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Engineered Hardwood vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank, Select the Ideal Flooring For YourHome

IN THIS ARTICLE:

  1. An Introduction To Engineered And Luxury Vinyl Hardwood Flooring
  2. What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
  3. What is Vinyl Hardwood Flooring?
  4. What is High-End Vinyl: Stone Plastic Composite (SPC)
  5. The Face-Off: Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank
  6. Luxury Vinyl Plank vs Engineered Wood Floors: A Side-by-side Comparison
    1. Appearance
    2. Durability
    3. Installation 
    4. Cost
  7. The Key Differences Between Engineered Hardwood and Luxury Vinyl
    1. Moisture Resistance 
    2. Maintenance
    3. Sound Installation
  8. Factors to Consider
    1. Lifestyle and Usage
    2. Moisture Exposure
    3. Budget
    4. Aesthetic Preference
    5. Maintenance
  9. Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
    1. Which is Better, Vinyl or Engineered Hardwood?
    2. Should I Choose Engineered or luxury Vinyl Planks?
    3. How Do I Know Engineered Hardwood From Luxury Vinyl?
    4. What’s More Durable, Vinyl Plank or Engineered Wood?
  10. Conclusion
Choosing new floors can feel like an impossible decision.

With so many options screaming for your attention, how do you even begin to pick? Engineered hardwood or vinyl plank? Rustic charm or modern chic? Just thinking about it makes your head spin!

But wait – take a deep breath. This doesn’t have to be frustrating. At Cabinets Core, we’ve guided countless homeowners through this flooring maze and lived to tell the tale.

Today, we’ll focus on two of the hottest options out there: engineered hardwood vs. luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Both have grown in popularity thanks to their good looks and performance.

But which one is right for YOUR home?

We’re about to unravel the mysteries of engineered hardwood and LVP flooring. You’ll discover the crucial differences between these contenders—from durability and style to cost and maintenance. Arm yourself with insider knowledge to make the perfect choice for your lifestyle.

By the end, you’ll be a flooring expert ready to install your dream floors. No more dizzying deciphering between oak and walnut or debating porcelain vs. vinyl!

Let’s dive in and crack the flooring code together today, focusing on two of the main contenders – engineered hardwood flooring and vinyl hardwood flooring.

At the finish line, you’ll be excited to create a home as comfortable as your favorite pair of slippers. Let’s get into it.

An Introduction to Engineered and Luxury Vinyl Hardwood Flooring

An Introduction to Engineered and Luxury Vinyl Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to fancy flooring terms like “engineered hardwood” and “luxury vinyl plank,” it’s easy to get confused. What exactly do these even mean?

Let’s keep it simple and cover everything you need to know.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood brings the natural beauty of real wood into your home without some of the downsides of traditional solid hardwood.

It’s versatile, visually appealing, and delivers the warmth and classic appearance of solid hardwood floors at a fraction of the cost.

How does it pull this off?

Well, engineered wood consists of a real hardwood veneer layer on top glued to plywood or HDF cores below. This layered construction makes engineered flooring more stable and moisture-resistant than solid wood.

While solid hardwood is milled straight from the tree, engineered wood strategically mixes materials. The result is wood that’s versatile for any room and easier on your wallet. Engineered hardwood also comes in various domestic and exotic wood species to match any style.

When considering engineered wood floors, keep these key points in mind:

  • More affordable than solid hardwood
  • Resists moisture better, but not as good as tile or vinyl
  • Easy installation below, on or above grade
  • Wide variety of wood species and grain patterns

So, whether you’re drawn to the natural charm of oak, walnut’s rich elegance, or maple’s striking tones, engineered hardwood offers something for every taste.

Vinyl Hardwood Flooring

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring has soared in popularity thanks to its budget-friendly price, easy upkeep, and resilience.

What exactly is LVP?

It has layers, including a clear top layer for protection, a printed vinyl layer that mimics hardwood, and a waterproof PVC or SPC core. Some LVP also have attached underlayment for extra cushioning.

Yes, this means that LVP is not actually real wood, but it does look the same and actually provides a ton of benefits, like being very affordable, having low installation costs, having more diversity in terms of colors and styles, and being extremely durable and waterproof.

This multi-layer construction allows vinyl plank to realistically imitate the look of natural wood in a more durable and waterproof package.

The planks click together quickly for DIY installation. This means you get endless style and color options to customize the look of any room.

If luxury vinyl plank flooring has caught your eye, keep these key considerations in mind:

  • Very affordable material and installation cost
  • Extremely durable and waterproof
  • Easy click-together floating installation
  • Wide variety of wood looks and colors
  • Requires very little maintenance

For homeowners wanting the style of hardwood with the resilience and budget of vinyl, LVP flooring can be a great choice. It brings realistic wood beauty to any room without maintenance!

