Luxury Vinyl vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which is Better?

Your floor is arguably the hardest working surface in your home. It must withstand constant foot traffic, pets, spills, dropping heavy items, dirt, water, and much more. Floors seem to be constantly in need of cleaning, and some surfaces require regular maintenance to maintain their durability and style. While flooring may not be at the top of your list when selecting products for a home remodeling project, choosing the right flooring is essential to a stylish, durable, and lasting design.

There are many products to choose from when it comes to flooring, from tile to hardwood, vinyl, laminate, concrete, and more.  Hardwood is always a favorite choice for the natural beauty and warmth it brings to any space in your home. However, it has its downsides, like the fact that it is prone to scratching and not impervious to moisture. Vinyl has grown in popularity as it has become a top luxury choice that can mimic natural surfaces and give the appearance of wood for a lower cost.

What are the differences between these two top flooring choices, and which one is right for your home? We break it down in our latest blog based on key criteria for evaluating flooring selections.

Hardwood

Solid hardwood is a beautiful, natural surface that comes in a range of wood species from classic oak to maple, cherry, walnut, hickory, ash, birch, or pine. There are also softer woods available like bamboo. Each has its own unique appearance, with one-of-a-kind features and colors, and they can all be finished in different glosses and textures or stained to achieve a specific color or to match existing flooring. Engineered wood is an alternative that has a hardwood veneer over layers of plywood.

Hardwood is a luxury product that comes with a higher price tag, requires expertise to install, and a very specific maintenance and cleaning regiment. However, nothing can rival the natural appeal of genuine hardwood floors.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)/Luxury Vinyl Plan (LVP)

Vinyl is a synthetic material that is petroleum based. Today’s luxury vinyl benefits from advances in technology that allow the surface to be printed with an image that very closely imitates a range of natural materials. Luxury vinyl is made up of several layers including a protective wear layer, the printed design layer, a vinyl core, and possibly a backing layer.

Luxury vinyl is typically found in either a tile or plank format. It offers an alternative to hardwood floors and other natural materials at a more reasonable price point in a material that is easier to clean and maintain.

So, which surface is the right choice for your home remodeling project? The first step is to weigh up the pros and cons of each and see how they stack up against your specific needs. In this blog, we will look at the aesthetic value of each material, as well as the available sizes, ease of installation, durability, moisture resistance, cleaning and ongoing maintenance, cost and warranty, and the longevity of your selection.

Determine your top priorities and find the material that meets those requirements. Then start shopping around to find the style and color that will enhance your home for years to come!

Aesthetic

With the latest advances in modern luxury vinyl, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two surfaces at first glance. However, while the latest LVP comes close, hardwood has a unique natural beauty that can’t be beat. Here are how these two choices stack up in terms of aesthetic value.

• Style

Since LVP is printed there is more control over the final appearance of the planks, giving a more uniform appearance, but it also means the design on the planks may repeat throughout your floor area. It can also be designed to mimic any type of wood so you can achieve the look of the most expensive hardwoods for the same cost as any other vinyl plank.

Hardwood flooring on the other hand is a natural material, meaning that the appearance of each plank of wood is unique, so your natural hardwood floor will truly be one-of-a-kind.

• Color

LVP techniques allow it to achieve any color you want, from whitewashed to ebony wood tones, as well as any stained or painted finish. While natural hardwood may not be able to achieve the same range of colors, unfinished hardwood allows you to stain or paint the wood to get the color you want for your home. This also makes it easier to match new hardwood floors to existing floors.

• Texture

Nothing beats the natural textures of hardwood, as well as the textures that can be achieved by applying different finishes to the wood.  The latest LVP technology does come close though, as the top layers can be found in textures to mimic the natural options, which can achieve a similar feel to walking on hardwood.

• Feel underfoot

Wood has a natural warmth, both in terms of appearance and feel, but it is a very hard surface to walk on and can be tough on feet. LVP tends to be a bit softer, with an almost padded feel due to the multiple layers that make up luxury vinyl.

Sizes

Both options come in a range of sizes that should easily meet the requirements of most homes and styles. Vinyl plan typically can be found in widths of 6 up to 9 inches, while hardwood planks usually come in widths up to 10 inches or as narrow as 2 inches. Wood is also cut to measure so it is possible to get wood planks custom sized to your needs.

