Vinyl flooring is an affordable option for any home renovation project because it’s long-lasting and easy to install. There are many stylish choices in vinyl plank floors available today, but there are also some differences between hardwood and vinyl planks that you should be aware of before making your purchase.
Ten differences between the two:
- Hardwood flooring is more expensive. This isn’t to say that vinyl planks are cheap, but hardwood typically costs about three to four times as much per square foot compared to vinyl plank flooring.
- Vinyl flooring is available in a wider variety of styles and colors. If you’re open to other alternatives, there are many options available for vinyl flooring that mimic the look of hardwood.
- Vinyl flooring is easier to install. This is because vinyl planks come with tongue-and-groove edges, which means they snap together like puzzle pieces.
- Vinyl flooring is more versatile. In addition to laying vinyl planks on the ground, you can also use them as a wall covering or for countertops and other surfaces in your home.
- Vinyl flooring is less likely to scratch. Because of its protective coating, vinyl plank flooring won’t be as susceptible to damage from regular foot traffic, and furniture like hardwood floors will.
- Vinyl plank flooring is easier to clean. Because it doesn’t have a natural wood finish, you can use all of the cleaning products that are recommended for your home without worrying about damage or discoloration from chemicals and water.
- Vinyl flooring is more resistant to moisture. Hardwood floors are highly susceptible to damage from water leaks. Still, vinyl plank flooring is protected with a special coating that allows it to withstand most spills without absorbing too much liquid or warping the surface underneath.
- Vinyl plank flooring is more durable. You can drop heavy items on vinyl planks without worrying about crevices or grooves that could cause the wood to crack, split, or warp over time.
This same durability makes it easier to move furniture around because you won’t scratch your floors in the process!
- Vinyl plank flooring is easier to fix if it’s damaged. If you drop something heavy on your vinyl planks, the damage will be more or less limited to that spot rather than causing irreparable harm like with hardwood floors.
You can also replace individual pieces of damaged vinyl without having to start over from scratch in larger sections of space finally, if you damage your vinyl planks in a high-traffic area that can’t be easily replaced or repaired without disrupting the flow of foot traffic in your home.
You’re better off tearing it out and installing new flooring because there’s no way to patch up an unsightly scratch or hole as you could with hardwood flooring.
- Hardwood flooring has better soundproofing. Vinyl planks are less likely to absorb sounds, which means you’ll hear more noise from your neighbors and the street when walking around on bare feet or soft shoes on vinyl flooring compared to hardwood floors.
In conclusion, it’s essential to be aware of the differences between vinyl planks and hardwood flooring. Vinyl plank flooring can mimic many different looks, including wood, so if you’re not sure whether or not you want to commit to a natural-looking floor, this may be the best choice for your home.
