Both waterproof engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank are great flooring options for anyone who wants to get the same great look as hardwood without paying the hardwood price. This means that if you’re thinking about installing new flooring in your home, both of these options should be high on your list of considerations, but how do you know which one is the best choice for you?
While both of these options have their benefits and drawbacks, there’s really no clear choice as to which one is better. It’s all up to personal opinion, so you`’ll need to understand more about how these two flooring options differ before you can make an educated decision.
If you’re in the market for new flooring, and you are considering waterproof engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank, here is everything you need to know to figure out which one might be the best choice for you home.

What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Plank, often simply referred to as LVP, is a type of flooring that has become increasingly popular for its affordability and ability to mimic the look of hardwood.
As the name suggests, this type of flooring comes in planks that resemble standard hardwood. The main difference is the composition of each plank.
LVP is made of four different layers, starting with a bottom layer made of rigid vinyl, on top of which sits a design layer that can be made to look like any variety of different types of wood including maple, hickory, oak and more. The top two layers then consist of a transparent film and an aluminum oxide coating that protects the flooring from damage including scratches, smudges, ripping, and tearing,
What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Engineered hardwood is similar to LVP in that it also contains layers, but the composition of its layers are much different than those of LVP. Instead of mimicking the look of hardwood with a design layer, engineered hardwood uses a thin layer of real wood.
This combination of using real wood on top of a backing layer of plywood allows engineered hardwood to come with many of the same benefits as LVP while also more closely imitating the look and feel of real hardwood.
How Does Luxury Flooring Compare to Waterproof Engineered Hardwood?
Simply knowing what these flooring materials are made of isn’t enough to know which one might be best for your home. You also need to know all about how these two materials will perform in the long run.
Choosing new flooring for your home is a big deal and a significant investment, so if you’re still not sure which option you want for your home, here is everything you need to know about how LVP and engineered hardwood compare to each other.

Design
When it comes to design, there’s really no beating engineered hardwood. While LVP is great at imitating the look of hardwood, nothing beats the real thing, so if you truly want the closest thing you can get to hardwood, engineered hardwood is undoubtedly the better choice.
Ease of Installation
Both LVP and engineered hardwood are generally pretty easy to install, but LVP does tend to be slightly easier. LVP is easy to cut with a standard utility knife and features edges that snap together meaning that you don’t need to use any nails or glue to attach it to the subfloor below.
While determined DIYers will have no problem installing either option, if you’re looking for something that is as quick and easy to install as possible, LVP is probably the better option for you.
Cost
Considering that engineered hardwood contains real wood, it’s no surprise that LVP is the cheaper option as well. Engineered hardwood generally costs anywhere from $3-20 dollars per square foot while LVP usually comes in at around $1-10, so the upfront costs will almost certainly be more manageable with LVP.
This cost difference is compounded even more when you think about installation costs. Whether you decide to install your flooring yourself or hire a professional, LVP is the quicker and easier material to install, which allows you to cut down on labor time and costs.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, both of these flooring options are basically the same. Both LVP and engineered hardwood require little maintenance and are easy to clean with a broom, mop, or vacuum.
Water Resistance
LVP again takes the edge when it comes to water resistance. Almost all LVP flooring is completely waterproof making cleaning up spills about as easy as can be. This makes LVP a particularly great choice for parts of the home that may see more exposure to water like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Engineered hardwood on the other hand isn’t usually waterproof but does fare better at resisting water than standard hardwood flooring.
Durability
Both LVP and engineered hardwood are incredibly durable, but they aren’t necessarily durable in the same way. For example, LVP is great at resisting scratches making it ideal for homes with pets or small children who like to run around.
Engineered hardwood is stronger and better at preventing dents from heavy furniture or fallen objects. You can also refinish engineered hardwood when it starts to wear down, adding to its longevity and in a lot of cases makes it much easier to justify the higher price.

Contact My Dad’s Flooring Today
Do you want to install new flooring in your home? Give us a call at (610) 935-2226 or contact us on our website, mydadsflooring.com. Our team of friendly flooring experts is always here to answer questions and will happily take the time to listen to your needs so that we can walk you through all the best options. We even offer free samples so that you can get your hands on the materials to help you make your final decision.
Don’t push off installing the beautiful new flooring you’ve always wanted for your home. Contact My Dad’s Flooring and take the first step toward getting the brand new flooring of your dreams today!
