The hardwood solutions come from the natural tree. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and straightforward to install and water-resistant flooring option, you should choose vinyl. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an elegant, natural luxury flooring option, then hardwood is the ideal choice. Here in this article, you’ll know the difference between hardwood and vinyl flooring?
Hardwood can be a good option for the appearance of hardwood for your home. There are, in fact, various manufactured products, such as vinyl wood flooring. In addition, there are some inherent characteristics of wood flooring which no manufacturing process can truly replicate. You are welcome to use rugs to keep your vinyl flooring clean. This reduces wear and tear and will ensure long-lasting use. If your vinyl flooring starts becoming dull, you can purchase wax-free polishes to bring back the shine.
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a well-known synthetic flooring option. It is made by putting together many layers of different materials, such as polyvinyl chloride. Then they stamp the vinyl using natural wood marks. Although they’re made from similar components, the method of producing the tiles differs, which is why they can have different outcomes.
The majority of homeowners today use vinyl floors in preference to other kinds of flooring due to their cost-effectiveness. It’s also fairly strong and easy to maintain. Do not mix the vinyl floor with laminate flooring. While both are made of similar layers, they are made of distinct materials and characteristics.
What is hardwood flooring?
Hardwood is a long-lasting natural floor surface that comes from different wood species, ranging from oak, maple and cherry, to mahogany walnut and ash. Therefore, there is no need to combine wood pieces with other substances when creating the flooring.
All over the world, homeowners have used hardwood for long periods. This is likely due to its flexibility and undeniable aesthetic appeal. However, it’s also an excellent choice for those who want an original floor option. Furthermore, hardwood increases the value of a home. This makes it the ideal choice when you wish to reap substantial profits from your next house sale.
Vinyl flooring vs hardwood comparison chart:
Feature |
Vinyl flooring |
Hardwood floor |
Material |
Polyvinyl chloride (pvc) | Hardwoods |
Installation |
Simple and affordable | Complex and expensive |
Cosmetics, appearance, and aesthetics |
Not as attractive as hardwood flooring | It is stunningly beautiful |
Cleaning and maintenance |
Simple to maintain and clean | A bit difficult to maintain/high-maintenance |
Repair |
Not an easy task to repair | An expert with experience can repair it |
Durability |
Less durable | Durable and long-lasting |
Resistance to water |
100 100% resistant | Not water-resistant |
Heat radiation |
Can’t damage it | The damage it causes |
Price |
Affordable | Expensive |
Home reselling |
Doesn’t affect the resale value | Enhances the resale worth of homes |
Vinyl flooring vs hardwood:
Are you searching for top flooring that will fit your needs? Hardwood and vinyl should be at the top of your list of choices. First, however, you must select one of them. So, understanding these distinctions between hardwood and vinyl flooring will help you choose the right flooring.
1. Material:
Vinyl flooring comes in different types of materials, including polyvinyl chloride. However, flooring is constructed of natural trees derived from the forest. Therefore, it can be one kind of hardwood or a combination of them.
2. Installation:
Vinyl flooring is a lot simpler than hardwood floors. It is possible to safely and comfortably install it regardless of whether the floor isn’t perfectly level. So, it doesn’t matter whether you’re installing it on the bottom of older flooring, concrete or wood. All they require is an uncluttered surface.
The installation of flooring will be more effective if the flooring is straight and level. This can prevent any future issues when the wood begins to shift. In this case, it is also necessary to create an expansion gap along the floor’s edge so that the boards can quickly expand and contract due to exposure to moisture.
3. Aesthetics, appearance and beauty:
Vinyl flooring and flooring do not have the same look or appeal. Hardwood is constructed from a variety of solid woods. Therefore, they have stunning natural tones, which give them a more attractive appearance than vinyl flooring.
Hardwood floors aren’t all the same hues. So, they can be found in grey, black, beige, brown and reddish shades. The shade of flooring will depend on the type of wood used by the manufacturer to make it.
4. Maintenance and cleaning:
Many homeowners will attest, it’s difficult maintaining floors made of wood more than vinyl. It is essential to vacuum flooring regularly to avoid scratch damage. Additionally, you must use various products designed to improve their durability and protect the floors from damage caused by moisture.
Vinyl flooring is easy to clean. However, you need a few cleaning products to ensure a clean floor. Clean the flooring frequently. So, you can even disable the brush feature when you vacuum the flooring.
5. Repair:
When your flooring made of hardwood is damaged, you may hire an expert to repair it by refinishing or sanding. However, vinyl flooring does not offer this alternative. Therefore, if it is damaged, the best option is to replace it to restore the original beautiful appearance.
6. Durability:
Although vinyl flooring may last for quite a while, it’s not as strong as hardwood floors. As a result, anyone could easily cut the material. It is also susceptible to being damaged by dust.
It is essential to be the most careful with flooring to ensure that it will outlast vinyl. However, similar to vinyl flooring, it comes with its drawbacks as well. Hardwood is also prone to damage from moisture, which is not the case with vinyl flooring. This is why it is not recommended for kitchen and bathroom areas.
7. Water resistance:
One of the most significant benefits of a flooring store is that it’s 100% waterproof. It is possible to clean this flooring multiple times without fearing water damage. So, if your child spills drinks on it, clean it, and it’ll be like new.
If you find that water damage has occurred to your hardwood, contact an expert to replace the flooring or repair it. So, if you don’t have experience in this area, you may not make the right decision. This can lead to further harm or a harmful growth of mold over time.
8. Price:
The price of buying wood flooring differs from the cost of vinyl flooring. So, the price of vinyl flooring per square foot varies between $2 to $7. It’s all dependent on the retailer you purchase yours from and the amount you’ll need.
Vinyl flooring isn’t a requirement for adhesives, nails or vapour barriers. However, this can be an economical choice for homeowners who want to invest as little as possible in flooring installation. Installing and buying flooring is more costly as compared to vinyl flooring. The cost of flooring in the present could range from $5 to $10 per square foot.
9. Home reselling:
It’s more robust and has a beautiful, timeless appeal. Buyers of homes will pay high prices for it since they are aware of the benefits they’ll get. This isn’t the scenario for vinyl flooring. If you’re planning to sell your home with vinyl flooring, you may not get a good return for it. In comparison to the hardwood floor, it’s less appealing.
Conclusion:
The flooring option is based on a range of elements, including your budget, durability, and materials. Hardwood flooring can be attractive and durable. But it’s expensive. If you’re not in a position to have the funds, this flooring may not be the right choice for you. It’s the kitchen or bathroom, go with vinyl. If cost isn’t a concern for you, then install the high-quality, durable hardwood. However, if you’re looking for an easy solution for a low price, go with vinyl flooring.
