Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Floors

Which One's Smarter?

Thinking about getting new floors? Want something that looks like real wood but doesn’t need a ton of care? Luxury Vinyl Plank, or LVP, might be just what you need. It gives you that clean, high-end look of hardwood but is way easier to live with — especially if you have kids, pets, or a busy lifestyle.

Let’s break it down and see how LVP compares to traditional hardwood flooring.

What's the Difference?

🪵 Traditional Hardwood

Hardwood is made from real wood like oak or maple. It looks beautiful and can last for years, but it needs a lot of care. It can scratch, get damaged by water, and fade in the sun. It’s also one of the most expensive floors you can buy.

Hardwood Pros:

• 🌳 100% real wood
• 🛠️ Can be sanded and refinished
• 🏠 Feels solid and luxurious

Hardwood Cons:

• 💧 Doesn’t like water (can warp)
• 🐾 Scratches easily
• 🧽 Needs regular care and cleaning
• 💸 Expensive to install and maintain

💡 Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

LVP is a man-made flooring that’s designed to look just like hardwood, but with added superpowers. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and way easier to clean. It’s built in layers, including a tough wear layer and a high-quality printed design that mimics wood grain.

LVP Pros:

• 💧 100% waterproof
• 🛡️ Resists scratches and dents
• 🧼 Easy to clean and care for
• 💵 More affordable than hardwood
• 🎨 Tons of color and style options

LVP Cons:

• ❌ Can’t be sanded like real wood
• 🪵 Not “real” wood (but sure looks like it)

LVP Features That Stand Out

LVP is designed for real life. Here’s what makes it a great choice:

• ✅ Waterproof: Great for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements
• ✅ Scratch-Resistant: Holds up to pets, kids, and furniture
• ✅ Comfortable: Softer underfoot than hardwood
• ✅ Quiet: Reduces noise with built-in padding
• ✅ Realistic Textures: Comes in hand-scraped, matte, and wood-grain looks
• ✅ Wide Planks Available: Fewer seams and a clean finish

And it comes in cool patterns too — like chevron or herringbone — if you want something a little different.

Why More People Are Choosing LVP

💵 It’s Budget-Friendly

LVP gives you a luxury look without the high price. Here’s a cost breakdown:

• Materials: Around $2–$7 per square foot
• Installation: About $1–$2 per square foot
• Maintenance: No sanding, sealing, or fancy cleaners needed

That’s a big savings compared to hardwood, which can cost up to $20 per square foot — and still needs care over time.

💪 Built to Last

LVP is made to handle whatever life throws at it:

• 🚸 Energetic kids and their toys
• 🐕 Pets with sharp nails
• 🪑 Moving furniture
• 🍷 Spills, mud, and messes

It holds up beautifully in homes that see a lot of action.

👣 Comfortable & Quiet

Hardwood can be hard and cold, especially on bare feet. LVP is softer and warmer, especially if it comes with underlayment (a soft layer built in).

Bonus: It also reduces noise, so it’s great for apartments or homes with upstairs bedrooms.

🎨 So Many Styles to Pick From

LVP isn’t just about function — it’s super stylish too. You can find:

• 🌬️ Cool whitewashed oak
• 🔥 Warm caramel tones
• 🪵 Deep browns that look like real wood
• 🖤 Gray, greige, and black tones for modern vibes

It matches all kinds of design styles — from farmhouse to modern, coastal to Scandinavian.

🌱 It’s Greener Than You Think

• ♻️ Made with recycled materials
• 🧪 Free of VOCs (chemicals that can harm indoor air)
• 🗑️ Designed to last longer, so less waste ends up in landfills

Always check for certifications like FloorScore® if eco-friendliness matters to you.

Where Hardwood Still Has Some Perks

Hardwood is still a great floor — for the right situation. Some people love it for:

• 🏡 Old homes with historical charm
• 🪞Formal dining rooms or master bedrooms
• 💼 Higher resale value in luxury housing markets

Hardwood can also be refinished instead of replaced, which helps it last even longer. But it requires:

• 🧽 Regular cleaning
• 🌫️ Humidity control
• 🛠️ Occasional sanding or staining

It’s beautiful — just not low-maintenance.

Where LVP Beats Hardwood

Looking at real-life rooms? Here’s where LVP comes out on top:

🍽️ Kitchens

Spills happen — LVP doesn’t care. It wipes clean in seconds and won’t swell like wood.

🛁 Bathrooms

Waterproof floors? Yes, please. LVP gives you the wood look without the mold risk.

🧺 Laundry Rooms & Basements

These rooms get humid. LVP stays strong, while hardwood would suffer.

🏃‍♂️ Living Rooms & Hallways

High-traffic areas need durability. LVP resists scratching and feels soft underfoot.

🏢 Rentals & Investment Properties

LVP lasts for years with little upkeep. Install it once and don’t worry about it.

🪟 Open-Concept Spaces

Wide white planks reflect light and make rooms feel bigger and brighter.

Final Thoughts: Why LVP Is the Real-Life Winner

Let’s be real: we want pretty floors, but we also want to relax in our homes — not worry about every little scratch or spill. That’s the magic of Luxury Vinyl Plank:

• 💧 Waterproof
• 🐾 Scratch-resistant
• 🧽 Easy to clean
• 💸 More affordable
• 🎨 Super stylish

Whether you’re renovating one room or updating your whole house, LVP gives you that hardwood look — without the hardwood hassle.

The Bottom Line.

Feature

Looks like wood?

Waterproof?

Scratch-resistant?

Cost-effective?

Low-maintenance?

Long-lasting?

Good for resale?

LVP

✅ Yes

✅ 100%

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

✅ 15-20 years

⚠️ Sometimes

Hardwood

✅ Yes

❌ No

❌ No​

❌ Expensive

❌ Needs care

✅ 30-50 years

✅ Yes

Want help choosing the right flooring for your space? Refloor can help tailor options to your needs — whether it’s for pets, busy kids, or making your home feel bright and modern.