Comparing the Pros and Cons of Top Luxury Flooring Options on the Market Today
Thanks to its rich, earthy texture and natural beauty, hardwood has always been synonymous with high-end, quality homes. As a result, homeowners often lean towards refinishing rather than replacing it, aiming to avoid the high cost of complete replacement.
Despite its enduring popularity, hardwood flooring poses challenges and anxiety for homeowners with children and pets. Hardwood is susceptible to warping due to excess moisture or noticeable scratches, making it less than ideal for busy households. Here are the 3 pros for selecting a hardwood alternative…
1. Crafted for Durability & Damage Resistance
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) has been around for over 50 years, and the quality has come a long way. Due to the ever-evolving technology, the variety of styles and sizes is endless, especially in the look of hardwoods. And the beauty of an LVP versus a hardwood floor is that once installed, you never have to worry about sanding or refinishing again.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) is great in areas that may have a lot of moisture. For instance, it’s a perfect choice for lower levels that may get seepage from heavy rain or for a mud room after coming in with snowy boots if you live in the Midwest. LVT is 100% waterproof, making clean-up a breeze. I highly recommend LVP and LVT in high-traffic areas of your home or where you need something to be maintenance-free.
It is an excellent choice for a kitchen; it is easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and, most importantly, softer and warmer underfoot than natural materials.
2. Streamlined Installation for Effortless Setup
To achieve a natural wood look, LVP is installed similarly to a hardwood floor. It is crucial to ensure that your installer is mindful of arranging the planks randomly, avoiding identical planks next to each other, and staggering them like hardwood floor installation.
As for LVT, it offers two installation methods: Glue Down or Floating. In the Floating method, the planks seamlessly snap in place, making for a quick install. However, before opting for the faster route, consult with a professional. Depending on factors such as the home's age or condition, one installation method may be better than the other.
One thing to consider when choosing a flooring material is the installation timeline. For example, when selecting a natural hardwood, the wood will be installed, sanded, and stained. Sometimes, it requires three coats of stain/sealer. When installing a LVP/LVT, once the planks or tiles are installed, that's it, cutting the installation time by a third.
3. Tailored to Your Financial Goals
LVP averages $3-$7 per square foot. Once installed, you never have to worry about it again. If, for some unfortunate circumstance, something dents a plank, you have the option to replace just that plank. With hardwood flooring, that option is not available.
LVT averages $6-$13 per square foot, while hardwood averages $8-$25 per square foot. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, which is very accurate in the case of LVT. You want to be sure the product has quality layers, a stabilizing backing layer, and an inter-core layer. Higher-density layers will help absorb the sound.
Selecting the flooring for your home is a big decision, and you should consider all lifestyle factors. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with LVP/LVT, but as technology expands and quality improves, I definitely consider it when presenting to a client.
Of course, there is nothing like a natural material, but with natural material, like everything in life, it comes with more care and maintenance, and that's ultimately the deciding factor.
If you would like a professional's eye on your home, we would love to help. Reach out, and let's make a plan to enhance your space.
Until next time,
Trisha