Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring: Pros, Cons, and Best Uses

This comparison comes up more than any other question we hear at Leicester Flooring. Homeowners walk into our showroom knowing they want the look of wood floors, but they’re torn between the real thing and modern luxury vinyl plank.

Both options can create beautiful homes. Both work well in Western North Carolina’s climate when chosen appropriately. The right answer depends on what matters most to you.

After 50 years of installing both materials throughout Asheville and Hendersonville, we’ve learned exactly when hardwood makes sense and when LVP is the smarter choice. Here’s the honest comparison.

The Core Difference

Hardwood is exactly what it sounds like: real wood harvested from trees, milled into planks, and finished for flooring use. Every board is unique, with natural grain patterns and color variations that no manufacturing process can perfectly replicate.

Luxury vinyl plank is a synthetic product engineered for flooring performance. Modern LVP features high-definition photography and textured surfaces that create remarkably realistic wood appearances. The construction includes multiple layers designed for durability, comfort, and water resistance.

Neither material is inherently better. They serve different purposes and suit different priorities.

Hardwood: Pros and Cons

Hardwood Advantages

Authentic natural beauty. Real wood carries character that comes only from nature. The depth of grain, subtle color variations, and tactile warmth of genuine hardwood create visual richness that even the best LVP can only approximate.

Long-term value and longevity. Quality hardwood floors can last 50-100 years or more with proper care. The ability to refinish solid hardwood 8-10 times and engineered hardwood 2-4 times means your floor can be renewed rather than replaced.

Proven resale appeal. Real hardwood consistently adds value to home sales. Buyers recognize and pay premiums for genuine wood floors, particularly in higher-end markets like many Asheville neighborhoods.

Sustainable when sourced responsibly. Wood is a renewable resource. Many manufacturers we carry, including Shaw and Mohawk, use sustainably harvested lumber. Some products feature Appalachian hardwoods grown right here in our region.

Improves with age. Unlike materials that simply wear down over time, hardwood develops patina and character as it ages. Many homeowners appreciate how their floors evolve over decades.

Hardwood Disadvantages

Higher cost. Quality hardwood runs $5-$15 per square foot for materials alone, plus installation. Entry-level LVP costs significantly less while premium LVP still comes in below comparable hardwood.

Moisture sensitivity. Real wood absorbs moisture and responds with expansion, contraction, and potential damage. Hardwood requires humidity control and shouldn’t be installed in bathrooms or below grade.

More maintenance required. Hardwood needs regular cleaning with appropriate products, humidity management, and eventual refinishing. The maintenance investment is real and ongoing.

Climate considerations in WNC. Asheville’s humidity swings stress hardwood more than in stable climates. Engineered hardwood handles our conditions better than solid, but both require attention to moisture management.

Scratch and dent vulnerability. Despite its durability, hardwood shows scratches from pet claws, dents from dropped items, and wear patterns in high-traffic areas. These marks add character for some homeowners but bother others.

Luxury Vinyl Plank: Pros and Cons

LVP Advantages

Complete waterproof protection. LVP is 100% waterproof. Standing water, spills, pet accidents, and high humidity cause zero damage. This makes LVP appropriate for any room including bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Lower cost with quality appearance. Premium LVP delivers realistic wood looks at $3-$8 per square foot. You get attractive flooring that satisfies most homeowners at significantly lower cost than comparable hardwood.

Minimal maintenance. Sweep, vacuum, and occasionally damp mop. That’s all LVP requires. No special cleaners, no refinishing, no humidity management.

Excellent durability. Quality LVP resists scratches, dents, and stains better than hardwood. Pet claws, kids’ toys, and dropped items rarely cause visible damage.

Comfortable underfoot. The layered construction makes LVP softer and warmer than tile while being easier on your feet and joints than hard materials. Products like COREtec include cork backing that adds notable comfort.

Quiet and temperature stable. LVP stays comfortable in temperature and produces less sound than hard surfaces. The material doesn’t respond to humidity swings the way wood does.

LVP Disadvantages

Cannot be refinished. When LVP eventually wears out or becomes dated, replacement is the only option. You get 15-25 years of use from quality products, then you start over.

Synthetic material. No matter how realistic LVP looks, it’s not real wood. Close inspection reveals the difference. Some homeowners simply prefer knowing they have genuine materials underfoot.

Less proven resale perception. While quality LVP no longer hurts home sales, it doesn’t add value the way hardwood does. Buyers may not pay premiums for LVP the way they do for real wood.

Environmental considerations. LVP is a petroleum-based product that doesn’t decompose. While some manufacturers offer recycling programs, the environmental profile differs from renewable wood.

Can look artificial in bright light. Direct sunlight sometimes reveals the repeating patterns in LVP that distinguish it from natural wood’s random variation. Quality products minimize this, but it can be noticeable.

