Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Flooring
If you’ve seen luxury vinyl flooring, you know it can look nearly identical to hardwood flooring. What you may not know is why some homeowners choose luxury vinyl plank flooring and others choose hardwood.
So what exactly is luxury vinyl? It’s certainly not the vinyl kitchen flooring many of us remember from childhood. That was typically sheet vinyl, which exists today (albeit in much more beautiful patterns and colors than in decades past), and it’s an entirely different product.
Luxury vinyl typically comes in plank and tile. For comparison’s sake, we’re going to focus on luxury vinyl plank flooring, which looks similar to hardwood flooring.
Why Choose Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Here at SMART Carpet and Flooring, we carry a wide variety of luxury vinyl plank. It’s a popular option for homeowners with many different tastes and styles, and for good reason: There’s a luxury vinyl plank flooring option for just about every room, every home, and every price point.
Easy to maintain, luxury vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant and durable (it is, after all, vinyl). It comes in a variety of high fashion colors, allowing homeowners to stay on trend year after year. One of our favorite brands is Floorte™ Classico by Shaw® Floors, which is available in 17 different patterns--15 hardwood patterns, a light gray marble, and a light neutral sandstone pattern. Some of our favorite Classico patterns include Antico, Chiatta, and Pontile, which all give the look of reclaimed wood to your kitchen or dining room floor; for an updated, high-end look in the bathroom, try Classico in Blanco or Grigio, which both impart a rich stone look.
Is Hardwood Flooring Dead?
Absolutely not. Luxury vinyl plank flooring can do a fantastic job of looking like your favorite hardwood flooring, but if you’re one of the many homeowners who just love the look and feel of real wood underfoot, you’re going to want to choose hardwood flooring.
Hardwood remains a perennial favorite because it adds value to a home. Homeowners often choose to invest in hardwood flooring because it is considered a permanent fixture. Properly installed and cared for, it typically lasts longer than luxury vinyl plank flooring, and today’s hardwood flooring is available in lovely fashion styles, colors and widths across a variety of hardwood species.
Here at SMART Carpet and Flooring, we’re obviously big fans of hardwood flooring, but two of our favorites at the moment are Mirage Classic solid prefinished hardwood floors, available in seven finishes ranging from the near-midnight Graphite to the blonde Rio, and Armstrong® American Scrape® Hickory, also available in nine finishes from the espresso-colored Western Mountain to the light warm tones of Natural.
Bottom Line: They’re Both Winners
So which flooring type is right for you? Homeowners looking for a water-resistant flooring will want to look at luxury vinyl plank; those who prefer a classic flooring or who want to invest in their home’s value will want to look at hardwood floors. Here at SMART Carpet and Flooring, we highly recommend both luxury vinyl plank and hardwood, simply because both will update and revitalize the look and feel of your home. If you’re not sure which one would work best for your home, give us a call and one of our flooring experts will bring the mobile showroom to you!