Hardwood vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank
* From left to right; A living room with Hardwood floors. A living room with Luxury Vinyl Plank floors.
When it comes to flooring, the choices can feel endless! Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Hardwood flooring have different pros and cons, which oftentimes makes the decision challenging. If you are on the fence deciding which product is best for you, look no further, we are here to help. We have compiled a list of differences as well as pros and cons, which is key in making the best choice for you and your lifestyle.
Aesthetic Appeal: What is your style?
Hardwood is timeless and brings warmth to a room. It never goes out of style, though it has been around for hundreds of years. Hardwood flooring has that look and feel that is very hard to compete with. No one plank is ever the same, so don’t try playing matching pairs with your planks. Hardwood has plenty of beautiful choices, regardless of if you favor a timeless White Oak or a unique Hickory.
* From left to right; A bedroom with White Oak Hardwood floors. A kitchen with Hickory Hardwood floors.
On the other hand, LVP has advanced significantly recently. LVP is known to have textures and patterns that look just like real wood. LVP can also be embossed in register, meaning that the texture follows the exact pattern of the real wood. LVP also is available in many more unique shade options than hardwood. So don’t worry if your teenage daughter wants to do black LVP in her room, we have that here!
Cost Analysis: What is your budget?
LVP costs a lot less than real hardwood. So if you are looking for a low cost budget option LVP is a great choice. LVP can be printed to mimic any kind of wood. So whether you go with a LVP that looks more exotic or conventional, you can be expecting to pay around the same price. So even if you have a more unique or eccentric style, fear not! There are hundreds of options to choose from that won’t break the bank.
Hardwood on the other hand can cost a pretty penny. Price depends on thickness, plank width, and other factors. Though hardwood does have the longest life span which makes it an ideal long term investment. Hardwood can be also refinished which makes it worth the price in the long run. Refinishing basically means sanding and then applying a new coat of stain, offering a brand new fresh finish to your floors.
Durability and Maintenance Face-off: Who does your home consist of?
Does your home consist of a few active kids as well as some animal friends? Then LVP might be the way to go. LVP is 100% waterproof, as well as scratch and dent resistant. There is no need to worry if your kids spill some lemonade on the floor while preparing for their lemonade stand or if your puppy has an accident during potty training. You can rest assured your floors will be just fine after a quick clean up.
* From left to right; A child coloring. A child playing and making a mess on the LVP floors. A kitten walking on LVP floors.
In contrast, Hardwood is more prone to scratches, dents, or damage from moisture. Though dents, dings, and scratches do add character and a rustic appeal. There are also ways to choose a hardwood that might be a bit more scratch resistant than others. Generally a wood that scores higher on the Janka Hardness scale and a thicker wear layer are stronger. Also if you go with a Urethane with Aluminum Oxide finish it is considered more protected. Lastly, you can choose a distressed or wire brushed textured hardwood to more easily camouflage any scratches.(Garrison Collection, n.d.). Hardwood floors are known to last for years on end. Hardwood floors can also be refinished to help with scratches. Refinishing can be done approximately every 10 years. Engineered can be refinished 1-2 times, depending on the thickness, and Solid can be refinished multiple times. Comparable with LVP, once hardwood is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
Maintenance: How much effort do you want to put in?
LVP is a piece of cake to take care of. To clean you can sweep or vacuum any number of times, mop with a very small amount of warm water, and/or wash with a non-abrasive cleaner containing no minerals that doesn’t need to be rinsed. Also make sure to never pull hefty furniture and instead lift or use sliders. Super easy!
On the other hand hardwood is a bit more high maintenance. Dusting daily is recommended to help prevent scratches. Dusting removes dirt from the floor, so it isn’t dragged on the wood when people walk around. Using microfiber helps draw up more dust and allergens. You can also sweep or dry mop. If sweeping, make sure to use a broom with soft bristles. Vacuuming weekly with a hardwood safe vacuum is recommended to get all debris off the floor,. You can do occasional mopping with a specific wood cleaner used to treat stains that is made specifically for your floors finish, be careful not to use water or steam on your floors as it can be dangerous to them!
Resale: Are you looking to resell your home one day?
If you are looking to resell, hardwood floors could be the winner! Hardwood can greatly increase the value of your home. According to remodeling expert Alex Biyevetskiynew, wood floors can raise the sales price of your home as much as 2.5% when done right! (Evans, 2017). Even if you aren't looking to resell then rest assured you will still benefit from some beautiful new hardwood floors. According to the National Association of Realtors Research Group 90% of people that have installed new wood flooring have a greater desire to be home since completing their project. (Yun et al., 2022)
On the contrary, there aren’t specific statistics showing ROI (Return On Investment) for LVP. USA Today says in a survey of 1558 people, 12.2% would choose LVP and 48% would choose hardwood. (Sandford, 2024). Although, in a starter home, buyers might look for an option like LVP, since it is resistant and is good for a home with kids and pets. Hardwood, especially expensive hardwood, might be less preferred because it is more likely to be damaged. When thinking of reselling, LVP is not as likely to be seen as an asset, but many potential buyers will be drawn to the advantages (Lincolnberg Master Builder, 2022).
Still not sure on whether to go with LVP or Hardwood?
Don’t worry, you are in great hands! Our team of professionals at David’s Flooring has years of experience in helping our customers choose the right flooring! Contact us and we will gladly help you choose the best fit for you. We offer free in-home estimates where we can bring you samples and do a consultation while answering all your questions. You can also visit our website David's Flooring of Seattle LLC to see the brands we carry for both LVP and Hardwood. We cannot wait to help you find your dream floors!