High-End Vinyl: Stone Plastic Composite (SPC)

As a bit of a bonus, we wanted to mention another flooring option available to you, known as SPC, or Stone Plastic Composite.

This is essentially an upscale version of vinyl flooring – a premier choice that merits consideration.

So what exactly is SPC?

Stone Plastic Composite, like Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), is a vinyl product.

However, it boasts heightened benefits thanks to its unique composition. SPC is forged with a blend of natural limestone powder, stabilizers, and a plastic compound, creating an incredibly sturdy core.

The result?

A flooring option that presents toughness, durability, and stability like no other.

Largely known for its strength, SPC possesses a dense, rigid core, making it less susceptible to dents and other impact-related damages.

It laughs at moisture, convincing those worried about potential water damage to breathe easy. The ultra-dense layer also provides a robust surface, more like actual hardwood than flexible LVP, reflecting an authentic feel underfoot.

Although SPC mimics the look of hardwood effectively, it manages to sidestep the usual upkeep real wood demands.

Not only does it require minimal maintenance, but also it thrives in challenging environments where wood can’t — like your home’s kitchen, bathroom, or below-grade spaces.

Most importantly, SPC doesn’t sacrifice on style.

You’re still awarded the eye-catching designs and practical aspects of vinyl flooring, but with an extra helping of longevity and robustness.

Finally, you’ll find more peace when it comes to sound insulation.

Thanks to its rigid composition, SPC diminishes noise more efficiently than its standard LVP counterpart — an added advantage for those high-traffic, lively environments.

When it comes to considering SPC, remember these advantages:

 

  • Strong and dense core resistant to impacts
  • Excellent moisture and water resistance
  • Offers an authentic hardwood feel underfoot
  • Requires minimal maintenance
  • Superior sound insulation
  • A wide variety of design and color choicesChoose SPC for a luxury vinyl option with the most resistance, authentic feel, and sound insulation. SPC may represent a slightly higher investment than regular LVP, but the benefits make it a smart long-term choice for homeowners with demanding needs.

    Remember, the right choice of flooring material must suit your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budgetary needs.

    SPC is a high-quality addition to the luxury vinyl category that provides numerous benefits for homeowners looking for a balance between beauty and resilience.

The Face-off: Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank

Compare Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank at CabinetsCore
Comparing engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring? Their differences could very well guide your decision.

Engineered wood brings natural beauty with more stability thanks to its layered construction. LVP offers affordability and waterproof durability, though it lacks the richness of real wood. To pick the right floor for your home, weigh their unique pros and cons:

Luxury Vinyl Plank vs Engineered Wood Floors: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Appearance

When it comes to appearance, engineered hardwood beautifully replicates the visual style of natural wood floors.

You’ll find the same varied plank sizes, natural wood grains, and rich stains that make real hardwood so prized. Engineered hardwood comes in domestic oak, maple, and exotic species like Brazilian cherry or acacia.

Whichever wood look you love, engineered likely offers it.

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring has come a long way in realistically imitating wood, too.

Advanced digital printing creates convincing wood grains and textures. Combine that with special embossing techniques, and LVP can capture the subtle look of distressed hardwood or the flowing grain of oak. It may not be real wood, but today’s luxury vinyl goes above and beyond to create stunning and realistic wood looks.

Both flooring options can capture a natural wood aesthetic for any style, traditional or modern. Just know that engineered hardwood offers true wood variation and depth, while LVP replicates the look through printing technologies.

Choose LVP for affordability, but use engineered wood if authenticity is essential.

Durability

When it comes to standing up to daily life, both engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl planks hold their own. But LVP often wins by a nose thanks to its ultra-resilient construction.

The vinyl wear layer protects against scratches, dents, and water damage. Kids, pets, and messy spills are no match for waterproof vinyl plank flooring. LVP also hides wear well under its printed layer, looking freshly installed for years.

Engineered hardwood is more prone to dings, scratches, and water damage over time. But it can be refinished, which essentially renews the wood. However, engineered hardwood can only be refinished so many times before needing a full replacement.

While the vinyl plank is far more resilient, some homeowners feel that very resilience masks the natural patina and character that comes from wood aging gracefully. Light scratches and wear add to real wood’s charm over decades in a well-loved home.

So consider how you want your floors to wear.

Choose LVP if hiding wear is crucial, but go with engineered wood if you want floors with lasting personality, even with imperfections.

