pay an additional $1 to $5 per square foot. The average price for luxury vinyl floors ranges between $2.50 and $4.50 per square foot.
The final cost will depend on which style you choose, the square footage you need to cover, and whether you’ll install the floors yourself or pay a professional. The price of the Cali Vinyl Pro flooring falls within the average cost for this flooring type.
Does Cali Vinyl Pro need underlayment?
Yes, Cali Vinyl Pro floors require an underlayment. Although this flooring is waterproof, that doesn’t guarantee that your floors are protected on their own so before installing them you should make sure to have a proper underlayment such as concrete.
Cali also offers an all-in-one underlayment that acts as a barrier for moisture and vapor. It’s a suitable choice to be added under their luxury vinyl, and you can also ask the brand to send samples. The material reduces noise, makes floors warmer, and is not toxic.
How to cut Cali Vinyl Pro long?
The Cali Vinyl Pro planks arrive long, and—depending on the style—their length can vary. If you want to cut the vinyl planks, you can use a miter saw or a utility knife. The first plank in the row should be at least 8” long, straight, and even.
Always start with an uncut plank; then you can cut the other planks to different lengths. When installing the Vinyl Pro planks you should start from the right and alternate between different plank lengths to achieve a more natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Final Verdict
When it comes to luxury vinyl plank, Cali Vinyl Pro LVP is a high-quality brand to consider. Consumer reviews back up the claims of the manufacturer that this is a product that’s built to last, looks realistic, and is easy to care for and maintain. It’s also extremely affordable when compared to other LVP flooring on the market.
Installing your flooring yourself can be a bit confusing. However, make sure to take your time and use the instructions the manufacturer provides to finish the job with professional results.
This brand offers many stylish colors and styles to complete the look of any home. Consumers were happy with how realistic this flooring looked, with some even stating that it looked better than their solid hardwoods.
If you want flooring that’s an affordable alternative to hardwoods, consider purchasing Cali Vinyl Pro LVP. This flooring is a hit with homeowners, improving the appearance of their homes at a fraction of the cost.
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