When it comes to choosing between LVP or hardwood flooring it’s as tough as getting a burger with cheese or without. They both are attractive, both have lots of pros and the only con is that hardwood is more expensive.
Yep — “Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) vs. Hardwood” is one of the biggest ongoing search battles in flooring because homeowners want the look of wood but are weighing:
1. Durability- Will this flooring handle my children, husband, cats, and/or dogs like a pro?
- LVP – Scratch, dent, and water-resistant. Great for pets, kids, and high-traffic.
- Hardwood – Can scratch or dent more easily, but can be sanded and refinished multiple times.
Let’s talk about scratching for a moment. Did you know a woman's high heel puts MORE PRESSURE ON FLOORING than an elephant’s foot? This fun fact is brought to you by my husband, Chase, who likes to tell me this when I strut thru our home in my high heels. When I say pressure I mean pounds of force per square inch pressure.
When flooring sample boards say they are scratch resistant this means the surface has been designed or treated to make it harder for scratches to form from everyday wear — but it does not mean scratch proof.
For example: If you drag furniture over the floor without moving pads YOU WILL MORE LIKELY get scratches.
In conclusion everyone should treat their floors like they own a flooring store and treat it like a baby! We clean it with special cleaner and we don’t hurt it with furniture.
2. Cost
- LVP – Usually $2–$5 per sq. ft. for material.
- Hardwood – $5–$10+ per sq. ft. for material; installation is more labor-intensive and expensive.
WHY DID I JUST GET A QUOTE HIGHER ON LVP THAN HARDWOOD?
Some premium LVP brands price close to mid-range hardwood because of advanced texture embossing, thicker wear layers, or waterproof cores.
Whole project pricing – If you compare installed cost for budget hardwood vs. premium LVP, the LVP project could come out higher.
3. Resale Value
- LVP – Improves home appeal but typically doesn’t add the same perceived luxury as real hardwood.
- Hardwood – Considered a premium, value-boosting feature in real estate listings.
LVP is starting to come out with flooring that is very difficult to notice it’s LVP not hardwood from a photo or even in person.
Hardwood has a natural and non-repeating pattern; every board is slightly different because it’s cut from a tree. You may see knots, mineral streaks, or color shifts that feel organic.
That makes it more expensive in the flooring industry, but don’t count LVP out yet because the industry is ever-evolving and some lines have realistic textures and beveling just give them more time and it’ll be even trickier to tell them apart.
In conclusion it’s UP TO YOU!!! If you always wanted hardwood flooring then get the hardwood. If you want to flip a home and like the hardwood look, but not price then get LVP. Have a family and lots of pets that inevitably potty or get sick on your floor then get LVP or Hardwood. My advice to my customers is that messes will be made on floors it just depends on how long it sits there. If you spill water on hardwood floors it’s OKAY, but clean it up quickly- don’t let it sit there for hours. You spill water on LVP you have a longer period before you need to clean it up, but CLEAN IT UP!
I personally put hardwood in my home and I love the look and feel, but if I was to remodel another home it’ll be a coin toss because LVP and Hardwood are starting to become more like identical twins instead of siblings.
Ready to get started with your luxury vinyl or hardwood project? Contact us (479) 344-3976, stop by our showroom or click here. One of our experts will reach out to you!
