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Engineered hardwood and LVP flooring are becoming popular for high-end homes and owners wishing to boost their property’s curb appeal. They’re both durable and give your floor a solid hardwood look at a lower price.
However, since they are made from different materials, their distinct advantages may be weakened if installed in places that are not optimal for them. Knowing the pros and cons of these flooring types will ensure you get the most suitable material for your house and prevent any costly repairs or re-floorings due to unexpected water damage.
2 reasons why you should go for LVP flooring
Affordable
One of the main pros of LVP flooring is that it gives you a hardwood look for almost a third of the engineered wood flooring price. The average vinyl plank flooring price ranges from $1 to $10 per square foot, while engineered hardwood ranges from $3 to $20 per square foot.
Besides this, vinyl planks are easier to install than engineered wood, as they don’t need to be nailed or attached to the subfloor. Thus, LVP can be a great choice if your home improvement budget is tight and you want to save as much as possible without compromising the floor quality.
Water resistance
Water resistance is an important aspect when making a flooring comparison, especially in Port Saint Lucie, which is especially vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. Many luxury vinyl plank options available in the market are 100% waterproof. If installed correctly, these can protect your home foundations from water damage.
Even when not waterproof, you can still use LVP flooring for basements, mudrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens, which can get wet daily since it is more water-resistant than other materials.
2 reasons that may drawback you from LVP
It can’t be refinished
Vinyl planks can last up to 25 years, depending on their quality and usage. They are also very resistant to scratches, making them great flooring for pets.
However, they’re not as durable as engineered hardwood flooring and may need replacement sooner. Vinyl can´t be refinished when wear and tear occurs, unlike engineered wood, which can be refinished up to three times before replacing. So it’s essential to consider the durability when comparing LVP vs engineered hardwood flooring.
When an LVP floor shows signs of usage, you can leave it until it’s worn out entirely or look for a remodeling contractor to re-floor your home before that happens.
Aesthetics quality
Thought LVP does a great job imitating solid hardwood, engineered hardwood exceeds it thanks to the tones, patterns, and textures inherent to real wood. Also, viny has little room for customization, while engineered wood allows you to finish your floor to your preference and style.
If the final visual worries you the most, engineered wood may be a more outstanding option for your flooring than luxury vinyl planks.
2 reasons that may drawback you from LVP
Long lifespan
Although engineered wood can be slightly more expensive than LVP, its exceptional durability fairly pays off the initial investment. It can last up to a hundred years, and its flooring maintenance costs are low. It should be good with regular mopping or vacuuming. However, it is recommended that these floors be dry-mopped.
This long lifespan is thanks to its hardwood cover, which can be refinished several times. This allows you to polish your floor during a home improvement project without having to refloor the whole living room. The thickness of this layer can be between 2mm and 10 mm and will affect how many times you can refinish your floor.
Environmental impact
If you’re currently trying to improve your eco-friendliness in your daily routine, engineered hardwood flooring can be the perfect solution. Unlike LVP, which is 100% made from synthetic materials, engineered flooring is made from natural wood and can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle.
Besides, most engineered hardwood comes from sustainable practices, where manufacturers commit to planting one or more trees for every falling one.
2 reasons that may draw you back from engineered hardwood
Higher installation costs
Engineered wood floors may not be as expensive as solid hardwood floors, but they still require professional installation and tools that are better not to cut off. While professionals mostly use click-lock iterations for LVP, engineered hardwood needs to be glued or nailed to the subfloor in most cases, which can increase the installation cost.
If your floor remodels budget is limited, getting engineered wood flooring can be cost-prohibitive and restrict your finances.
Requires more care
While engineered flooring maintenance is not rocket science, these floors are less resistant to water and scratches than LVP ones. Thus, you should be careful when moving and dragging furniture and if you have kids or pets who can accidentally scratch the flooring.
If your pet is known for being reckless, you should get other materials that make better flooring for pets than this one. Likewise, engineered hardwood is not recommended for places with high humidity or constant wetness.
LVP vs. Engineered hardwood flooring? If you’re still unsure, call the experts in RJ!
Choosing the right material among many flooring types balances quality and price. Sure, you don’t want to get a cheap floor that will crack if your child drops their phone, but you also don’t want to spend all your paycheck on home improvement. With RJ Interior Innovations, you can have both at the same time.
When you work with us, you get an experienced and professional crew that will pay attention to your flooring project’s details. If you need the subfloor leveraged, we’ll do it. If you need to remove your old flooring, we’ll be there. If you need to replace a few planks or tiles in flooring maintenance, we’ll help you out. All you have to do is call us.
