Hardwood floors vs. LVP

[dja4260]

Kicking around the idea of new floors in my home. We have 3 kids and a big dog. We're going to live here forever.

Option A: White Oak Hardwood floors, 3''in wide plank. 2k more than LVP.

Option B: Luxury Vinyl plank, 100% waterproof, floated over existing floor. High end plank, not the cheap stuff. 2K cheaper than hardwood.


I like the idea of having the ability to refinish the hardwood floors in the future. I just can't see how LVP can be as durable as hardwood but I've been told otherwise.


Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[Wylie6G72]

I'd be more inclined to suggest vinyl if you have a big dog, which you will probably continue to have for the foreseeable future. Toenails and urine are better tolerated by a synthetic material. Naturally you can't resurface vinyl, but you're not likely to need to.

 

[KGMtech]

Compare the amount of wood above the tongue in the hardwood, the ability to sand to remove imperfections after 20 years depends on this thickness. Drop a piano or anything hard, heavy, with a sharp edge on either the hardwood or the LVP, and you're going to have to replace a section.

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Kicking around the idea of new floors in my home. We have 3 kids and a big dog. We're going to live here forever.

Option A: White Oak Hardwood floors, 3''in wide plank. 2k more than LVP.

Option B: Luxury Vinyl plank, 100% waterproof, floated over existing floor. High end plank, not the cheap stuff. 2K cheaper than hardwood.


I like the idea of having the ability to refinish the hardwood floors in the future. I just can't see how LVP can be as durable as hardwood but I've been told otherwise.


Anyone have an opinion on this?

Just put new floors in our place ( replaced dust mite sanctuary aka carpet ) and went with both hardwood ( upstairs ) and LVP ( main floor ). We do not have a dog. Already, the hardwood is damaged ( not sure how, contractors who renovated kitchen possibly ) and I regret not putting LVP in the whole place. The top quality LVP we got has a 25 year warranty.

 

[wpod]

The high end waterproof vinyl plank is really nice and holds up well and is cheaper to replace that the cost of refinishing hard wood.

 

[dja4260]

Just put new floors in our place ( replaced dust mite sanctuary aka carpet ) and went with both hardwood ( upstairs ) and LVP ( main floor ). We do not have a dog. Already, the hardwood is damaged ( not sure how, contractors who renovated kitchen possibly ) and I regret not putting LVP in the whole place. The top quality LVP we got has a 25 year warranty.

How does the LVP feel barefoot or in socks compared the hardwood?

 

[Donald]

I was watching The Build Show with Matt on YouTube and he showed some new wood flooring where is prefinished on all 6 sides and slips into clips. Looks just like normal oak flooring. With a suction cup you can pull out a damaged board and replace or swap one for a board under furniture.

Have you considered ceramic tile that looks like wood flooring?

I have a lot of prefinished 6" wide oak flooring. It looks great but with high humidity in summer and low humidity in winter we end up with gaps at ends and on sides. Dust and crumbs can slip into the gaps. If dog pees on floor, some runs into the gaps and almost impossible to clean out.

 

[wpod]

If something damages hard wood floor most likely any floor will also be damaged.

 

[RamFan]

We went with hardwood on the staircase (oak step and bamboo risers) and love the look, but, with a dog, they've been nicked to hell since we installed them 4 years ago and will definitely require refinishing prior to renting the house out.

We just (about 3 weeks ago) installed LVP in our kitchen and are very happy with it. About 5 years ago my in-laws switched out their tile kitchen for LVP and it's held up extremely well with kids and dogs running around. Because of that we decided to use it in ours. Install is also extremely easy, just make sure that you check (and re-check) that your seams are nice and tight with each row you put in.

As much as love hardwood, from a practicality stand point, it just doesn't compete with LVP in most situations.

 

[spasm3]

I have vinyl plank in my kitchen down stairs. I have dogs , its better. Hardwood finish will scratch worse.

I have armstrong mine has been down 10 years. Product names have changed. mine is a flexible wood looking vinyl plank.

 

[diyjake]

We installed Laminate Wood Flooring about 5 years ago and it is junk, a lot of the locks (connecting joints) have come apart, really wish we went with hardwood floors. Is Laminate luxury vinyl plank better than laminate wood flooring?

Also if you go with laminate or vinyl planks make sure your floor is solid and straight or it will come apart at the joints.

 

[Fitter30]

No for wood. Lvp yes. Have top on line Pergo boat house pine with two 50 lb dogs floor has been down 11 or 12 years never take my boots off floor still looks good no worn finish other than a couple of dents from dropping something heavy.

 

[Inked]

How does the LVP feel barefoot or in socks compared the hardwood?

Had LVP installed about 2 years ago after the Pergo we had for 20 years warped with a dishwasher leak incident. LVP has more give under foot which is a major plus and it’s also much quieter when something is dropped. I have always had larger dogs and the LVP is a godsend.

 

[JeffKeryk]

About 15 years ago we installed Pergo Select, which was the best at the time. The installation included glue and cost as much as the product.
It has been bullet proof (even in the kitchen!) and sooooo easy to clean.

Having said that, nothing is as beautiful as natural wood.

A couple of years ago we put the Costco bamboo flooring in our condo. Gorgeous stuff. Stunning.

 

[Job]

Yes have an opinion. The best for resale is 3/4” solid hardwood nailed down Imo, has the traditional wow factor. But you’re not reselling. Hardwood can be floating or nailed down. I think forever means in twenty years you can just pull it up and replace it, rather than have it sanded in place and refinished. That’s probably the main difference, floating or not. There are so many engineered planks from wood and luxury vinyl options it’s mind boggling. I have a home I rent, I did the whole thing myself with laminate from Costco and vinyl plank. It floats so when they destroy it, can just put another one in. The laminate is tough as nails. The vinyl too unless it is a smooth shiny one, tough as nails and waterproof. I have smooth and shiny vinyl plank in the kitchen and it is pretty scratched up.

 

[JC1]

Hardwood damages too easy. I would go with luxury vinyl or laminate flooring. I have vinyl in my basement and there are some scuff marks on it that aren't terrible, but I don't know if they will come out. Also in one section the glue didn't adhere nicely and it lifted up a bit.

 

[PandaBear]

Labor is expensive these days, even just to refinish stuff. I'd say LVP all day any day.

 

[thescreensavers]

Im going with LVP personally to replace some carpeted rooms

 

[Wylie6G72]

My first impression of real hardwoods was in my friend's 1890 fully restored Colonial. His Christmas tree stand leaked, and he had a big, severely warped spot in the floor. With all the potential for leaks & other moisture sources, I wish I had put down a high-end vinyl, rather than the engineered wood I went with in the dining room and entry hall. It's beautiful, and so far, it's been easy upkeep, but it's only a sink or dishwasher leak away from being destroyed.

 

[FT92]

vinyl plank ..easier to maintain but like someone else said floor has to be pretty darn level