Installation

FREE GUIDE: 15 Things to Know When Buying Hardwood Flooring When installing your new dream floors, luxury vinyl plank makes it easy with DIY-friendly floating or click-together systems. The lightweight planks simply piece together over existing floors. Some handy homeowners can install vinyl plank flooring in just a weekend. Engineered hardwood usually requires calling in the professionals for nail-down, glue-down, or floating installation. The boards are thicker and more cumbersome to maneuver than flexible LVP planks. And proper installation is crucial to ensure engineered wood avoids future expansion issues. But while vinyl plank floats right over existing floors, some homeowners don’t like that hollow, plasticky sound underfoot. Others find engineered wood’s solid installation and natural wood sound more satisfying despite the hassle. As you pick flooring, decide how hands-on you want to install. Choose DIY-friendly vinyl plank if you dread contracting installers. Go engineered wood for a quality flooring foundation, even if that means hiring the pros. Your new floors will feel all the more special when installed properly right from the start.

Cost

When it comes to flooring budgets, luxury vinyl plank is usually the wallet-friendly choice and usually the most cost-effective. Even with professional installation included. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, hits a middle price point

While not as budget-friendly as LVP, engineered wood avoids the premium prices of solid hardwood. It makes real wood more accessible.

But watch out for extra installation costs with engineered wood, which often requires professional labor. LVP’s DIY-friendly click systems keep additional expenses low. Just remember you get what you pay for—real wood likely adds more long-term home value than imitation looks.

In the end, choose LVP if sticking to a tight flooring budget. Go engineered if you can flex more for the premium beauty of real wood.

Always get quotes beforehand to calculate total project costs accurately!

The Key Differences Between Engineered Hardwood And Luxury Vinyl

Impala hardwood flooring
Apart from their individual construction and performance characteristics, here are some vital differences between engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl that can influence your choice:

Moisture Resistance

Luxury vinyl plank is famous for being waterproof, making it suitable for damp spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Engineered hardwood is comparatively more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood but still vulnerable to damage in high-moisture environments.

Maintenance

Both flooring options require minimal upkeep, but luxury vinyl plank tends to have the upper hand where low maintenance is concerned. It is resistant to stains, easy to clean, and doesn’t require periodic refinishing.

Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, may need occasional refinishing to maintain its appearance.

Sound Insulation

Engineered hardwood typically provides better acoustic insulation compared to vinyl flooring. However, this can be mitigated by adding quality underlayment beneath a luxury vinyl plank floor.

Choosing the perfect flooring should center around your lifestyle, budget, and usage requirements.

Making Your Decision: Factors to Consider

Factors to consider when you're choosing between Engineered Hardwood and Luxury Vinyl Plank
Choosing the right flooring option is a critical decision that impacts your home’s aesthetics, functionality, and value. Here are the primary factors you should consider in making an informed choice between luxury vinyl and engineered hardwood:

Lifestyle and Usage

Take a moment to study your household scene – Do kids run rampant, pets rule the roost, or footsteps never cease?

Though engineered hardwood woos with its beauty and inviting warmth, it isn’t resistant to every scratch or dent, which may cause a stir in places drenched in activity or crawling with pets.

But let’s not forget about luxury vinyl flooring – a champion in resilience that laughs in the face of wear and tear. If your home is abuzz with energy and movement, it’s a contender that’s hard to beat.

Moisture Exposure

Speculating on the flooring for a room that’s pals with humidity, like a kitchen, bathroom, or basement? Luxury vinyl plank with its built-in raft in the sea of moisture could be the way to go.

Engineered hardwood might have secured the upper hand over solid hardwood in terms of moisture resistance, but in the face of constant or high humidity, it may throw in the towel and let warping or distortion creep in.

Budget

Your wallet’s health is a pivotal factor in deciding the winner in the flooring race. Engineered hardwood might deliver a sucker punch with its heftier per-square-foot price tag and potential additional installation costs.

On the flip side, luxury vinyl plank plays the friendly neighborhood superhero, giving you the sweet blend of visual pleasure and functional strength at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

At Cabinets Core, though, we have budget-friendly options for both engineered hardwood and LVP/SPC, and you can choose what you love most at a great price!

Aesthetic Preference

For those swayed by the authentic touch and aesthetic of real wood, engineered hardwood puts on a stunning show with its innate luxury. It’s quite the real estate boost and might secure you brownie points if you sell your home someday.

In the case you lean more towards wallet-friendly options exhibiting a flair for design versatility, luxury vinyl plank flooring steps up to claim the crown.

Maintenance

Ponder over your enthusiasm and capacity to run an upkeep regimen for your floors. Both options keep cleaning drama at bay, but engineered hardwood could call for a refinishing rendezvous down the line.

