Article Can You Use LVT on Walls?

Yes. You can use Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) as a commercial wall covering when the correct products, adhesives, and installation methods are specified.

What began as a creative design workaround has evolved into a legitimate wall covering strategy for offices, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, hospitality environments, and mixed-use developments.

However, vertical installations require more than design intent alone.

In commercial environments, LVT must meet specific performance standards, including proper thickness, adhesive compatibility, and fire rating and code compliance requirements.

Key Takeaways

• You can use LVT on walls in commercial spaces when installed correctly
• LVT adds durability, moisture resistance, and easy maintenance to vertical surfaces
• It creates cohesive floor-to-wall designs and branded feature walls
• Proper surface prep and adhesive selection are critical
• Only LVT products approved for vertical use should be specified
• Always verify fire ratings and local building code compliance for vertical applications, especially in healthcare, hospitality, and educational environments

“Designers are always looking for ways to extend the use of performance materials beyond the floor. Using LVT on walls allows us to create cohesive environments that balance durability, cleanability, and visual impact. In commercial interiors, vertical LVT delivers both design flexibility and practical performance.” – Oxana Dallas, Principal Designer, Commercial, AHF™.

LVT offers durability, moisture resistance, and design flexibility that traditional wall coverings struggle to match. It also allows designers to extend flooring visuals vertically to create cohesive, high-impact interiors.

That said, not all LVT products are suitable for wall use. Thickness, construction, fire ratings, and adhesive compatibility all matter, especially in regulated commercial environments.

LVT Continues to Dominate as a Commercial Flooring Solution

Luxury Vinyl Tile continues to expand far beyond traditional flooring. Once seen primarily as a resilient alternative to hardwood or stone, LVT now plays a broader role in commercial interior design.

The global vinyl flooring market reached USD 25.37 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 5.5 percent CAGR through 2030. LVT already accounts for nearly 65 percent of that market and continues to grow at the fastest pace. Designers and facility managers increasingly choose LVT for its durability, water resistance, and ease of installation (Grand View Research).

Why LVT Works as a Commercial Wall Covering

Using LVT on walls is not just a design trend. It solves real performance and maintenance challenges in commercial interiors.

Luxury Vinyl Tile brings a unique combination of durability, moisture resistance, and design flexibility that traditional wall coverings struggle to match. That makes it a practical choice for high-traffic, high-visibility environments.

“In commercial spaces, designers need materials that do more than look good. They need surfaces that perform, clean easily, and hold up over time. Using LVT on walls gives us a way to extend durable, resilient materials into vertical applications without compromising on aesthetics or maintenance efficiency.” – Yon, Hinkle, VP of Product Management for Resilient Flooring, AHF™.

Here’s why vertical LVT solutions continue to gain traction in commercial design.

Durability and Low Maintenance

Commercial spaces require surfaces that withstand daily use.

LVT resists scratches, scuffs, and dents better than painted drywall, wallpaper, or decorative panels. It also cleans easily with standard maintenance protocols, making it ideal for environments where appearance and hygiene both matter.

In high-touch zones such as lobbies, corridors, cafés, and retail interiors, vertical LVT offers a more resilient alternative to conventional wall finishes.

For example, designers can now turn to performance-driven LVT collections from Armstrong Flooring™, such as Duo, Terra, Biome, and Coalesce, which balance visual softness with commercial-grade durability.

Diamond 10® Technology Improves Performance

These collections feature Diamond 10® Technology, which delivers advanced scratch, scuff, and stain resistance as flooring solutions. That same performance DNA carries into vertical applications.

Armstrong Flooring LVT also supports commercial safety requirements. Select collections meet stringent fire performance standards without the use of added flame retardants or other hazardous additives.

When approved for vertical installation, these products can deliver low flame spread and minimal smoke development, helping support code compliance in regulated commercial environments.

Moisture Resistance

LVT performs well in areas prone to spills, humidity, and intermittent moisture.

That makes it a smart option for:

• Bar fronts
• Backsplashes
• Break rooms
• Restrooms
• Hospitality and healthcare settings

With proper product selection and installation, LVT provides a water-resistant surface in areas where painted walls and decorative panels can easily fail.

Aesthetic Versatility

LVT mimics the visuals of wood, stone, concrete, and textiles with remarkable realism.

This allows designers to:

• Create feature walls
• Extend floor visuals vertically for cohesive interiors
• Install patterns like herringbone or chevron
• Support branded design concepts

Wood-look visuals bring warmth and texture to corporate interiors, hospitality spaces, and retail environments without introducing the maintenance challenges of real wood.

LVT delivers design flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Branding and Visual Impact

LVT supports creative expression in commercial interiors.

It can frame signage, reinforce brand identity, or create visual focal points that anchor a space. In retail, hospitality, and office environments, vertical LVT often becomes a defining design element rather than a background surface.

Designers can turn to solutions like Kaleido™ Color Lab to simplify the process of creating coordinated floor and wall designs using a curated portfolio of Armstrong Flooring commercial LVT products.

Kaleido™ Lets You Capture the Personality for Your Space

Kaleido provides a structured, repeatable approach that makes it easier to build cohesive interiors.

Just follow three simple steps to create your flooring or wall covering:

1. Select a base visual or pattern
2. Coordinate your color scheme
3. Select your tile size (18” x 18”, 18” x 36”, 6” x 36”)

This stepped approach allows designers to move quickly from concept to specification while maintaining visual harmony across a space.