Direct Comparison: Key Factors

Durability

Winner: LVP for daily resistance, Hardwood for longevity

LVP resists scratches, dents, and moisture better than hardwood in everyday use. Pet claws that would mark hardwood barely affect quality LVP. Spills that would damage wood simply wipe off vinyl.

However, hardwood’s refinishing capability creates decades-long longevity that LVP can’t match. A hardwood floor installed today could serve your grandchildren. LVP will need replacement within a generation.

Appearance

Winner: Hardwood for authenticity, LVP for consistency

Real hardwood delivers natural character that LVP approximates but cannot match. The depth of genuine wood grain, the subtle variations between boards, and the way light plays across a real wood floor create visual richness that manufacturing can’t replicate.

LVP offers consistency that some homeowners prefer. Every plank looks similar, creating uniform appearance without the variation inherent in natural materials.

Cost

Winner: LVP

For equivalent visual appeal, LVP costs significantly less than hardwood. A project that would run $8,000 in engineered hardwood might cost $4,500 in quality LVP. The savings are real and substantial for most budgets.

Maintenance

Winner: LVP

This isn’t close. LVP requires almost no maintenance beyond basic cleaning. Hardwood demands humidity control, specialized cleaning products, and eventual refinishing. The time and cost savings with LVP are significant over the life of the floor.

Water Resistance

Winner: LVP

LVP is completely waterproof. Hardwood is not. For kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and any space where moisture is a concern, LVP eliminates worry entirely.

Resale Value

Winner: Hardwood

Real hardwood adds measurable value to home sales. Quality LVP doesn’t hurt resale, but it doesn’t create the premium that genuine wood commands.

Environmental Impact

Winner: Hardwood (sustainably sourced)

Responsibly harvested wood is a renewable resource that stores carbon. LVP is a petroleum-based product. For environmentally conscious homeowners, this factor favors hardwood.

Best Uses for Each Material

Choose Hardwood When:

You value natural materials. If knowing you have real wood underfoot matters to you, that preference is valid and worth honoring.

Long-term investment is priority. For homes you plan to own for decades, hardwood’s refinishing capability creates value that compounds over time.

Resale value matters. In Asheville’s competitive real estate market, hardwood adds appeal that can influence sale prices.

The installation location stays dry. Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways with controlled humidity suit hardwood beautifully.

You’ll maintain humidity control. Hardwood performs best with consistent indoor humidity. If you’re committed to this maintenance, hardwood rewards the effort.

Choose LVP When:

Moisture resistance is essential. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and entryways benefit from LVP’s waterproof construction.

Budget matters. Quality LVP delivers attractive flooring at lower cost than comparable hardwood.

Low maintenance is priority. If you want beautiful floors without ongoing maintenance investment, LVP delivers.

You have active kids or pets. The scratch and stain resistance of LVP handles family life better than hardwood.

You’re flooring a rental property. LVP’s durability and easy maintenance suit rental applications well.

Can You Mix Both Materials?

Absolutely. Many Asheville homes use hardwood in main living areas and LVP in moisture-prone spaces. This approach captures the benefits of each material where they matter most.

Thoughtful transitions between materials create intentional design rather than awkward compromises. We help homeowners plan these combinations so they look purposeful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell the difference between hardwood and LVP?

In person, close inspection usually reveals the difference. LVP patterns repeat, while hardwood variation is truly random. That said, many guests can’t distinguish quality LVP from real wood without looking closely.

Which is better for dogs?

LVP handles pets better. The scratch resistance protects against claw marks, and the waterproof construction survives accidents without damage.

Will LVP hurt my home’s resale value?

Quality LVP no longer hurts resale. It simply doesn’t add the premium that hardwood commands. Buyers increasingly accept LVP as a practical, attractive flooring choice.

Is hardwood worth the extra cost?

That depends on your priorities. If you value natural materials, plan long-term ownership, and will maintain humidity control, hardwood rewards the investment. If you prioritize low maintenance and moisture resistance, LVP delivers better value.

Which lasts longer?

Hardwood can last 50-100+ years with refinishing. LVP typically lasts 15-25 years before replacement. Hardwood wins on longevity, but LVP’s lower cost means replacing it twice might still cost less than one hardwood installation.

Can I install hardwood in my kitchen?

Engineered hardwood can work in kitchens with precautions. Solid hardwood carries more risk. Many homeowners prefer LVP in kitchens for worry-free performance.

Make the Right Choice for Your Home

Both hardwood and LVP can create beautiful, functional floors. The right choice depends on your budget, your priorities, and how each room in your home gets used.

At Leicester Flooring, we carry quality options in both categories. Our American-made hardwood from Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington, and Anderson Tuftex offers exceptional beauty and durability. Our COREtec luxury vinyl collection provides waterproof performance with realistic wood aesthetics.

Visit our Asheville or Hendersonville showroom to see both materials side by side. Touch the textures. Compare the looks. Our team will help you understand which option fits your situation without pushing you toward either one.

Schedule your free in-home measure and let 50 years of local experience guide your decision.