In the case of vinyl floors, they might ring the bell for a replacement if they bear extensive marks of wear or damage.

Keep in mind the crème de la crème of flooring depends on what best enhances your living style, appeals to your aesthetic senses, and strikes a chord with your budget. Take the floorings for a test drive by sampling and inspecting them in the flesh before sealing the deal.

And hey, you can always call in the cavalry – reach out to a flooring wizard who can steer you toward the selection that hugs the corners of your home just right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here, we answer common questions and help clarify the distinctions between luxury vinyl and engineered hardwood flooring.

1. Which is better, vinyl or engineered hardwood?

It depends on your priorities! Waterproof vinyl plank is your bestie if you want indestructible floors on a budget. It stands up to kids, pets, and life’s messy accidents without denting your wallet.

But for many homeowners, engineered hardwood’s natural warmth and timeless beauty outweigh vinyl’s resilience. Engineered brings you real wood’s appeal at a fraction of the cost of solid hardwood. Just be ready for some maintenance down the road.

2. Should I choose engineered or luxury vinyl planks?

Tough call! Both EVP and LVP offer waterproof, durable floors these days. EVP often uses a rigid stone/plastic core, so it feels more like real wood underfoot. LVP leans more flexible and forgiving.

But you can’t go wrong with either. Pick EVP if you want a super stable and quiet floor with a wood-like feel. Opt for LVP if you simply want an affordable, indestructible surface that’s easy to install anywhere.

Your needs and style preferences will steer you right!

3. How do I know engineered hardwood from luxury vinyl?

At first glance, luxury vinyl can convincingly mimic real wood looks with advanced printing. But get closer and touch the floors – engineered wood has noticeable wood grains and a warmer, more textured feel underfoot.

Another telltale sign is refinishing – you can sand and refinish engineered wood, but vinyl cannot be refinished. And remember, only engineered has real natural wood on the surface. But today’s luxury vinyl sure does an excellent job of imitating it on a budget!

4. What's more durable, vinyl plank or engineered wood?

It’s a tough durability matchup! Vinyl plank resists scratches, dents, and moisture better than any hardwood. That resistance makes it a bit more indestructible to active homes and messy accidents.

But engineered hardwood has its own strength – refinishing essentially renews the wood to look freshly installed again. So both maintain durability long-term through different means.

Ultimately, pick vinyl if you want to install it and forget it without constant upkeep. Choose engineered if you don’t mind refinishing every decade or so for like-new floors.

5. What is engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring is made of layers, which makes it stronger and less expensive than solid hardwood. It looks like real wood but is more durable and affordable.

6. hat is luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring mimics the appearance of wood but is made of synthetic materials, making it more affordable and easier to take care of.

7. Which is cheaper, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring is usually more budget-friendly compared to engineered hardwood

8. Which flooring lasts longer, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring is typically more resilient against scratches, dents, and water damage compared to engineered hardwood.

9. What do I need to consider when choosing between engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Factors to consider include lifestyle and usage, moisture exposure, budget, aesthetic preference, and maintenance requirements.

10. Can luxury vinyl plank flooring look like real wood?

Yes, luxury vinyl plank flooring can convincingly mimic the look of real wood through advanced printing and embossing techniques.

11. How can I tell the difference between engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring?

Engineered hardwood typically has noticeable wood grains and a warmer, more textured feel underfoot compared to luxury vinyl plank flooring.

12. Which flooring option is easier to maintain, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring tends to require less maintenance as it is resistant to stains, easy to clean, and does not require periodic refinishing like engineered hardwood might.

13. What are the advantages of Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) flooring?

SPC flooring is highly durable, moisture-resistant, provides an authentic hardwood feel underfoot, requires minimal maintenance, and offers superior sound insulation compared to standard luxury vinyl plank.

14. What are the benefits of luxury vinyl plank flooring over engineered hardwood?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring is more budget-friendly, easier to install, and more resilient against scratches, dents, and water damage compared to engineered hardwood.

Conclusion

Each flooring type—engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank—brings unique benefits. Engineered hardwood impresses with its natural elegance, warmth, and value-adding qualities. It’s a timeless option that can be refinished multiple times, proving its durability.

On the other hand, luxury vinyl plank stands out for its supreme durability, water resistance, and affordability. It’s a practical choice that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics, given its vast range of designs that convincingly mimic wood and other materials.

At Cabinets Core, we understand that selecting the right flooring is a crucial decision that impacts your home’s appeal and functionality. With our extensive experience and knowledge, we can guide you toward the best choice for your particular needs, taste, and budget.

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Book your consultation and get a personalized quote for your flooring project! Our team of experts is ready to help transform your space.

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