Hardwood vs luxury vinyl plank: which floor is right for you

Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) can look surprisingly similar once installed. They behave very differently over time. Here is how to choose.

Looks

Hardwood is real wood, with natural variation and depth. Good LVP uses printed and textured layers that imitate wood well, especially from standing height. Up close and underfoot, many people can still tell the difference.

Water

	Hardwood	LVP
Spills	Wipe quickly	Very resistant
Standing water	Can swell and stain	Surface resistant, edges matter
Basements	Usually not recommended	Common choice
Bathrooms	Not recommended	Often fine

If the room sees water, LVP or tile is usually the safer choice.

Durability and repair

Hardwood scratches and dents, but solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished several times. LVP resists scratches well, but a damaged plank must be replaced, and it cannot be refinished.

Comfort and sound

Hardwood feels solid and warm. LVP can feel softer, and some products include an attached pad. Floating floors of either type can sound hollow without good underlayment.

Installation

Solid hardwood is usually nailed to a wood subfloor and often needs time to acclimate. Engineered hardwood and LVP are often floating or glued, and can go over concrete with the right prep. In every case, a flat, dry subfloor is the most important part of the job.

Room by room

• Living room and bedrooms: either works. Hardwood if you want refinishing over decades.
• Kitchen: LVP for water resistance, or engineered hardwood if you are careful with spills.
• Basement: LVP or tile.
• Bathroom: tile or LVP.

Before you decide

Ask an installer to look at the space. Subfloor condition, moisture and room layout often decide the answer before style does.