I recently found myself thrown into shopping for new flooring after a pretty severe leak in my kitchen. Several days of flooding and dehumidifiers led to pulling up the existing laminate floorboards to be replaced with a higher quality, more durable material. After a little research, I narrowed my options to luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and engineered hardwood. Purchasing floors can feel like a long-term commitment, so I knew it was important to be fully equipped with the knowledge to help me make the right decision for my home. In going through the selection process, I learned many homeowners debate luxury vinyl plank (LVP) vs. engineered hardwood flooring, and there are pros and cons to understand and consider before finalizing your decision. I am sharing the information I gathered throughout my experience researching both flooring options, and which type of flooring I chose to install in my home.
What is Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is a type of vinyl floor covering that is often designed to mimic the look and feel of real hardwood flooring. As with any type of flooring, there are varying levels of quality and price options for LVP. Quality LVP flooring is considered extremely durable and is typically advertised as being waterproof. The floorboards likely to have grooves and patterns on the surface, much like engineered hardwood. The boards are commonly designed with “click-and-lock” technology, making it a “DIY-friendly” option. This means the boards should fit together without the help of a professional installer. Because of these characteristics, LVP can be a great option for a variety of spaces including basements and homes with pets.
Engineered hardwood is a modern alternative to traditional, solid hardwood flooring. It has become increasingly popular among homeowners who prefer a more natural wood material on their floors than LVP can offer. It differs from traditional hardwood in that it’s not fully solid wood, but is made of multiple layers of plywood with a thin top layer of natural wood. Some homeowners are drawn to engineered hardwood because it’s often viewed as a middle-of-the-road option between solid hardwood and LVP. It’s durable and comes at a lower price point than solid hardwood, but the top layer of natural wood satisfies homeowners who want the “real” wood look. While engineered hardwood is often advertised as being water resistant, it is not fully waterproof like LVP.
Key Differences to Consider When Comparing LVP and Engineered Hardwood
Price
1Prior to researching or requesting price estimates, I fully expected engineered hardwood to be considerably more expensive than LVP. I had seen LVP priced around $3-$4 per square foot at big retail stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot and assumed engineered hardwood would be closer to $7-$8 per square foot. I tried to prepare myself for some level of sticker-shock in advance of going to a local flooring store, anticipating a locally-based retailer would be even pricier. When I did finally speak to someone at a local store, I was surprised to learn that some engineered hardwood options were comparable in price to some of the high-end LVP options. Despite this, my assumption on the price difference between LVP and hardwood was still accurate. It was explained to me that although the price per square foot for both engineered hardwood and LVP can be similar, hardwood tends to ultimately be more expensive due to the cost of installation. LVP is much less-expensive to install than hardwood, meaning even though the flooring materials may cost the same, the price of installation will make hardwood a more expensive flooring option, overall.
If price is a deciding factor, LVP will likely be the more cost-effective option. When selecting an LVP, I recommend visiting a local retailer that might offer different brands and styles beyond what you can find in a big box retail store. As I mentioned, I expected local flooring companies to be more expensive than a store like Home Depot or Floor & Decor. However, I discovered a local flooring company near me that carried an LVP that was not only comparable in price to a large retail brand, it was also a better quality, more realistic-looking LVP. The local flooring company also provided installation , so I would not have to coordinate that on my own. In my opinion, a slightly more expensive and higher-quality LVP from a company that also provides full installation and a wealth of knowledge is worth the price.
Return on Investment
If you consider your current home a long-term dwelling with no plans to move for many years, a return on investment may not be the most important factor to you. In that case, I recommend selecting the flooring that appeals most to your decor style and lifestyle. However, if you anticipate selling your home in the not-so-distant future, it is beneficial to consider which flooring option will hold its value the longest and impact the selling price of your home. In speaking with flooring experts, it was explained to me that hardwood floors will almost always boost the value of your home, whereas LVP has not proven to have a significant impact on home value. But, that does not mean selecting LVP is always bad decision for homeowners; several factors are at play here.
For example, if you live in a detached home and are looking to boost its value, hardwood flooring might be the best choice. Alternatively, if you live in a condo or townhome, where the selling price could hit a ceiling based on the comparable surrounding units, you may not see a return on investment if you spend significantly more on hardwood.
Additionally, factors like pets, children, and location of the space you are covering may also impact your decision. This means if hardwood floors in a basement are not highly desirable, choosing LVP in that space may not result in lower offers from buyers when you sell.
Location of Installation
As I stated above, the location of the flooring in the home may likely sway your decision on the type of flooring you choose. While engineered hardwood does contain some materials that can tolerate a limited amount of moisture, it is still not as durable as LVP when exposed to water. Most LVP considered fully water-proof and is often installed above an additional moisture barrier. Therefore, if you’re selecting floor covering for an area of the home like a kitchen, bathroom, or basement, LVP can give you some peace of mind in the event of an unexpected leak, water spillage, or pet accident.
Glue vs Floating
Engineered hardwood is traditionally glued in place, where LVP is not glued, which is considered “floating.” If you are wondering why this matters to the homeowner, there are two main concerns related to installation that could impact your decision.
First is the sound the floor makes underfoot. A floor glued in place will be solid, firm, and quiet when walking across it. It likely won’t make any noise at all under the shifting of moving feet, especially on ground-level floors in homes with a slab foundation. A floating floor will slightly bounce or feel more spongy and will sound hollow when walking across the room. For homeowners who are sensitive to the noise of floors, rugs can lessen the hollow sound of LVP, but hardwood will most likely perform better in this area.
Second is who will physically lay the flooring. If you are in search of a DIY-friendly option, a floating LVP can be a simpler job for a homeowner to do without professional help. While the process of gluing and placing hardwood is possible to do without professional help, it’s more labor-intensive and requires a certain level of skill and familiarity with flooring. If you have never laid flooring, LVP will certainly be a much easier project than hardwood.
Wear Layers
The wear layer is not a component I was familiar with before talking to a professional about LVP and engineered hardwood. I knew solid hardwood and some engineered hardwood could be refinished, but I had never considered the different levels of wear layers for LVP.
Since LVP cannot be “refinished” like wood, the wear layer is an element of LVP the homeowner should take into account. The wear layer for LVP flooring is a clear, protective seal or covering over each of the floorboards that is designed to prevent scratches, stains, and other types of wear common to floors. Wear layers are measured in “mils,” and generally run on a scale of 6 mils to 22 mils, with 6 being the thinnest, least protective option.
It was explained to me that when selecting an LVP for a residential home, the recommended wear layer is between 12-20 mils. The flooring expert suggested not going below 12 mils, as it won’t hold up as well as a thicker wear layer. In fact, the particular store I visited did not carry any options lower than 12 mils.
What type of flooring did I choose for my home?
Stay tuned for an update on the flooring I chose for my home. I will be meeting with the flooring expert this month to make a decision and will share here as soon as I sign the contract!
