An Insight to Engineered Hardwood vs LVP (Vinyl Plank Flooring)

You might have seen the real debate on the internet regarding engineered hardwood vs LVP.

If you are planning to install new flooring then you surely have an idea regarding different flooring options. When it comes to flooring, we never want to compromise on quality and cost.

It is hard to get both qualities in a single flooring but is not impossible. In this guide, I will let you know about the 2 most significant and most commonly used flooring. I will also talk about the major difference between both.

Hardwood is the first choice for everyone as it lasts longer and they add huge value. Apart from being expensive, they serve every characteristic one requires in their flooring this is what makes them worth considering.

Let’s get straight to the point and talk about both floorings in detail. So that you get a clear idea about which one suits you the most.

Engineered Hardwood Vs Vinyl Plank

Nowadays people are choosing hard surfaces for home when we talk about hard surfaces. The two most commonly used types include LVP (vinyl flooring) and engineered hardwood.

They are one of the two excel products but contain many differences. Let’s talk about both products separately before moving towards their differences so that you get more ideas.

What Are Vinyl Planks?

LVP which is known as luxury vinyl planks is one of the highly considerable flooring options that people usually consider. They usually do so when they can’t afford wood floors but want the same characteristics.

Vinyl planks flooring resembles hardwood floors and gives us the same feelings and vibes. With time, the trend of LVP floors is enhancing for all the right reasons. Countless people are opting for it more and more.

Vinyl planks have further different types to give you more choices to select. The planks are composed of melted polyvinyl chloride.

They also come in stone and cement designs. So if you are not looking for wood floor designs, you can go for those designs as well.

Vinyl Planks Flooring Advantages

Let’s have a look at a few advantages that vinyl planks provide you with. They include:

Vinyl planks don’t require a lot of care and maintenance so if you want a floor that doesn’t need your lot of attention and care, go ahead with this type of flooring.
The installation process of vinyl floors is quick because you can directly install them on the subfloor without any sheet required. It is also a DIY project that you can perform at home.
It is a long-lasting flooring option that can last for a maximum of 20 years. The number can enhance if you properly take care of the floor.
You can install vinyl planks in washrooms, laundry, and kitchens as well because they are water-resistant and can absorb water.
It provides you with a wood flooring look at a budget-friendly cost so if you want wood flooring but can’t afford it, vinyl planks are a great alternative for you.

What has Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered wood flooring is made of a plywood core that also contains a single layer of hardwood at the top. It is not the solid hardwood flooring but is almost identical.

People usually consider this option when they want budget-friendly flooring but can’t afford hardwood floors.

Unfortunately, you can not refinish this type of flooring like hardwood floors but it provides you with a lot of advantages like wood floors. It is also DIY friendly and can be installed easily at home.

Let’s have a look at a few advantages of engineered hardwood flooring.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Advantages

Engineered wood flooring gives resistance and stability because they are installed in a way that makes them more stable than other types of flooring.
They are the most cost-effective wood flooring that has increased its popularity. People who do not want to go for expensive solid wood flooring often consider this type of choice.
They might be the best alternative to wood floors but a layer of real hardwood floors has been used on the top surface of engineered hardwood flooring that enhances the appearance.
You can get this type of flooring in different designs, species, finishes, colors, and plank widths. Hence, you have a lot of options to make.
You can install this flooring in any weather condition because they are moisture-resistant and weather resistant and won’t get affected by climate change. It is one of the most significant advantages that this flooring gives.

Key Differences of Vinyl Vs Engineered hardwood

Let’s come to the main point that is the major differences both types of flooring have and what makes them worth considering.

They do have a lot of similarities but there are some points that you should keep in mind if you are confused between both floorings.

Look and Feel

When it comes to look and feel vinyl floors look exactly like hardwood floors in terms of design, colors, patterns, finishing, etc.

We all know that vinyl floor is composed of plastic material but is almost identical to hardwood floors in terms of looks. The vinyl floor also comes in cement and stone.

On the other hand, engineered hardwood floors not only look like wood floors but also contain a single layer of hardwood on the top surface.

Hence, they do give us the same feel while walking on the floors and tend to be the best choice if you want a hardwood flooring option.

Durability

Durability is the main feature that your flooring should provide you with in order to avoid installing flooring now and then.

Undoubtedly, both are durable like hardwood floors but yes both have their own advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of.

Vinyl is scratch-resistant and doesn’t need a lot of care to maintain its beauty however, if you drag heavy furniture over the floor, the surface will surely be damaged.

On the other hand, engineered hardwood is ding-resistant but not scratch-resistant. You have to pay special attention so that your flooring won’t be scratched or damaged.

