
When selecting a floor type for the first time, the choices may be overwhelming. From traditional hardwood to modern laminate, the options are vast and varied. However, two of the most popular choices among homeowners today are luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring and engineered hardwood. These flooring types offer unique benefits and aesthetic appeal, making them popular options for various spaces.
However, before you finally decide on one, you must learn the differences in their distinctions and their respective pros and cons. This knowledge will let you effectively weigh which flooring best suits your home’s personal preferences.
What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is a type of resilient flooring that mimics actual hardwood, stone, or ceramic. It has multiple layers, including a protective top layer, a design layer with a high-resolution image, and a sturdy composite core, often with additional backing for stability and comfort.
LVF is known for its durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial settings. It is available in a variety of styles, including planks and tiles, providing versatility in design options.
Pros and Cons of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Before diving into the specifics of luxury vinyl flooring, you must understand its composition and characteristics that contribute to its growing popularity. With insights into its advantages and disadvantages, you’ll be better equipped to compare it with engineered hardwood. Below are the pros and cons of luxury vinyl flooring to see how it stacks up against its counterpart:
Pros
- Durability. Luxury vinyl flooring is extremely tough and can withstand significant wear and tear. It is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and is resistant to stains, scratches, and dents, making it suitable for homes with pets and children.
- Water Resistance. Many luxury vinyl flooring products are water-resistant or waterproof, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. This characteristic also makes it easy to clean and maintain, as spills can be wiped away without causing damage.
- Affordability. Unlike natural materials like hardwood or stone, luxury vinyl flooring is more affordable while providing a high-end look.
- Aesthetic Versatility. LVF comes in a vast array of colors, patterns, and textures. It can realistically replicate the look of wood, stone, or ceramic, allowing for a wide range of design options for personal tastes and home decor.
- Comfort. The vinyl material provides a softer feeling underfoot than harder surfaces like wood or tile. Some products also include additional backing layers for increased comfort and sound absorption.
- Ease of Installation. Various installation options (such as click-lock systems, peel-and-stick, or glue-down) make luxury vinyl flooring relatively easy for DIY homeowners to install without needing professional assistance.
- Low Maintenance. Besides regular sweeping and occasional mopping, luxury vinyl flooring requires minimal maintenance. It does not need waxing or refinishing, unlike some natural flooring options.
Cons
- Environmental Impact. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic type. PVC production and disposal can have environmental consequences, contributing to pollution and waste.
- Potential for Fading. Constant exposure to direct sunlight can cause some luxury vinyl floors to fade over time. It’s important to consider this factor if the flooring is installed in areas with large windows or glass doors.
- Subfloor Imperfections. LVF is flexible, which means it can sometimes conform to the imperfections of an uneven subfloor. Proper subfloor preparation is needed to avoid these issues, which can add to installation cost and time.
- Resale Value. While luxury vinyl plank flooring can improve the home’s appeal, it generally does not add as much to property resale value as natural materials like hardwood.
- Chemical Sensitivity. Some vinyl floors can be sensitive to harsh chemicals in certain cleaning products, which may cause discoloration or damage. Using appropriate cleaners is essential to maintain the floor’s appearance.
- Limited Repair Options. If a section of the luxury vinyl flooring becomes damaged, the individual plank or tile must be swapped. This may require more effort compared to simply refinishing engineered hardwood flooring.
- Feel Underfoot. Some usually prefer the feel of natural wood, stone, or ceramic tiles. While LVF is comfortable underfoot, it may not have the same solid, natural feel that some homeowners desire.
What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Engineered hardwood is a type of flooring comprising a core layer of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) and a top layer of real wood veneer. This construction combines the natural beauty of hardwood with enhanced stability and resistance to moisture and temperature changes.
Unlike solid hardwood floors, which consist of a single piece of wood, engineered hardwood is less prone to expansion and contraction, making it viable in a variety of environments, including basements and areas with fluctuating humidity levels. It can be obtained in various wood species, finishes, and styles, providing aesthetic versatility similar to solid wood.
Pros and Cons of Engineered Hardwood
Now that you know about the good and bad sides of LVF, the next one is engineered hardwood. This flooring type differs from LVF and has unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the well-known pros and cons of engineered hardwood you need to know about:
Pros
- Stability. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid hardwood due to its multi-layer construction. It is less susceptible to warping, cupping, and expanding or contracting with changes in humidity and temperature, making it suitable for a variety of climates and areas like basements.
- Aesthetic Appeal. The top veneer layer is made of real hardwood, giving engineered hardwood a natural, authentic appearance like solid wood. It comes in various wood species, finishes, and styles.
- Versatile Installation. Engineered hardwood offers various installation methods, such as floating, glue-down, or nail-down, making it adaptable to different subfloor types and installation scenarios. It can often be installed over concrete or even radiant heating systems.
- Eco-Friendly Option. Since engineered hardwood uses a smaller amount of high-quality hardwood in the top layer and uses more readily available wood species for the core layers, it can be a more environmentally responsible choice than solid hardwood.
- Cost-Effective. While still offering the look of real wood, engineered hardwood is often more affordable than solid hardwood, making it a budget-friendly choice for homeowners.
