Can't decide between vinyl plank flooring vs. hardwood flooring? Here's how to decide which of these two flooring types would work best for your home.
You need new flooring.
Whether you are renovating your home or building a new one, flooring is a big decision for the interior of your home.
Two of the best choices are vinyl plank and hardwood flooring.
Keep reading to find out who wins in the battle of vinyl plank flooring vs. hardwood flooring!
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs Hardwood: Advantages of Each
Both types of flooring have several advantages to consider before deciding which is a better fit for your home. Understanding how well they hold up in heavy use and how often they will need to be cleaned is important.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Waterproof - Vinyl plank flooring is moisture resistant, making it an ideal choice for kitchens, bathrooms, & basement areas.
Easy to Maintain - Vinyl flooring is easy to care for and our flooring professionals work with the top manufacturers in the industry to find a low-maintenance option that fits in your budget
Durable - There is a protective wear layer on vinyl flooring that provides stain and scratch resistance in high traffic use. This helps the floor retain its original appearance for a long time too.
Variety - Vinyl flooring is available in a wide range of aesthetic options. There is flooring can mimic the look of hardwood, while other models come in various shapes and sizes to add variety to any room.
Affordable - Sheet vinyl is an extremely low-budget flooring for those that are not looking to spend a lot of money on flooring.
Easy to Install - Vinyl flooring can be installed by you without any previous flooring experience. The tiles are typically glued down but most vinyl flooring is a click & lock process in which the pieces lock together. Depending on the current flooring in your home, vinyl can sometimes be installed over it and save you the hassle of removing it.
Insulation - Vinyl flooring absorbs noise. This makes it an excellent choice for the second-story rooms of a home.
Hardwood
Color Doesn't Fade - Unlike other flooring or carpet, hardwood coloring does not fade drastically over time. This makes it a logical choice for the long-term because you won't need to replace it due to wear and tear within the home.
It Can Be Refinished - If you decide you want to change the color of your flooring, you don't need to tear it out and install new flooring. Instead, you can refinish the current hardwood and completely change the color of flooring in your home without lifting a single board. The cost of doing this is much lower than installing new flooring.
Adaptable to Different Interior Themes - Hardwood flooring has the ability to adapt to any interior decor setup that you have. This is important because you can change small or big items in your home decor without having to worry about if they will clash with the flooring. The look of hardwood flooring can add unsurpassed elegance to any space in your home.
Adds Value - People are more likely to pay more for a home with hardwood floors instead of carpet. They won't have to replace the flooring prior to moving in, making the process quicker and easier for them.
Vinyl Plank Flooring vs Hardwood: Disadvantages of Each
Now that you have learned the advantages of each flooring, it is important to discuss the drawbacks of each. The weaknesses of each type of flooring can help you decide which one will work for your home flooring project.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Difficult to Remove - If you have any vinyl that is glued down, it will be difficult to remove if you choose to change your flooring in the future.
Cannot Withstand Heavy or Sharp Objects - Although the flooring has a wear layer, it is not suited to hold heavy objects and can be damaged by anything sharp on its surface.
Cannot Be Repaired - Once vinyl flooring has been damaged, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. This can be costly depending on the location of the damaged flooring and how much of it will need to be removed to fix the issue.
No Positive Resale Effect - Vinyl flooring has not been shown to add any additional value to a home when it is being sold. If you are looking for ways to make your home sell for a higher price, this could affect your flooring choice.
Hardwood
Difficult to Install - Hardwood flooring requires specialized help during installation, which adds to the cost of the project.
Affected by Temperature - Hardwood flooring can be affected by humidity and fluctuations in temperature within the home. It has the potential to swell in damp weather and shrink in warm weather. The climate you live in is something to consider when looking into hardwood flooring.
Limited Use - Hardwood flooring is not a practical choice for every room in your home. The areas that are high in moisture are not the best fit for a hardwood floor.
Susceptible to Termites - Any wood in your home is susceptible to the risk of termites.
Call Us Today!
Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks to vinyl plank flooring vs. hardwood flooring, it's time to call the professionals. Please contact us today and we will help answer any additional flooring questions that you have. We offer free in-home estimates so that we can properly guide you to the right flooring for your project.