Ease of Installation

If you are looking for a DIY install option or to minimize the installation costs, then LVP is definitely the best choice. Luxury vinyl usually comes in either a stick down installation method or a snap together option. Either is relatively simple to install, though the click together installation method (or floating installation) is more forgiving. It can be installed over any existing flooring and does not require a perfectly level surface. The other benefit of LVP installation is that it can be completed relatively quickly, which is a bonus when you are eager to complete a home remodel.

Hardwood installation, on the other hand, requires more expertise and time to install. You must prepare the subfloor, cut the wood to fit, and nail it down. You also must take expansion and contraction of this natural material into consideration when installing hardwood flooring, because otherwise your expensive new flooring can buckle and become damaged. Recent advances mean there are some hardwood options that are pre-cut with tongue and groove planks similar to LVP, making it easier to install than traditional hardwood. However, it still requires greater expertise and more time to get it right, and you must ensure the surface underneath is completely even.

Durability

LVP comes with an outer wear layer that enhances its durability and, most importantly, makes it impervious to moisture. While it is very durable for daily use and fairly scratch resistant, it is not invincible! Luxury vinyl can rip or tear when heavy or sharp items are dropped on it, and it is particularly prone to dents under heavy furniture or appliances. The plus side? Vinyl planks are very easy and inexpensive to replace when one gets damaged.

With hardwood flooring, the durability depends in part on the hardness of the wood. However, in general, wood flooring is not the most durable as it is definitely prone to scratching, must be revarnished every few years, and occasionally sanded and refinished. The more use it gets, particularly from kids and pets, or heavy items being moved around, the more scratched up it tends to get. Since it is a natural material, some scratching and wear can be part of the charm as long as you don’t mind this “lived in” look.

Moisture Resistance

When it comes to resisting moisture, there is only one clear winner. LVP can be installed in any room, including high moisture areas like a basement, bathroom, or laundry room, as it is completely waterproof. This tough material will not absorb moisture and therefore will not warp or buckle when exposed to moisture.

Hardwood on the other hand is a porous surface that easily absorbs liquid. It is therefore not suited to high moisture rooms like bathroom designs and can be damaged, warped, or even grow mold when exposed to moisture. It helps to regularly seal hardwood, but this still does not make it fully moisture proof. Still, hardwood floors are a top choice for kitchen designs to achieve a high end look that is timeless, but you must be prepared to commit to the daily and ongoing maintenance to keep it up.

Cleaning and Maintenance

LVP is simple to clean with most products and is very low maintenance. Stick to non-wax cleaners and wet mop to give your luxury vinyl a deeper clean.

With hardwood floors, it is important to keep up with regular, gentle cleaning by sweeping or vacuuming weekly and damp mopping (no wet mopping to avoid damage). Regular cleaning is essential to not only keep the surface clean but also to ensure it is clear of dirt particles that can scratch your floor. Make sure any products you use are specialty wood cleaning products.

Cost and Warranty

Vinyl is definitely the less expensive alternative in comparison to its natural counterpart, though both flooring materials come in a range of pricing options. For vinyl, the typical price range is $4-8 per square foot. Hardwood on the other hand runs $6.50-20 per square foot, which largely depends on the wood variety. Quality LVP also has the distinct benefit of coming with a warranty that ranges from 15 years to a lifetime.

Longevity

LVP is a hardwearing surface can last for years and achieve a classic look that won’t go out of style. It does not have the same long-lasting appeal or positive effect on resale value as hardwood, but it is an excellent choice for a beautiful style at a more affordable price.

Even though hardwood is easily scratched, it can be revarnished every few years and refinished multiple times. This means that, although hardwood floors are more expensive and prone to daily wear and tear, they can last for decades, possibly even a lifetime. If hardwood floors are your dream surface, you have the budget for it, and are willing to maintain it, then it is a worthwhile, lasting investment.

Both surfaces can be protected, and the life of the flooring extended with careful cleaning and maintenance. Add area rugs to high traffic spaces to protect from foot traffic, pets, and spills.

Which flooring material is right for you? Carefully consider your family’s needs, your budget, and your home’s style, as well as how long you plan to stay in your home. Then review your requirements against the key criteria for each to determine which one will enhance your home remodel and your lifestyle.