- Refinishing Option. Depending on the top veneer layer’s thickness, many engineered hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished once or even several times, extending their lifespan and allowing for style updates.
Cons
- Limited Refinishing. Unlike solid hardwood, which can be refinished multiple times, the refinishing capability of engineered hardwood flooring is limited. If the veneer layer is thin, it may allow for only one or no refinishes.
- Cost Variability. Although generally more affordable than solid wood, high-end engineered hardwood can be as expensive as, or even more expensive than, some solid hardwood options, depending on wood species and veneer thickness.
- Durability Concerns. While engineered hardwood is durable, it is not as hard as alternatives like luxury vinyl planks. It can still be susceptible to dents and scratches, especially with softer wood species.
- Moisture Resistance Limits. Engineered hardwood is more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood but not waterproof. Prolonged moisture exposure can cause water damage, making it less suitable for humid or wet environments like bathrooms.
- Quality Variance. The quality of engineered hardwood can vary between manufacturers. Lower-quality products may have thinner veneer layers and weaker core construction, decreasing performance and longevity.
- Environmental Concerns. While it uses less hardwood, the adhesives and finishes used to produce engineered hardwood may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially affecting indoor air quality. Selecting products with low-VOC certifications can mitigate this issue.
Luxury Vinyl vs Engineered Hardwood: Understanding Their Key Differences
To help you make a sound decision, you need to understand the key differences between the two flooring materials. Let’s talk about their key features, benefits, and possible drawbacks to determine which option will best fit your preferences:
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF) | Engineered Hardwood | |
Material Composition | Made from synthetic materials, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC), LVF includes multiple layers, such as a design layer for visual appeal and a protective top coat for durability. | Composed of a real hardwood veneer, or wear layer, on top of several plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core layers. This construction gives it a solid wood appearance with enhanced stability. |
Appearance and Aesthetic | Offers a wide range of designs and can convincingly mimic wood, stone, and ceramic. It’s available in planks and tiles and usually incorporates textures that mimic real material. | Provides the genuine look and feel of real wood, as the top layer is real hardwood. The variety in wood species, grain patterns, and finishes adds to its authentic and rich aesthetic. |
Durability and Maintenance | Known for its exceptional durability, LVF is resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. It’s water-resistant (sometimes waterproof), making it ideal for all areas, including kitchens and bathrooms. Maintenance involves simple cleaning with a damp mop and regular sweeping. | While durable, it is less resistant to scratches and dents than LVF. However, it has better durability than solid hardwood, thanks to its layered construction. It’s not waterproof, so caution should be followed in wet areas. Maintenance includes regular sweeping and avoiding excess water. |
Installation | Offers versatile installation options, including click-lock, glue-down, and peel-and-stick. It can be installed over most subfloors and is DIY-friendly. | Can be installed as floating floors, glued, or nailed down. Suitable for installation over concrete and radiant heating systems. Professional installation is typically advised to achieve a finished look. |
Cost | Generally more affordable than engineered floors, especially considering its durability and low-maintenance attributes. Prices can vary depending on design and brand. | Typically more expensive than LVF, especially with higher-quality wood veneers. However, it is often less expensive than solid hardwood. |
Environmental Impact | Made from plastics, its production and disposal can have environmental consequences, though some manufacturers offer recyclable or eco-friendly options. | Uses less hardwood than solid wood flooring, potentially reducing the need for logging. Eco-options are available with certifications for sustainable sourcing and low VOC finishes. |
Refinishing Potential | Cannot be refinished. If damaged, individual planks or tiles need replacement. | Can be refinished, though this depends on the thickness of the veneer. Higher-quality products may allow for one or more refinishes over their lifespan. |
Comfort and Sound | Softer underfoot than stone and tiles but generally less so compared to wood. It does well in dampening sound with added underlayment. | Provides a more solid feel underfoot and benefits from the natural acoustics of wood, making rooms feel warmer and quieter. |
Which Is Better, Engineered Hardwood or Luxury Vinyl?
The choice between engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl depends on specific needs, preferences, and intended use. Engineered hardwood offers the authentic look and feel of real wood, making it preferable for those who value natural beauty and warmth in living spaces. It performs well in areas where moisture is controlled, and its ability to be refinished (albeit limitedly) can extend its lifespan.
Conversely, luxury vinyl is often favored for its superior durability, water resistance, and affordability, making it ideal for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Additionally, luxury vinyl provides versatile design options and low maintenance.
Ultimately, the “perfect flooring” hinges on factors such as budget, the specific environment where it will be installed, desired aesthetics, and lifestyle considerations.
Need Expert Help Choosing the Right Flooring? Call D2C Flooring Today!
Comparing luxury vinyl plank vs engineered wood floors is always a tough choice, especially if you don’t have extensive knowledge about flooring systems. However, you can lessen the stress of choosing the flooring type by working with D2C Flooring. We can be your trusted flooring company, offering quality solutions to clients who need them.
With our strong relationships with trusted flooring suppliers, we’re able to provide durable, high-quality products to property owners. You can also utilize our membership to gain the best deals we offer from time to time. We’re a proud supplier of COREtec flooring, offering the best prices you will not find anywhere.
Contact us today if you need more information about our company. It’s time to change your building for the better with our unique luxury vinyl floors!