Choose hardwood for living areas where you want real wood, long-term value, and the option to refinish. Choose luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for kitchens, basements, mudrooms, and homes with pets or kids, where water and scratches are a daily fact of life. Engineered hardwood sits in between.
Side by side
| Solid hardwood | Engineered hardwood | Luxury vinyl plank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Real wood all the way through | Real wood layer over a stable core | Printed vinyl with a clear wear layer |
| Water | Wipe spills quickly | More stable, still wood on top | Most have a waterproof core |
| Scratches and dents | Can scratch; can be sanded out | Can scratch; limited sanding | Resists scratches; can't be sanded |
| Refinishing | Many times over its life | Depends on wood layer thickness | No, worn planks are replaced |
| Basements | Usually not recommended | Often a good fit | A great fit |
| Resale appeal | Premium feature for buyers | Reads as real wood | Clean, modern, practical |
| Budget | Higher | Mid to high | Usually lowest |
When hardwood is the right call
Hardwood is the long game. It feels warmer and more solid underfoot, buyers see it as a premium feature, and when it wears out you sand and refinish it instead of tearing it out. It's a natural fit for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
The trade-offs: it doesn't like standing water, and in New England it expands and shrinks with the seasons, so small gaps in dry winter months are normal. Pets' nails will scratch the finish over time.
When engineered hardwood makes sense
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer bonded to a stable core, so it moves less with humidity than solid wood. That makes it a good option where solid wood is risky, such as over concrete or in some below-grade spaces, depending on the product. How many times it can be refinished depends on how thick that top layer is.
When LVP wins
Luxury vinyl plank is built for real life. Most products have a waterproof core, the surface resists scratches, and it installs quickly, often as a floating floor that clicks together. That makes it a smart choice for:
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Basements and finished lower levels
- Mudrooms and entryways that see wet boots
- Homes with dogs, cats, and kids
The catch: LVP can't be refinished. When the wear layer is worn through, the planks get replaced. Quality varies a lot, so look at the wear layer thickness, the core, and the warranty, not just the look of the sample.
Mixing floors in one house
Plenty of homes use both: hardwood in the main living spaces and LVP in the kitchen, mudroom, and basement. The key is planning the transitions between rooms so the change looks intentional.
What drives the cost
- The material you choose
- Square footage and the layout of the rooms
- Removing the old floor, including carpet
- Subfloor prep and any repairs found underneath
- Baseboards, trim, stairs, and transitions
Learn more about how we handle installs on our hardwood and LVP installation page, or request a free estimate below and we'll walk through the options in your home.