What is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is made of plastic and comes in sheets or tiles. It is water and scratch-resistant. It is also more budget-friendly than hardwood and is usually installed in kitchens. The surface is easy to clean and can last 5–15 years.
Types of Vinyl Floors
There are many types of vinyl flooring available. Some of their popular types include:
Sheet Vinyl
They are the thinnest and come in a roll. The rolls can be easily cut to the right size. Since sheet vinyl can be easily rolled and applied, it is an ideal option for large areas. However, seams may form with time, which can spoil the aesthetics of the room.
Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl is thicker than sheet vinyl. They are waterproof, scratch-resistant and do not wear off easily, making them perfect for use on any flooring surface. They are also called luxury vinyl plank or LVP. They mimic the appearance of wood or stone.
Vinyl Tiles
These are squares or planks that are installed with a self-adhesive backing. They come in various styles and lay their own seams when placed. They are the thickest of the three and suitable for areas with more footfall.
What is Hardwood Flooring?
Hardwood floorings are made through milling techniques using oak, maple, cherry, walnut and timber. It has small and large grain sizes and comes in different shades or tone variations.
They come in various plank widths and lengths. They can be screwed or hammered down to a floor, stapled or glued down. Scratches or stains can be worked over by refinishing the flooring, although it might take some time.
Types of Hardwood Floors
There are also 4 distinct types of hardwood flooring used, which include:
Solid
These models are of the highest quality and are costlier than other hardwood floorings.
Semi-Processed
These have plywood with a layer of wood veneer on top. They are less flexible than solid wood but suitable for various applications due to their stability.
Bamboo
They also offer a flexible finish and are firm. They are easy to install as they have a tongue and groove edge mechanism. However, they are prone to water damage.
Laminate
They have a colored photographic layer with a clear thermoplastic layer to simulate timber. They are very affordable and offer good flexibility.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl and Hardwood Flooring
The following table will help you understand the pros and cons of both vinyl and hardwood flooring:
Now that we know about vinyl vs engineered hardwood, let's look at the considerations we need to take into account when deciding which one to buy.
Which is Better: Hardwood or Vinyl Plank Flooring
The right flooring for you depends on your budget and lifestyle. These factors can help you determine the difference between vinyl and hardwood flooring and which one should you go for:
- Footfall: Opt for vinyl flooring if you’re expecting a crowd to be present or higher footfall in general. These can be easily replaced if damaged. You can opt for hardwood flooring if you want a more cozy atmosphere.
- Weight of Objects Kept: Opt for hardwood flooring if heavy objects are kept or moved into and out of the room, as hardwood flooring has a higher hardness rating as compared to vinyl flooring.
- Investment Term: If you’re planning a long-term investment in flooring, hardwood would be a good choice, as it comes with a warranty of almost 50 years to a lifetime. Opt for vinyl flooring if you plan on changing the flooring in 15-20 years.
- Ease of Setup: If you want to easily and quickly set up your flooring, vinyl is a suitable choice due to its glue-on or clip-on methods. Choose hardwood flooring if you have the time to nail it to the ground.
- Budget: If budget is a factor, you can choose vinyl flooring, however, if you want premium-looking floors without any budget constraints, hardwood flooring would be the right pick.
Combining all these factors will determine the right floor from LVP vs hardwood.