Vinyl Plank Vs Hardwood Flooring – Which One’s The Best?
Time to pick a floor for your room and you have your heart set on the hard surface. Hardwood floors have always appealed to you, but the flooring company suggests luxury vinyl.
Now, decide which is the best option. To answer this, you need to explore goals for the project and evaluate the lifestyle.
The comparison between vinyl plank vs hardwood flooring has always been a much-talked-about concept.
Look at the common objectives
- ◘ Building a dream home
- ◘ Remodeling the home for a potential sale soon
- ◘ Investment property for renters
- ◘ Refinish the basement to increase the living space for a growing family
- ◘ Selecting flooring for a vacation home
Most likely, the objective would involve combining the various factors. You must figure out the most essential object and write it down. This will help focus on achieving goals while looking for a floor.
To best illustrate the comparable characteristics of vinyl plank vs hardwood flooring, let us break flooring down into the quantifiable qualities:
Vinyl Plank
Pros
- Cheaper & Recylable
- Easier to install
- Low maintenance & Moisture resistant
- Limitless customization
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- Cannot be repaired
- Shorter lifespan
- Shorter lifespan
- No resale value
Hardwood Flooring
Pros
- Longer lifespan
- Higher resale value
- More attractive appearance
- Can be repaired and refinished
- Good insulator
- Renewable resource
CONS
- Expensive and difficult to install
- Susceptible to moisture damage
- High maintenance
- May be damaged by radiant heat
Installation
Both vinyl and hardwood flooring need to get installed by proficient installers. This is mainly because they have access to the necessary tools and equipment.
Vinyl flooring is easier to install. The professional installation would offer the best results. Let us check the vinyl plank wood flooring pros and cons. While vinyl flooring doesn’t require a perfectly level floor, it needs a clean surface.
You can get vinyl installed onto wood, concrete or layers of flooring. However, these have some cons. Vinyl planks or tiles have a peel and stick backing and get glued to the floor surface. This makes it difficult to remove when remodeling.
With hardwood flooring, you need a level wooden subfloor. No wonder, hardwood doesn’t forgive an uneven subfloor structure and vinyl since wood can bend.
You need to provide an expansion gap around the perimeter of the floor to allow the boards to swell and contract from moisture.
Appearance
No doubt, hardwood flooring near me offers an attractive appearance. Since they get made from solid wood, these show natural tones and grains. The colors range from neutrals to reddish hues depending on the trees used.
The vinyl planks get dyed and textured on the outer layer to mimic many wood species. However, hardwood flooring gives a more natural look to your floor than vinyl planks.
Maintenance
Vinyl planks require the least maintenance. It needs to get cleaned regularly and mopped with recommended cleaners. However, you can also vacuum the vinyl floor. But there is another glitch, you cannot repair these floors, you can only replace it.
Hardwood floorings require cleaning and dusting to keep it scratch-free from dust and dirt particles. You need to keep it dry to prevent moisture from damaging it.
But there’s good news, you can refinish it and repair it as and when needed.
The Verdict
Hardwood flooring and vinyl planks each have their benefits and drawbacks. While vinyl flooring requires less maintenance, you cannot repair it and need replacing.
The hardwood flooring service Sherman Oaks, comes in a variety of colors and styles that fit all homes. You can also refinish and repair as needed. So, hardwood flooring is the winner.
