Is it cheaper to refinish hardwood floors or replace with vinyl?

Author: Hillard Zieme  |  Last update: Friday, June 17, 2022

Expense. Price is usually the first thing people consider when it comes to refinishing or replacing a hardwood floor. The truth is, it is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it.

Should I remove old hardwood before installing vinyl plank?

LVT planks have an incredibly realistic wood look, and vinyl flooring care and maintenance is a breeze. Here's something even better. If you've been graced with authentic hardwood flooring, it isn't even necessary for you to remove it before installing LVT!

Should I replace wood floors with vinyl plank flooring?

The one area where vinyl floors outshine hardwood floors in terms of durability is moisture resistance. Vinyl floors are virtually impervious to moisture damage, whereas hardwood floors will have to be completely replaced if they sustain major water damage.

Can you put vinyl flooring over hardwood floors?

Vinyl is a very versatile material that is well suited to go over hardwood. It stands up well to heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, dirt, and soil, making it a great flooring solution for just about any room or setting with less maintenance than hardwood.

Which is more expensive vinyl or wood flooring?

Buying and installing hardwood flooring is more expensive than vinyl flooring. The price of hardwood flooring today could be between $5 and $10 per sq.

REPLACE OR REFINSH YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS?

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of vinyl floors?

On average, it costs between $1,000 and $12,000 to install vinyl flooring in a 1,000-square-foot space. This price is for materials only, and it does not include labor.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include:
  • Cannot be repaired.
  • Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
  • No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
  • Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
  • Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

Is it cheaper to refinish hardwood floors or replace with laminate?

The truth is, it is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it. When replacing, you must consider the cost of the new wood as well as the installation, plus the cost to haul your old wood floors away.

Can hardwood floors be refinished without sanding?

Whether you have traditional hardwoods, prefinished wood, or laminated wood, restoring without sanding is a practical solution. Though you can sand your traditional hardwoods, it's difficult or even impossible to sand prefinished or laminated wood floors.

Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?

Although vinyl plank flooring is well-known to be waterproof, it does not mean that liquids can seep through the cracks, grooves, or edges and become trapped under the planks, allowing mold to grow underneath your floors.

Is luxury vinyl plank cheaper than hardwood?

Costs. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and planks cost a lot less than real wood, with glue-down being the most cost-effective materials over floating LVP. Including installation, LVP prices range from $2 to $7 per square foot.

Does vinyl plank flooring decrease home value?

You should also keep in mind that vinyl plank and tile flooring might not increase the value of your home as much as laminate flooring. However, vinyl flooring can still make all the difference in how long your floors will last, which could be vital as we head into a more competitive real estate market.

Does luxury vinyl plank increase home value?

When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.

Can you put new flooring over old flooring?

If the current flooring is fixed to the subfloor and in good condition, you may be able to apply a new flooring over top. However, if the there are broken or worn parts of the current flooring, or if the subfloor itself needs some work, you will need to remove what's there and start from the bottom.

What kind of flooring can you put over hardwood?

Laminate flooring can be installed directly over hardwood, often with no preparation necessary. If your laminate has a built-in underlayer, you may install it right on top of the hardwood.

Can you put luxury vinyl over engineered hardwood?

Engineered hardwood can be used as a suitable subfloor for vinyl plank flooring provided it is not glued to a concrete subfloor. Since engineered hardwood is typically uniform and does not have any major gaps, the vinyl plank flooring can float over it without a problem.

Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished?

If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project ...

What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?

Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.

How long do you have to stay off hardwood floors after refinishing?

How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on.

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for installation of 1000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.

Is it worth it to refinish hardwood floors?

In almost every case it is preferable to refinish rather than replace hardwood floors. Part of the appeal of hardwood is that it lasts so long. A quality hardwood floor can be sanded down and refinished at least six times, and up to ten times before you need to replace it.

What is the lifespan of vinyl flooring?

Vinyl floors can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on their quality and how they're installed and maintained.

What is the lifespan of luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic. Additionally, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains.

What is better laminate or vinyl?

Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.

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