Both waterproof engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring offer a number of great benefits that have made them increasingly popular choices for homeowners all over the country. Chances are you’ve been to homes that have these types of flooring, and if you’re considering installing new flooring in your home, it’s important to understand how they compare to each other so that you can decide for yourself which one might be best for you.
Every homeowner is different and has different stylistic preferences and durability needs, but whether you have pets and small children running around or simply live by yourself, here is everything you need to know about waterproof hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl plank flooring.
What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is an excellent flooring option for homeowners who want to achieve a look similar to that of traditional hardwood on a smaller budget.
Instead of fully wood planks, engineered hardwood consists of multiple different layers. While some engineered hardwoods can differ in construction, most have three layers, including a top wear layer, an inner core layer, and a bottom layer, all of which work together to make an incredibly durable and attractive flooring material.
The top wear layer of engineered hardwood is responsible for its classic look and much of its durability. This layer is made from a real hardwood veneer, which is what makes it almost entirely indistinguishable from real hardwood floors. This veneer also offers significant protection against scratches, scuffs, and discoloration.
The core layer of engineered hardwood is usually made from either plywood or fiberboard, which significantly lowers the price of engineered hardwood, especially when compared to traditional hardwood. This layer is also much less porous than hardwood, increasing its resistance to water and preventing warping.
One important thing to remember is that most engineered hardwoods are only water resistant, but there are some completely waterproof options available if you look hard enough. It is worth noting, however, that waterproof engineered hardwood tends to be on the more expensive side of the engineered hardwood spectrum.
What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Luxury vinyl plank is another great flooring choice for any homeowner who wants to achieve an attractive hardwood look on a budget. Just like engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank flooring also features a multiple-layer construction, though none of them actually consists of real hardwood.
The top layer of luxury vinyl plank is a vinyl film wear layer that offers excellent protection against scratches, scuffs, and moisture. Under this wear layer is a pattern or print layer, which is what gives luxury vinyl plank its attractive look. This print layer can be made to look like any type of wood, offering an incredible amount of design flexibility.
Under the top two layers is a core layer made from a composite material like wood plastic composite (WPC) or stone plastic composite (SPC). This layer increases the strength and durability of luxury vinyl plank without negatively impacting its affordability.
All of this sits on top of a bottom backing layer, which usually consists of cork or some other similar material. This layer further increases luxury vinyl plank’s stability while also providing significant noise and temperature insulation.
How do They Compare: Waterproof Engineered Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl Plank
Both waterproof engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank are excellent flooring options that any homeowners looking to install new flooring should consider, but the one that might be best for you depends on your specific flooring needs.
If you’re more concerned with accurately emulating the look of hardwood flooring, waterproof engineered hardwood is easily the best option, though it still has its drawbacks when compared to luxury vinyl plank flooring.
The best luxury vinyl flooring options are generally more durable than engineered hardwood, offering superior levels of scratch, scuff, and water resistance. Luxury vinyl flooring also tends to be much cheaper and easier to install than engineered hardwood, so if price is a serious consideration, luxury vinyl plank is probably the way to go.
Luxury Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring with Pets
Pets can add a ton of extra wear and tear to the floors in a home, and while both engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl flooring are great options for homes with pets, laminate flooring also offers many of the same benefits for pet owners.
Laminate flooring has a layered construction that is very similar to that of luxury vinyl plank, with the main difference being that the top layer is laminate instead of vinyl. This offers superior protection against everyday wear and tear when you compare it to luxury vinyl plank, making laminate great for high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
Luxury vinyl planks, on the other hand, tend to offer much better protection against water as all luxury vinyl planks are entirely waterproof and not merely water resistant like laminate flooring tends to be.
At the end of the day, both of these options are great for homes with pets, and there’s really no clear winner here. It’s all up to your own preferences and which one you think better fits your current flooring needs.
Contact My Dad’s Flooring Today
Are you looking to install new engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, or laminate flooring in your home? Give us a call at (610) 935-2226 or contact us on our website, mydadsflooring.com.
Our team is always here to answer your questions, and we’ll happily tell you more about how all these flooring options compare so that you can more easily decide which flooring option is right for you. We even offer free samples so that you can get a hands-on look at all of your favorites before you decide which one you like best.
New flooring can go a long way to transforming the look and feel of any home, so don’t push off starting your next flooring installation project any longer. Contact My Dad’s Flooring and get the new beautiful floors you’ve always wanted today!