Wood vs. vinyl vs. laminate flooring
Compare popular flooring options on cost, durability and care
If you watch house-hunting shows, you’ve probably seen prospective buyers light up at the sight of hardwood. If you watch renovation shows, though, you’ll also see how expensive it can actually be to install a brand-new hardwood floor.
In recent years, vinyl and laminate flooring have evolved, with options that mimic the look of hardwood at a more palatable price. Before you opt for either of these three flooring options, however, it’s important to understand the differences and benefits of each.
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Vinyl | Laminate | Wood | |
---|---|---|---|
Cost | $1 to $5 per square foot | $1 to $11 per square foot | $3 to $13 per square foot |
Installation cost | $1.50 to $2.75 per square foot | $1 to $3 per square foot | $4 to $8 per square foot |
Life span | 5 to 25 years | 15 to 25 years | 50 to 100+ years |
Recommended for | Anywhere | Dining room, living room, bedrooms, home office | Dining room, living room, bedrooms, home office |
Vinyl flooring
Many homeowners love the look of hardwood but balk at the price and the cost of installation. In turn, many are opting for vinyl flooring instead. This synthetic, petroleum-based material can easily be printed with designs, leading to the creation of a wide selection of vinyl flooring that can very closely mimic the look of hardwood — but at a lower cost.
From vinyl tile to vinyl plank, there’s probably a vinyl flooring that could work in any room of your home. The waterproof nature of vinyl means it can work even in bathrooms and kitchens, and even luxury vinyl is affordable and accessible to many homeowners.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install and maintain
- Great in any room
Cons
- Can be scratched or dented
- Not environmentally friendly
- Hard on feet
Cost
When it comes to the cost of vinyl flooring, it’s one of the most affordable options out there. Quality vinyl flooring tends to fall in a range of $2 to $5 per square foot. However, for bargain vinyl, you can find prices as low as $1 per square foot.
Professional installation is also affordable for vinyl flooring. Because it’s so simple to install, many homeowners choose to do it themselves, saving even more money without sacrificing the look of their flooring.
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Durability
As with traditional wood flooring, vinyl flooring is not immune to damage, however. While it does include a wear layer that helps it stay fairly resilient under normal traffic, it can still get scratched up and dinged. However, the ease with which you can replace a board means you can repair your flooring in a weekend, if needed.
Another great thing about this flooring option is that it typically includes a warranty. Depending on the manufacturer, you could have anywhere from a 5- to 20-year — or longer — warranty.
The best part about vinyl flooring is that the pieces themselves are completely waterproof. No matter which room you’re flooring, there’s likely a vinyl option that will meet your design needs.
Cleaning and maintenance
Installation
Laminate flooring
Known for its easy installation, laminate flooring continues to provide a more durable option than hardwood. Although it first rose to popularity decades ago, it continues to be a viable option, thanks to the advancements in manufacturing in recent years.
If you want a long-lasting flooring option, laminate should be one of the first options you consider. Depending on the type of laminate flooring — laminate plank, for example — you can enjoy your laminate flooring for decades.
Although there are benefits to laminate flooring, like enjoying the look of hardwood on a budget, it does come with limitations. Because nearly all laminate flooring is made from a wood-based, fiberboard core, it doesn’t tolerate water well; it’s not ideal for a bathroom or kitchen.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Can be scratched
- If top layer is damaged, the plank must be replaced
Cost
The cost of laminate is comparable to that of vinyl. At about $1 to $11 per square foot, it’s pretty affordable, and there are tons of options to choose from in an array of styles. You can find the look you want at just about any price point.
To save on your new laminate flooring, you can do the installation by yourself fairly easily. However, if you’d like to outsource the work, you can expect to pay between $1 and $3 per square foot. That puts your overall cost between $2 and $14 per square foot, which isn’t bad for flooring that can last 10 to 25 years.
Durability
As for stains, the top layer of aluminum oxide covers several layers of pressure-laminated material, so in general, vinyl has excellent stain resistance. If you’re worried about younger family members drawing on the floors, laminate is a great option.
