Which one is right for you?
When it comes to choosing new flooring, homeowners often find themselves comparing three popular options: solid hardwood, engineered wood, and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Each brings its own benefits in terms of look, durability, cost, and where it performs best in the home. Below, we break down the key differences to help you choose the right material for your lifestyle, budget, and space.
Composition
Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like—planks milled from a single piece of natural wood. It offers timeless beauty, warmth, and the ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times. With proper care, it can last for generations.
Hardwood Flooring through 1st floor & kitchen
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood features a real hardwood top layer bonded to layers of plywood or composite material. This layered construction adds stability, helping the flooring better withstand changes in temperature and humidity. You still get the authentic look and feel of wood, but prices can vary.
Engineered Hardwood throughout 1st floor and entryway
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
LVP is a synthetic product designed to mimic wood’s texture and grain with impressive realism. It’s fully waterproof, extremely durable, and built for high-traffic or high-moisture spaces. While it doesn’t offer the refinishing capabilities of real wood, it delivers style and performance at a very accessible price point.
LVP in basementCost, Installation & Durability
Cost
- LVP is typically the most budget-friendly.
- Engineered wood sits in the middle, offering a balance of cost and real-wood appearance, although pricing can certainly vary.
- Solid hardwood is generally the highest investment, both for materials and installation.
Installation
- LVP is the easiest to install and works well over a variety of subfloors.
- Engineered wood can be floated, glued, or nailed, giving installers flexibility.
- Hardwood must be nailed to a wood subfloor and often requires professional installation.
Durability and Maintenance
- Hardwood can be refinished multiple times, offering unmatched longevity.
- Engineered wood performs well long-term; some products with a thicker veneer can be sanded once.
- LVP is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and extremely low maintenance, making it ideal for active families, pets, or moisture-prone areas.
Where Each Option Works Best
Solid Hardwood – best for above-grade, climate-controlled spaces:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Hallways
Engineered Wood – great for areas with moderate humidity or temperature fluctuations:
- Kitchens
- Basements (if conditions are suitable)
- Spaces over radiant heat
- Any room where you want the warmth of real wood but need added stability
LVP (also called Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT) – Ideal for moisture-prone or high-traffic areas. Tile also works great in these spaces and we usually recommend LVP in finished basements:
- Mudrooms
- Bathrooms
- Finished basements
- Laundry rooms
- Busy family spaces
How to Choose the Right One
When we guide clients through flooring selections, we look at three factors:
- Lifestyle (kids, pets, traffic levels)
- Environment (humidity, subfloor type, radiant heat)
- Design goals (plank width, color, overall aesthetic)
In many homes, the best solution is a mix—hardwood in main living spaces, engineered wood where stability matters, and LVP where durability and water resistance are key.
Choosing the right flooring doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. During the design phase, our team at J.P. Hoffman Design Build walks homeowners through each option—hardwood, engineered wood, and LVP—so you understand how each will look, feel, and perform in your home. We help you weigh style, durability, budget, and lifestyle to make a decision with confidence. If you’re ready to explore flooring options for your renovation, we’d love to guide you through the process.