How to Use Luxury Vinyl Flooring on Walls

Using LVT as a commercial wall covering requires a different approach than floor installations.

While LVT offers exceptional durability and design flexibility, vertical applications demand careful product selection, surface preparation, and installation methods to ensure long-term performance and code compliance.

Here are the most important considerations for using LVT on walls in commercial environments. /p>

Choose the Right LVT Thickness for Walls

Not all LVT products are suitable for vertical use.

For wall installations, 2.5 mm LVT is the recommended thickness because it provides the dimensional stability and adhesive compatibility required for vertical applications.

Thicker 5 mm luxury vinyl products and floating constructions work for flooring installations, not walls. These products are heavier, rely on mechanical locking systems, and won’t fully adhere to vertical surfaces. Using them on walls can lead to adhesive failure, long-term delamination, or warranty exclusions.

Dryback Construction Improves Adhesion

Most 2.5 mm LVT features dryback construction. That allows it to adhere directly to wall substrates using manufacturer-approved LVT adhesives or construction adhesives. This construction format enables vertical installations.

While 2.5 mm may be considered entry-level for floors, it is more than adequate for vertical, non-traffic applications. Walls do not experience rolling loads or foot traffic, but they do require stable, fully bonded materials.

Thickness isn’t a design preference. It’s a technical requirement for vertical installations.

Best Practices for Installing Luxury Vinyl Tile as a Wall Covering

With the appropriate product thickness selected, the next step is to install LVT responsibly. The following best practices provide high-level guidance for commercial wall installations. For detailed instructions, refer to AHF™ and its Floor Expert section on LVT Wall Installation.

Use an Approved Product and Thickness

Only glue-down LVT products approved for vertical use should be installed on walls. For commercial applications, 2.5 mm LVT is recommended for its dimensional stability and adhesive compatibility.

Condition the Jobsite

Install LVT only in temperature-controlled environments. Maintain stable temperatures before, during, and after installation. Sudden temperature changes can interfere with adhesive performance and dimensional stability.

Prepare the Wall Surface Properly

Wall substrates must be structurally sound, clean, dry, smooth, and free from dust, paint, wallpaper, residual adhesive, and surface contaminants. New drywall should be taped appropriately and finished at all seams.

Use the Correct Adhesive and Primer

Vertical installations require manufacturer-approved LVT adhesives and primers designed for wall applications. Do not use general-purpose adhesives or glue strips.

Follow Manufacturer Installation Methods

Establish layout lines before installation. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Apply consistent pressure to ensure complete adhesive contact. Allow proper cure times before loading or cleaning.

Confirm Fire Ratings and Code Compliance

Always verify that the selected collection is approved for vertical installation and meets required fire performance standards and local building codes, especially in healthcare, hospitality, and educational environments.

Using LVT on Walls as Part of Your Commercial Design Strategy

Luxury Vinyl Tile is no longer just a flooring solution.

As commercial interiors demand durability, flexibility, and cohesive design, LVT on walls has become a practical, performance-driven strategy rather than a design novelty.

When specified and installed correctly, vertical LVT delivers:

• Durability in high-traffic environments
• Moisture resistance in spill-prone areas
• Easy maintenance for long-term performance
• Visual cohesion between floors and walls
• Design flexibility for feature walls and branded interiors

That said, responsible specification matters.

Not all LVT products are suitable for wall applications. Thickness, construction format, adhesive compatibility, fire ratings, and installation methods all affect long-term performance and code compliance.

Look to Armstrong Flooring® for LVT Wall Coverings

Armstrong Flooring offers a broad portfolio of 2.5 mm glue-down LVT collections for vertical applications in commercial environments.

They provide the dimensional stability, adhesive compatibility, and durability required for wall installations when installed per manufacturer guidelines.

By pairing the right product thickness with proper surface preparation and manufacturer-approved installation methods, designers and specifiers can confidently extend LVT beyond the floor to create durable, cohesive, and visually compelling commercial interiors.

In that sense, LVT on walls is not a trend. It’s a future-forward design strategy grounded in performance and responsible specification.

Explore Armstrong Flooring’s 2.5 mm LVT solutions for wall applications or contact us at 1-866-243-2726.

FAQs: Using LVT on Walls in Commercial Spaces

Can you use LVT on walls?

Yes. You can use Luxury Vinyl Tile on walls in commercial environments with the correct products, adhesives, and installation methods. Not all LVT products are suitable for vertical applications, so thickness, construction format, fire ratings, and manufacturer approval all matter.

What thickness LVT should you use on walls?

For commercial wall installations, 2.5 mm glue-down LVT is the recommended thickness. It provides the dimensional stability and adhesive compatibility required for vertical applications. Thicker rigid-core and floating products are for floors, not walls.

Can LVT be used on bathroom walls?

Yes, in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms, break rooms, and backsplashes, LVT performs well when installed correctly and approved for vertical use. Avoid direct water exposure, such as inside showers, unless using a system specifically designed for wet environments.

Is LVT fire-rated for wall use?

Some LVT collections are certified for vertical applications and meet fire rating requirements, including Class A ratings. Always confirm that the selected product meets local building codes and fire safety standards for wall installations.

What kind of vinyl should you use on walls?

Only glue-down LVT products approved for vertical use should be installed on walls. For commercial applications, 2.5 mm dryback LVT is the appropriate construction format.

Does LVT on walls add structural support?

No. LVT on walls is strictly decorative and does not add structural integrity. Anchor wall-mounted fixtures, shelving, and signage into studs or structural supports.