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Discover why the Armstrong Luxe Plank in Timber Bay/Barnyard Gray stands out for busy homes. This luxury vinyl plank flooring offers superior stain, scratch, and fade resistance, easy click-lock installation, and a realistic wood look at $3.99 per sq. ft. Perfect for kitchens, living rooms, and high-traffic areas—read our full breakdown, pros, cons, and buying tips.
Quick Pick: Armstrong Luxe Plank Timber Bay/Barnyard Gray
The best luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for high-traffic households. Excels in stain resistance (perfect scores in tests), scratches, fading, and easy DIY installation. Realistic gray wood grain mimics timber for a cozy, upscale vibe. At 5mm thick with 20-mil wear layer and 25-year warranty—ideal for kitchens, basements, and playrooms.
Key Specs: $3.99/sq. ft., click-lock system, no attached underlayment.
Perfect for busy families seeking value and longevity.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring has surged in popularity for its blend of affordability, durability, and wood-like aesthetics without the maintenance hassles of real hardwood. If you're renovating a kitchen, updating a living room, or outfitting a home office, the Armstrong Luxe Plank in Timber Bay/Barnyard Gray emerges as a standout option. This resilient flooring delivers a sophisticated gray-toned plank design that evokes rustic timber barns, making it versatile for contemporary, farmhouse, or industrial interiors.
In this Review Atlas guide, we'll dive into its performance metrics, real-world applications, installation ease, and long-term value. Drawing from hands-on evaluations, we scored it highly for wear resistance and user-friendly features, positioning it as a smart pick for budgets around $4 per square foot.
LVP like the Armstrong Timber Bay offers a floating installation over most subfloors, no glue required, and waterproof properties ideal for moisture-prone areas. Unlike laminate, it won't swell from spills; compared to tile, it's warmer underfoot and quieter.
Key advantages:
For homes with moderate to heavy foot traffic (think 4-6 people daily), this plank holds its appearance after simulated years of wear, maintaining color vibrancy and surface integrity.
We put this flooring through rigorous tests simulating daily life: spills of coffee, wine, and grease; scratches from keys and chairs; fading under UV lamps; and heavy foot traffic with rolling loads.
Stain Resistance: 10/10
Perfect performance—no penetration from common household messes. Red wine lifted clean after 24 hours; mustard and ketchup wiped off effortlessly.
Scratch Resistance: 9/10
Very good resilience. Light scratches from utensils faded with buffing; deeper marks from dragged pots were minimal compared to softer vinyls.
Fade Resistance: 9/10
Holds color beautifully. After 200 hours of UV exposure, gray tones shifted less than 5%, outperforming budget laminates.
Wear and Appearance: 8.5/10
Post-10,000 cycles of abrasion testing, the surface texture remained intact, with no dulling or chipping. The Barnyard Gray finish—warm grays with subtle brown undertones—looks premium even after simulated 5 years of use.
Overall Score: 8.8/10
Predicted reliability: 4/5 (residential use). Owner satisfaction trends high for easy upkeep and aesthetics.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) |
| Price per sq. ft. | $3.99 |
| Warranty | 25 years residential |
| Installation | Click-lock floating system |
| Underlayment | None (add separately if needed) |
| Thickness | 5 mm |
| Wear Layer | 20 mil |
| Water Resistance | 100% waterproof |
| Recommended Use | High-traffic residential |
To help you decide, here's how it stacks up against average LVP and premium competitors based on lab tests and specs:
| Feature/Test | Armstrong Timber Bay | Average LVP ($2-3/sq.ft.) | Premium LVP ($5+/sq.ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stain Resistance | Excellent (10/10) | Good (7/10) | Excellent (9.5/10) |
| Scratch Resistance | Very Good (9/10) | Fair (6/10) | Excellent (9.5/10) |
| Fade Resistance | Very Good (9/10) | Good (7/10) | Excellent (10/10) |
| Thickness (mm) | 5 | 4 | 6+ |
| Wear Layer (mil) | 20 | 12 | 30 |
| Warranty (Residential) | 25 years | 15-20 years | Lifetime |
| Price per sq. ft. | $3.99 | $2.50 | $6.50 |
| Ease of Install (1-10) | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9 |
The Armstrong strikes the best balance: premium performance without the premium price tag.
Total time for 200 sq. ft.: 1-2 days solo. Tools needed: tape measure, 1/4" spacers, pull bar, mallet.
Expected lifespan: 15-25 years residential.
Pair with area rugs for style pops.
Enhance your flooring project:
Yes, 100% waterproof core prevents swelling from spills or floods—safe for bathrooms and laundry rooms.
It outperforms in stains/scratches and costs 50-70% less, though hardwood feels more premium underfoot.
Yes, if the old floor is flat and secure. Remove glossy finishes first.
Most retailers offer 30-90 days; check for restocking fees on opened boxes.
Yes, up to 85°F; ensure radiant system compatibility.
Typically 20-25 sq. ft.; order 10% extra for cuts.
Ready to transform your space? This LVP delivers pro results on a budget.
