Author, Written by: P. Hirani (Wood flooring Expert)
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) has become one of the most popular flooring options in UK homes, offering style, durability, and practicality in equal measure. But not all LVT is created equal. Recently, Dark Core LVT has been making waves as an upgrade on traditional LVT, especially when it comes to maintaining colour over time.
If you have ever noticed a once vibrant floor fading, yellowing, or losing its depth of tone, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. So, does Dark Core truly outperform traditional LVT in colour retention or is it just a marketing buzzword? Let’s compare.
What is Dark Core LVT?
Dark Core LVT is a newer generation of vinyl flooring where the inner core layer is darker, typically made using a tinted or carbon infused PVC base. This deeper core is designed to enhance the overall appearance of the floor, especially in wood and stone look designs.
Because the dark underlayer sits beneath the printed design film, it works almost like a tinted background for a painting; the colours appear richer, deeper, and more consistent.
Key features of Dark Core LVT include:
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A more vibrant visual finish
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Reduced risk of visible white scuffs from impact
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Less noticeable gaps or joins compared to lighter core products
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Enhanced resistance to discolouration over time
What is Traditional LVT?
Traditional LVT/Vinyl has a lighter coloured core, often made from white or light grey PVC. While still durable and stylish, its lighter core can sometimes make darker designs look slightly muted. Over time, light core LVT is also more likely to show colour changes if exposed to prolonged sunlight or heavy wear.
Traditional LVT remains popular thanks to its lower cost, broad style range, and proven performance in residential and commercial spaces.
Why Colour Fading Happens
Colour fading in flooring is typically caused by three main factors:
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UV Exposure Prolonged sunlight can cause pigments in the print film to break down.
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Wear Layer Abrasion As the protective top layer wears, the printed design can appear duller.
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Core Discolouration In some cases, the core beneath the print layer can show through slightly, especially if the wear layer is thin or the design film is translucent.
Dark Core LVT addresses the third issue by ensuring that the base colour stays rich and consistent, which helps the design remain vibrant.
Dark Core vs. Traditional LVT: Colour Retention
In Low Sunlight Areas (e.g., UK Flats, Hallways, Basements):
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Both perform well, but Dark Core gives designs a slightly richer look from day one.
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Minimal difference in fading rates over time since UV exposure is low.
In High Sunlight Areas (e.g., Conservatories, South Facing Living Rooms):
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Dark Core tends to maintain depth of tone better because any subtle fading in the print layer is less noticeable over the darker background.
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Traditional LVT can show more visible lighting, especially in darker wood or stone designs.
In Heavy Traffic Zones (e.g., Kitchens, Entryways):
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Dark Core hides scuffs and surface scratches better, so colours appear fresher for longer.
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Traditional LVT may start to look more worn if the wear layer becomes scratched.
Maintenance Matters
Regardless of core colour, proper care plays a huge role in keeping LVT looking vibrant:
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Use blinds or UV protective films on windows in sun exposed rooms.
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Clean regularly with a pH neutral floor cleaner to prevent dirt buildup dulling the finish.
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Avoid abrasive pads which can scratch the wear layer.
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Reapply protective coating (if recommended by the manufacturer) to refresh the surface.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Dark Core LVT if:
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You want the richest, deepest colour in wood or stone-look designs.
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Your space has high traffic and you want scuffs to be less noticeable.
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You are concerned about long term visual consistency.
Choose Traditional LVT if:
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Your budget is a bigger priority.
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The area has low sunlight and you don’t need enhanced depth of tone.
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You want the widest choice of patterns and finishes at a lower cost.
Final Word
When it comes to colour retention, Dark Core LVT has a clear edge in maintaining depth and richness, especially in high sunlight or high traffic areas. While traditional LVT is still a strong performer, the darker core makes a subtle but lasting difference in how floors look over time.
If you’re investing in flooring for a statement room or a busy family space, Dark Core may be worth the upgrade ensuring your floor stays as vibrant on year five as it did on day one.
About Author:
Peter H. is a flooring product expert who knows all about different types of flooring materials. He shares his knowledge in blogs to help readers make the best choices for their spaces.