Two of the most popular products competing for the hard surface in your home are hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl flooring. Hardwood flooring is the one and only product that has a long history of being used for flooring, and what luxury vinyl tries to copy. While luxury vinyl is a copy of wood flooring, there are some things about it that appeal to many homeowners. The most basic difference will be what it is made of. Hardwood is a natural product that comes from trees that are grown or harvested for flooring. Luxury Vinyl is a synthetic, multi layered, and man made product with definate images that are created to look like different types of wood flooring.
Appearance is the first difference. Hardwood flooring will always be unique in it color, visual appearance, and authentic. Luxury Vinyl can look very realistic, but there are limits to how good it can be with restrictions on the types of finish it has to look like wood and the number of planks that have an individual look.
Durability is a big concern for some home owners. Solid wood and some engineered wood planks are thick enough that over time if they get worn or damaged they can be refinished to look new again. Other finishes, such as an oil finish, is designed to allow a home owner to clean and refinish the flooring without ever having to sand it again. If there is damaged areas, they can be replaced if needed or re-oiled to blend into the rest of the flooring. Luxury Vinyl has a good, better, and best durability level depending on the quality of the product you purchase. It comes at a lower price point overall. The higher quality products can have a new clear coat applied if the scratches damage it over time.
Water Resistance has been a growing selling point for Luxury Vinyl. The introduction of Coretec in 2012 revolutionized the flooring industry. Floors could now be mopped, spilled on, and have friendly accidents by pets without worry. The higher the quality of luxury vinyl, it usually means that you will have a better locking system to keep moisture from going through the joints. Wood flooring as a whole can resist water to a degree, but you normally don't want water or other spills to sit on the wood for long periods of time. It could get into the joints or cracks in the wood and cause damage or discoloration. There are some wood flooring products such as Woodura or Proximity Mills that have waterproof wood flooring options. They use an engineered wood flooring that interlocks like luxury vinyl and keeps moisture on the surface.
Maintenance is something that many customers sometimes forget to ask about. Both surfaces need regular sweeping and mopping to keep them clean. Keeping them clean will help them last longer. Wood flooring may just need a little more work to maintain the finish that it has depending on the level of use and traffic. Depending on the finish will determine the type of long term maintenance you will need.
Comfort underfoot is something that those who stand on their feet a lot think about. Wood is better than tile, but luxury vinyl is better than wood when selecting a higher quality product. There are products that can be installed under hardwood to help, but consult your local dealer on what products work with your wood flooring.
Installation of wood and luxury vinyl are usually very different. Wood flooring is typically installed either using a nail or staple installation method or glue down method. It will depend on the product and specific instructions for the product. Luxury Vinyl is typically a click and lock system. Commercial applications do include a glue down application. Recently, hardwood flooring companies have introduced click together wood flooring planks. They have a similar core as some luxury vinyl products that have a wood surface. Some others have a unique wood core that is compressed and very rigid. Both give the floor a dent resistance and use click together technology.
Cost is a big factor in selecting flooring many times. Luxury Vinyl has a lower starting point with a cap of how expensive it may get. Hardwood flooring starts higher and can go 2x to 3x higher than luxury vinyl. It is also a product that can be customized per home or building. Hardwood flooring has the options of a sand and finish or pre-finished option. In that there are so many different price points and options.
Lifespan is a concern for some homeowners. Good quality wood products taken care of will give you a lifetime of use. Luxury vinyl, if you by a good quality product, could give you 15 to 30 years or more. Lower priced products in both categories will usually not last as long. You typically get what you pay for in quality.
When it comes to resale value, wood is king. You will get 80% return on investment with wood flooring. Not so much with luxury vinyl. If you are going to resale the home quickly, luxury vinyl may be the better investment because it is less expensive. Hardwood flooring is usually the product I would recommend for those who are going to enjoy their home longer.
When it comes to the best product for the whole home, luxury vinyl tends to be the better choice. With its water resistance and durability you can use it in every room in the home. It is less expensive than both hardwood and tile if you need a durable, yet water resistant product. Hardwood can be installed in every room in the home, but I would not recommend it in the kitchen, bath, or laundry. Not only with the concern of water, but you tend to have more spills and items dropped in those rooms which dent and damage most hardwood flooring options.
In the end, take time to talk with your flooring professional and visit BPS Southeast Flooring to find all your flooring needs.
