Two currently popular options for flooring are Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and the timeless hardwood flooring. Which is best for your situation depends primarily on a few factors; your lifestyle, budget, and how long you plan to stay in your home.
If you have a busy household with kids and pets, LVP is a great choice due to its waterproof nature and high scratch resistance. It’s tough wear layer handles scratches and spills better than most wood. It’s not indestructible, but I can say from personal experience that it holds up to a 90lb dog and 4 kids better than most hardwood finishes. Of course, your “mileage may very” so be sure to research warranty information and read reviews when selecting a product. Depending on the specific product, LVP can be expected to last 15-25 years. If an individual plank is damaged, it is possible to replace that plank, versus hardwoods where you can replace an individual board, but then must refinish a large area of hardwoods to have the repair blend seamlessly. LVP is also waterproof, making it a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where wood may warp. This does not mean it makes a waterproof floor as I’ve had some clients misunderstand. Water will still leak through it to below; it just won’t damage the LVP itself. Beyond performance, it is also a great choice for DIY. Many products use a “click-lock” system that doesn’t require glue or nails, just a saw. That could potentially save thousands in labor costs. Just be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation. LVP is a great choice if you are on a limited budget but want a high-end look for a large area. It is deceptively simple to install, but failure to follow guidelines could lead to problems down the road (ask me how I know…)
Hardwoods on the other hand are a “once-in-a-lifetime” investment that adds the natural beauty of unique grain and warmth of real wood. They are a larger financial investment but will add measurable equity to your home. Real estate studies show 54% of buyers are willing to pay more for homes with hardwood floors. Because of their ability to be refinished multiple times (to refresh a dull and scratched finish or just to change the color) they have a lifespan of 50-100 years. For all their beauty and longevity, solid hardwoods should be avoided in basements or bathrooms due to their susceptibility to moisture problems. For the real wood look, an engineered hardwood (real wood veneer over a plywood or High-Density Fiberboard core) would be a better choice. The disadvantage to engineered hardwood is that due to the thin veneer layer, you may only be able to refinish them one time, if that, before sanding through the veneer layer.
If environmental impact is a concern, while it is true hardwoods are made from trees, they are a renewable and natural resource. On the other hand, LVP is synthetic and harder to recycle.
Which one is the better choice? Both are great products and it really comes down to a personal decision based on your lifestyle and budget. Personally, I prefer real hardwoods but have LVP in my house. We made that decision based on cost and the ability to install a large area a bit at a time and not having to relocate all the furniture at one time to be able to finish the floors all at once. Granted, we could have avoided that issue by using prefinished hardwoods, but again, cost was a factor as well.
If you are looking to replace your floors, we can refer to you some great flooring contractors in our area. Of course, if you have more renovations to do as well, we’ll be happy to handle the flooring replacement as part of the bigger picture for you!