LVP vs. Engineered Hardwood: What is the Distinction?

LVP and engineered hardwood flooring are each prized for having a hardwood-like take a look at a lower cost level. So, how do you select between LVP vs engineered hardwood? Studying the important thing variations between engineered hardwood and LVP flooring, in addition to the professionals and cons, will show you how to make an knowledgeable selection to your residence’s subsequent flooring materials.

Beneath, we have in contrast LVP and engineered hardwood, highlighted their variations, professionals and cons, and defined how every flooring possibility differs from conventional hardwood flooring.

What Is LVP Flooring?

LVP flooring, or luxurious vinyl plank flooring, is a multi-layer, plank-style materials constructed from vinyl. The seen portion of LVP flooring consists of a transparent protecting layer overlaying a printed picture of wooden known as the design layer, which makes wood-look LVP a convincing imitation of stable hardwood flooring after set up. A layer of aluminum oxide on prime protects the flooring from scratches.

The “P” in LVP is there to tell apart LVP from different in style vinyl flooring choices like sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring is a laminated, plank-style flooring. Most engineered flooring choices include a put on layer of stable hardwood sitting atop thicker layers of plywood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard).

The hardwood put on layer makes engineered hardwood look practically similar to stable hardwood, because it’s the one seen portion after set up. The plywood backing provides the planks a thick profile whereas reducing prices and using supplies which will in any other case be wasted.

Fundamental Variations Between LVP and Engineered Hardwood

Each engineered hardwood flooring and LVP flooring can create a ravishing and sturdy ground to swimsuit a wide range of wants. Nonetheless, it is the variations between LVP and engineered flooring that may finest decide which is correct to your residence.

The primary distinction between engineered hardwood flooring and LVP are supplies from which they’re made. Engineered hardwood flooring is made out of wooden, whereas LVP is manufactured from vinyl. Naturally, this impacts every part from the look and feeling underfoot to the efficiency and longevity.

Set up

LVP flooring is mostly thought-about simpler to put in than engineered hardwood flooring. Nonetheless, if in case you have the proper instruments and DIY prowess, each flooring choices could be put in with out skilled assist.

The rationale vinyl plank flooring has a barely simpler set up is that it may be minimize to size with a utility knife. Then, it may be put in as a snap-together floating ground, which means you do not have to nail or adhere it to the subfloor in any method. There are click-lock iterations of engineered hardwood as effectively, however that is sometimes reserved for skinny profile varieties.

Conventional engineered hardwood set up makes use of a tongue-and-groove edge identical to its stable hardwood counterpart. Such a engineered flooring is designed to be nailed down or glued down, which provides a small layer of issue and will increase the set up time considerably.

Value

Engineered hardwood flooring is dearer than LVP flooring, with common prices starting from $3 to $20 per sq. foot. LVP flooring can usually be discovered from $1 to $10 per sq. foot.

With each flooring supplies, you’ll be able to usually anticipate the next value to characterize greater efficiency and an extended lifespan, although this is not at all times the case. Alternatively, spending much less might end in a decrease resale worth.

As talked about above, many people select to put in their very own LVP flooring, whereas engineered hardwood set up is usually left to the professionals. This equates to added prices related to engineered hardwood flooring, as set up can as a lot as double your value per sq. foot relying available on the market you are in and the kind of engineered flooring used.

Upkeep

LVP is barely simpler to keep up than engineered hardwood flooring, however each flooring choices are thought-about simple to keep up. The cleansing course of is mostly the identical for each forms of flooring, as each could be swept, vacuumed, and wet-mopped. Nonetheless, it is a good suggestion to make use of a minimal quantity of water when mopping engineered hardwood flooring.

At any time when making an attempt to make use of cleansing brokers on LVP and engineered hardwood flooring, at all times seek the advice of the producer’s directions earlier than utilizing them. In the event you can not entry the producer’s directions or are unaware of the producer, at all times check the product in an not easily seen space earlier than utilizing it on the whole thing of the ground.

Design

Each LVP and engineered hardwood do a improbable job of mimicking stable hardwood flooring. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re after the closest imitation of stable hardwood, engineered hardwood has the sting.

In truth, the untrained eye could have a really exhausting time telling engineered hardwood and stable hardwood aside after set up. This is because of engineered hardwood’s use of stable hardwood. Whereas LVP’s hardwood look comes within the type of an image, engineered hardwood’s seen layer is precise hardwood.

Whether or not you select LVP or engineered hardwood, each supplies can be found in an array of finishes, wooden species, and widths. Most engineered hardwood is pre-finished, however you should buy unfinished engineered hardwood and apply your individual end after set up.

Water Resistance

LVP is extra waterproof than engineered hardwood. In truth, many LVP flooring choices are 100% waterproof. This makes them ultimate for areas which will see water, corresponding to kitchens, loos, and basements.

As a result of LVP is manufactured from vinyl, water is not a priority for the flooring materials itself. The better concern is water penetrating the flooring and reaching the subfloor. Because of this, waterproof LVP planks are designed to be impenetrable when put in appropriately.

Engineered hardwood flooring is not waterproof, however most varieties can stand as much as water higher than stable hardwood. That is because of the plywood layers, that are extra dimensionally steady than stable hardwood, which means they increase and contract much less when uncovered to water. Nonetheless, engineered hardwood should not be your first selection for areas that see a whole lot of water.

Longevity

Engineered hardwood flooring lasts longer than LVP flooring because of the truth that engineered hardwood could be refinished as soon as it begins to indicate ugly put on and tear, whereas LVP can not. That is because of the stable hardwood that makes up the seen put on layer on the prime of an engineered hardwood plank.

The hardwood put on layer of engineered hardwood could be anyplace from 2mm to 10mm thick. The thicker the damage layer that engineered hardwood flooring has, the extra it may be refinished. Nonetheless, no engineered hardwood could be refinished as many occasions as stable hardwood, as you may ultimately sand by means of the damage layer.

Excessive-quality engineered hardwood flooring that has been correctly cared for and professionally refinished might final so long as 50 years or extra. As a result of they can not be refinished, an LVP ground’s lifespan is decided by how rapidly it wears out.

For lower-end LVP choices, you should not anticipate to get greater than 5 to 10 years out of a ground, whereas higher-end LVP choices might final nearer to twenty to 30 years.

Sturdiness

Engineered hardwood and LVP are each sturdy flooring choices however in several methods. Engineered hardwood stands as much as dents and divots greater than LVP, whereas LVP can usually rise up higher to scratches.

So, if in case you have youngsters or pets with lengthy nails, LVP could also be a wiser funding than engineered hardwood. Quite the opposite, if you happen to want a ground that may maintain as much as heavy furnishings and different objects, engineered hardwood flooring is as much as the duty.

LVP vs. Engineered Hardwood: Which Is Higher?

So, which is best: LVP or engineered hardwood? Neither.

LVP flooring is finest for many who want extra water resistance or one thing that may stand as much as pets and youngsters. It is also ultimate for these with a decent finances. Engineered hardwood flooring is finest for many who need one thing that very carefully matches the look of hardwood flooring whereas providing the identical underfoot feeling.