Is luxury vinyl better than hardwood?

Author: Dr. Bell Schroeder  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Better Investment
Today's technology allows for luxury vinyl planks to genuinely simulate the look and texture of real hardwood floors. From the lower costs to the uncomplicated maintenance to the waterproof capabilities, some luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile benefits simply have real hardwood beat.

What is better luxury vinyl or wood flooring?

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) vs.

Hardwood costs a bit more than LVT, but maintenance costs are similar. LVT and hardwood flooring are equally durable, stable and suitable for many commercial environments. LVT and hardwood can be used together effectively, but LVT should be used over hardwood in areas prone to moisture.

Should you replace hardwood with luxury vinyl?

If you want to be able to refinish it in 10-20 years, go with hardwood. Hardwood is more upscale and more permanent, hence the higher price. Another way to look at it is: If you want value now, choose luxury vinyl. If you want value later, go with hardwood.

What are the negatives of luxury vinyl flooring?

Vinyl is a soft material: One of its advantages is also its greatest weakness: its lightness. Heavy furniture can dent and mark vinyl floors, while sharp objects can pierce the upper layers. Discolouration: LVT flooring can suffer from sun damage if laid in conservatories or near south-facing doors/windows.

Do high end homes use LVP?

LVP flooring is waterproof, less expensive, and faster and easier to install than wood or tile. Even the high-end residential market discovered LVP floors last year. It works in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms as well as living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and anywhere in the house except for stairs.

Hardwood Vs Luxury Vinyl Plank

Why choose LVP over hardwood?

Most would argue that luxury vinyl plank flooring is a better choice in terms of durability. Vinyl plank flooring is usually both water resistant and scratch resistant. Especially the high quality options.

Does luxury vinyl flooring lower home value?

While luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way from its creation and has increased in durability and visual appeal, unfortunately vinyl may decrease your resale value in the long run. It's important to recognize that while you may spend less on vinyl vs.

Why do people not like vinyl flooring?

Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.

Why not to get vinyl flooring?

For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.

What is the lifespan of luxury vinyl flooring?

In general, you can rely on vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 and 25 years. A lot of it comes down to how well you look after the flooring, but there are some other factors.

Can you tell the difference between vinyl and hardwood flooring?

Feeling your floor is perhaps the best way to determine what material it is. Hardwood flooring feels like … well, wood. On the other hand, vinyl flooring feels more synthetic than natural hardwood. Look at how the floor was installed.

Can you put heavy furniture on luxury vinyl flooring?

While it will have no problem withstanding normal household objects, specialized pieces like pianos and heavy appliances like refrigerators can be too much to handle. According to Home Inspection Insider, a single vinyl plank can hold up to 500 pounds.

What flooring increases 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.

Is luxury vinyl flooring worth the money?

Pro: LVP Is Affordable

Plus, luxury vinyl flooring is much cheaper to maintain and keep clean, unlike carpet that harbors dirt, dust, and other disgusting things and will require replacement more often. And, even more, money savings can be appreciated if able to install right on top of an existing floor.

Why is luxury vinyl flooring so popular?

Luxury Vinyl Tiles are durable. LVT tiles contain plasticizers that do not break down over time, making it tough against damage.

Is vinyl flooring going out of style?

Will the sheet vinyl flooring trend last in 2022 and beyond? For sure, you're going to see sheet vinyl making a big come-back in the years to come. It's durable, easy to install, and versatile enough to come in tons of styles, patterns, and colors.

What can ruin vinyl flooring?

Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Don't use bleach as an overall vinyl floor cleaner. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches.

Is luxury vinyl plank noisy?

In addition to varying levels of product quality, another possible pitfall is sound transfer. While LVT doesn't have the same issues as laminate flooring, or even ceramic and hardwood, it's still louder than carpet-and LVT is often installed in areas traditionally covered with carpet.

Does luxury vinyl look fake?

Some LVT even has a texture that resembles real wood. High-quality LVT goes one step further to ensure your final installation looks exceptionally realistic: It's manufactured with a variety of patterns, so not every vinyl plank is going to look identical.

Which is better vinyl plank or engineered hardwood?

At a minimum, LVP flooring offers water resistance. However, many LVP floors go a step further and deliver 100% waterproofing. So, if you're terribly concerned about water damage, LVP may be the better option. Engineered hardwood flooring offers better moisture resistance than solid hardwood flooring.

How much is luxury vinyl flooring compared to hardwood flooring?

On average, hardwood flooring costs between $8 – $15 per square foot while luxury vinyl tile flooring costs $2-8 per square foot. What many people don't consider, however, is the fact that there are lifetime costs associated with hardwood flooring that don't occur when LVT is used.

What color flooring is best for resale?

Greige and white oak are two of the most popular choices for hardwood flooring when it comes to house resale. They provide timeless elegance and neutrality, making them ideal for any home.

Does luxury vinyl flooring scratch easily?

The excellent scratch resistance you'll find in LVP flooring comes from a protective wear layer that also protects against stains, scuffs, dents, and other forms of daily wear. It's the perfect option for busy rooms, especially with pets and children in the home.

What is the difference between vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl flooring?

Luxury vinyl has seams between tiles or planks and so it is possible for water (though exceeding rare when installed by a professional) to seep through, giving standard sheet vinyl a very narrow edge over luxury vinyl for total water resistance. Both tolerate normal heat, such as direct exposure to sunlight.

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