Because the core of laminate flooring is wood, it doesn’t hold up well to moisture — so it’s not a great option for the kitchen, bathroom or any room with frequent moisture.
Cleaning and maintenance
As for maintenance, laminate flooring is fairly easy to take care of. With basic cleaning habits, you can keep your laminate flooring looking great for years. However, if the top layer is scratched, it can’t be repaired. It’s a good idea to keep a couple of boxes of your laminate flooring on hand in the event you need to replace a plank in the future.
Installation
Engineered wood flooring
A step away from solid hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring, also known as engineered hardwood, is a more affordable wood flooring option. If you really love the feel and look of wood but you have concerns about the installation and cost of a solid hardwood floor, you might go with an engineered wood floor.
Engineered wood flooring is actually composed of wood; it’s made with a thin layer of wood veneer on top of layers of lower-grade wood. With the veneer glued to the top, you can have the look of your favorite hardwood for a lower price.
Pros
- Less expensive than solid hardwood
- Easy to clean
- Option for DIY installation
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as solid hardwood
- Not moisture-resistant
- Easily scratched or gouged
Cost
A huge benefit of engineered wood flooring is the cost in comparison to solid hardwood. For materials, you’ll wind up spending between $2.50 and $10 per square foot, depending on the quality and thickness of the veneer.
One way to save on your engineered wood floor is to get a click-lock option so you can do the installation by yourself. If you decide to have a professional install it, expect to pay the national average of $2.64 to $3.47 per square foot.
Durability
An important difference in the durability of engineered wood flooring comes from how many times it can be resanded and refinished. Because the top veneer is so thin, you can only have this revitalization project done once or twice. This means your engineered wood floor won’t last as long as a solid wood floor, but you can plan on enjoying it for about 20 to 30 years.
If you have pets or rambunctious kids, you might consider one of the other flooring options. Long claws or a careless child could scratch up your engineered wood floor, and once you’re out of refinishing chances, the marks are permanent.
Cleaning and maintenance
As with solid hardwood flooring, you’ll need to plan to renew the varnish of your engineered wood flooring every few years. If there are deeper scratches in the floor, have it resanded and refinished if you can.
Installation
Solid hardwood flooring
The ultimate in luxury flooring is solid hardwood. The difference between engineered wood flooring and solid hardwood flooring is in the composition of the boards. With solid hardwood flooring, it’s hardwood all the way through rather than a hardwood veneer, even if it’s prefinished.
Today, not all solid wood flooring is made of hardwood. Softwoods like bamboo are quickly rivaling the old classics like oak in popularity. Regardless of the type of wood you choose, a solid wood floor is a great way to boost your home’s value and add some natural warmth to your aesthetic.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Easily scratched or gouged
- Requires revarnishing and refinishing every few years
Cost
Because of the acclaim and prestige of solid wood flooring, you will have to pay a higher price for it. For materials, the average is between $3 and $13 per square foot — the range is wide due to the variety of wood options available. For installation, you should budget about $4 to $8 per square foot.
Another thing to consider is how long this flooring will last. Rather than having to pay for a new floor in 10 to 20 years, this could be the last floor you install in your home. A solid wood floor is more likely a one-time cost, though you do have to take revarnishing and refinishing into consideration.
Durability
That said, one of the biggest draws for homeowners choosing between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring is the longevity of solid wood. A solid wood floor can be resanded and refinished several times in its lifetime, while engineered wood flooring can accommodate this only once or twice.
Cleaning and maintenance
Because wood floors don’t tolerate moisture, only mop the floors with a damp mop while using a wood cleaner. Every few years, plan to renew the varnish. Expect to resand and refinish your solid wood floor at least a few times in the next 30 to 100 years.
Installation
Solid wood floors are installed using a tongue-and-groove system in which the boards are blind-nailed through the tongues into the floor. Because of this system of installation, solid wood floors aren’t recommended for use over concrete subfloors.
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