It is also said that both floorings become dull when exposed to sun and heat so better cover them with a carpet or rug to protect the surface.

Pricing

Lets talk about cost comparison of engineered hardwood vs LVP floors.

The cost of both floors are budget-friendly which is why people prefer both floorings instead of real and solid hardwood floors.

Talking about the vinyl plank per square foot cost, they are approximately $2 – $7 while the engineered wood cost $4 – $10 because it has a real wood flooring layer.

However, the pricing may vary depending on the quality and type from where you will buy. Moreover, you have to pay the additional costs for the installation.

The installation cost of engineered hardwood flooring is a bit more than vinyl planks. You can also cut the cost by opting for a DIY project. Both are easy to install at home with a bit of effort.

Care and Maintenance

The next point is the care and maintenance of both floorings. Both are ways to clean and maintain for which you do not need to follow any complicated process.

For engineered hardwood floors, you can use a wet mop in order to clean the dirt and remove tough stains. For vinyl planks, it is better to use non-wax-based cleaner available in markets easily.

Regular sweeping would be better to maintain the beauty of these floors, For deep cleaning, better give a day to these floors once a month.

If you properly take care of them, they can last for almost 20 to 25 years without damage issues. Hence, both are easy to be taken care of them with little attention.

Water Resistant and Moisture Resistant

As mentioned above, vinyl planks are water-resistant so you can install them anywhere you want including in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, etc.

If your kids love swimming and they instantly jump out of the water then vinyl flooring would be the best choice for them as it is slip-resistant so your kids are completely safe.

On the other hand, engineered hardwood floors are moisture resistant so you can install them without worrying about the moisture or humidity level.

However, they can resist moisture to a certain level. Engineered floors are more stable due to plywood so they can resist different weather changes and won’t be damaged.

Installation Method

Let’s have a look at the last point which is the installation method of engineered hardwood vs LVP flooring.

If you are out of your budget and want a DIY project then go for vinyl planks because they are easy to install as compared to engineered hardwood floors.

For vinyl plank installation, you have 2 options including floating floor installation and peel and stick. In peel and stick, you only have to place the planks on the surface with glue.

In the floating floor method, you have to click the plank’s gloves and tongues to complete the installation.

On the other hand, it takes more time and effort to install engineered hardwood floors and you often need a professional for this purpose.

Hence, if you are out of budget and want something cost-effective, better choose vinyl planks because it will cut down the installation cost. Moreover, they are more affordable than engineered wood floors.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

I have been looking for a few frequently asked questions regarding engineered hardwood vs LVP that I decided to clear in this guide. Let’s have a look at those questions for your better understanding.

Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Better than Engineered?

Both floorings have their own advantages and disadvantages so it depends on you which feature you are looking for the most. If you want budget-friendly flooring, vinyl is surely better.

However, engineered hardwood floors contain a real wood flooring layer.

Is Hardwood or Vinyl Plank Flooring Better?

Vinyl planks are made with raw materials but engineered hardwood has a real coating of wood so you can consider it more reliable. Moreover, it is stable and resists moisture in a better way.

However, they need extra care and maintenance and they are difficult to be installed on your own as compared to vinyl planks.

What Are the Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring?

There are a few cons of vinyl flooring that we can’t ignore. You can not repair them once the floor is damaged or broken.

They also have a short life span as compared to wood floors and are made of raw materials and plastic.

There is not a single layer of hardwood used in vinyl planks. If you have followed the peel-and-stick installation method, it will be hard for you to remove the planks.

What Are the Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring?

They are a bit costly as compared to vinyl planks because of the original wood floor coating. Moreover, they are difficult t be installed and require more care and maintenance.

It is also said that too much exposure to the sun can fade the color of the floor hence better protecting the surface with a mat or a rug.

What Is the Lifespan of Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors?

They are durable and last for at least 20 years if you properly install them and properly take care of them. Sweeping the floor daily would be ideal.

Can You Put Luxury Vinyl Planks Over Hardwood Floors?

Vinyl flooring is divided into different types so yes, you can install them over hardwood floors. However, choose that vinyl floor type that doesn’t need to be nailed, glued, or stapled over wood floors.

It will make the process easy and possible.

Conclusion

This guide was all about engineered hardwood vs LVP. If you are planning to do a house renovation and looking for the best flooring at a budget-friendly cost, this article will fully help you.

Apart from the pricing, engineered hardwood floors would be the right choice for you. They have a real wood floor coating and they are also stable as well.

Vinyl flooring is also one of the great options but is made of plastic which increases our concerns. However, you can decide for yourself after going through the article.