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At Trademark Flooring, we understand that choosing the right floor for your home or business is a big decision. Squaring up against the timeless beauty of hardwood flooring is the versatile luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which is stylish and rugged. Let's look at both their advantages and disadvantages, and let you judge what you feel is best for your space. Prepare to find out which one will win the hardwood vs. LVP battle!
Understanding Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
LVP is a modern miracle that offers waterproof, long-lasting protection as an alternative to classic hardwood flooring. LVP is made with PVC and advanced manufacturing techniques that help it look uncannily like natural wood. Unlike older vinyl products, LVP has a core and multiple layers; its construction resists dents and surface wear from impacts and scratching.
The two most common versions of LVP are solid polymer core (SPC) and wood composite core. SPC is superior in overall durability, but WPC provides a slightly softer underfoot experience. Both types come with a protective wear layer that stops the surface from wearing out, while the top layer is designed to mimic the texture and look of natural wood, along with knots, whorls, and grooves. Unlike earlier imaging systems, 3D imaging can provide LVP with the true colors and patterns of hardwood, so it looks just like natural hardwood.
Cost Comparison
One of the most compelling reasons to pick LVP over hardwood is pricing. On average, hardwood flooring runs from $4 to $14 per square foot, depending on the species and finish you have selected. This is added to the fact that professional installation for hardwood can be as expensive as the floor itself, making hardwood quite an investment. In 2022, U.S. hardwood flooring sales were $2.41 billion, a decline from previous years due to increased competition from wood-look alternatives like LVP (Mordor Intelligence) (Floor Covering News).
Meanwhile, LVP is just plain cheap overall; it's installed at prices ranging from $4 to $8 a square foot. Installing LVP is also easier, and much quicker with DIY, so less money will be spent on labor. If you require professional installation, it costs, on average, between $1 and $5 per square foot. One of the biggest draws to LVP is its price point, which makes it attractive to those seeking a wood-like look without wanting to spend big bucks.
Installation
LVP also leads to the show during the installation process. Hardwood is hard to install and very labor-intensive, making it unsuitable for DIYers. This increases the final cost. Accurate measuring, cutting, fitting, and potential subfloor preparation are all required. Hardwood floors require that the temperature and humidity of a room be properly balanced before installation, thus increasing the time it takes for this process (Grand View Research).
In contrast, LVP is more straightforward to install. Most LVP products are done with a click-and-lock system; they can be quickly and easily installed and are a DIY lover's dream. They can be laid over existing floors without applying adhesives. It saves time and money for the installation process because it is quicker and less labor-intensive than hardwood, at least in the professional way.
Moisture Resistance
In terms of water tolerance, LVP takes the lead. The moisture-sensitive kinds of flooring materials, such as wood, will tend to get damaged, warp, and buckle over years of use. That is why these places are not good for hardwood, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, where there is moisture.
LVP is practically impervious to moisture and waterproof, making it ideal for any room inside the home, particularly the most likely locations with high moisture. Its water resistance implies that in any hostile conditions, LVP will maintain its beauty and, accordingly, maintain its structure throughout (Wood Flooring Mag).
Maintenance
Maintenance is an important criterion for choosing flooring. Despite its beauty, hardwood requires regular maintenance to sustain its appearance. This includes resealing every few years, polishing, and periodic sanding and refinishing. These are time-consuming tasks and further increase the cost of maintaining the hardwood floor.
The LVP is easier to maintain in comparison. It demands only cleaning with a moist mop at regular intervals and through mild cleansers. Unlike hardwood flooring, this material needs no resealing or refinishing and can really save you from all those troubles. This ease in the maintenance process allows household owners to have the beauty of the wood without a rigid maintenance schedule (NWFA).
Environmental Impact
Many homeowners are concerned about flooring materials' environmental impact. While hardwood floors are composed of natural products, they can be environmentally friendly if they are sustainably sourced. Most manufacturers carry out ethical harvesting, and there are numerous cases when reclaimed wood floors provide a chance to recycle and reuse already existing materials.
LVP, though with purely synthetic materials, could indeed be environmentally friendly. Some LVP products are constructed using recycled content and designed to be recyclable. Also, most LVP products have no toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and have minimal off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which further makes indoor air quality better. But note that the LVP manufacturing process can be more energy-intensive than manufacturing hardwood floors (Grand View Research) (NWFA).
Durability
Durability is key to the longevity of your flooring. With proper care, hardwood can last for decades to even a century. That said, it scratches, dents, and fades easily from sunlight. It can be refinished to restore an appearance, but this increases the maintenance requirements.
LVP is designed to last. It is, therefore, suitable for any home, especially those with dogs, kids, or heavy traffic. Its many layers and strong core make it resistant to scratches, dents, and impacts. LVP does not match the physical durability of hardwood, yet it is long-lived and durable, hence cost-effective in the long term due to its low maintenance (Floor Covering News) (Grand View Research).
Style and Aesthetic
Both hardwood and LVP can be found in countless different style options. Hardwood floors are appreciated for their timeless beauty, along with notable differences; no two boards look the same, for a natural look that adds character and warmth to every room. The demand for natural and lighter colors is increasing, with white oak being particularly popular (Wood Flooring Mag) (NWFA).
Although LVP has come a long way in emulating what actually looks and feels like true hardwood, it uses advanced imaging technology to simulate natural grain patterns and textures of the wood, making a realistic alternative. LVP also has a much broader range of colors and designs than natural wood, so homeowners have greater opportunities to help refine and personalize their designs.
Application
How and where your chosen flooring will be installed is a critical variable. Hardwood floors are better in low-moisture places like living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. LVP, with its resistance to water and durability capabilities, is best for almost every application. It can be used both in residential and commercial applications, including kitchens, baths, basements, and high-traffic areas. As it adapts well, it becomes a perfect fit for most living spaces (Grand View Research).
The difference between luxury vinyl plank and hardwood flooring has narrowed down to your tastes and demands. Hardwood floors do offer timeless aesthetics, increased home value, and are incredibly durable, even though they require large, heavy upfront costs as well as expensive, ongoing maintenance. LVP is low-maintenance and long-lasting. It also greatly resists dampness.
At Trademark Flooring, we want to help you make the right decision for your home or business. Whether you prefer oak, with its timeless beauty, or the adaptable durability of LVP, we have the knowledge and materials to satisfy your flooring needs. Visit us on the web at trademark-flooring.com to see all that we have to offer in terms of flooring.