1. Durability

Durability is one of the most common concerns amongst homeowners looking to have their flooring replaced, especially those who have kids or pets.

The good news is that both LVP and Hardwood floorings are impressively durable. Hardwoods are naturally hard, and LVPs go through rigorous tests to be proven viable for use on commercial surfaces.

Printed LVPs, due to an invisible layer of protective top coating, are quite chips and scratch-resistant, making them a perfect choice for pet parents.

However, LVPs are known to tear and dent while moving your furniture around or dropping some heavy objects. Likewise, solid LVPs, unlike printed ones, can collect scratches on them over time.

Hardwoods, on the other hand, while being extremely stable, are prone to chips and scratches.

2. Moisture Resistance

The one criterion where LVPs have the edge over hardwoods is moisture resistance. LVPs are completely resistant to moisture.

On the other hand, hardwoods are not moisture resistant, making them an inappropriate choice for areas of the home prone to moisture. If you spill water on the hardwood planks or if they come in contact with moisture, you must dry mop it as soon as possible.

If the exposure is too big and the moisture damage is extensive, you might need to consult professionals about repairing your flooring in order to prevent mold or other water-induced damage from happening.  Due to this reason, the best flooring choice for moisture-prone placesis LVPs.

However, if you choose engineered hardwood planks, they can resist moisture to some degree. But truth be told, nothing compares to the efficiency of vinyl planks. So, if you don’t want to worry constantly about spilling water or moisture rotting up your flooring, LVPs are the way to go!

3. Cleaning And Maintenance

Maintaining and cleaning LVP flooring is fairly easy. You can wet mop it, broom it, or use a vacuum cleaner. Your vinyl flooring must be cleaned using no-wax cleaners since using such cleaners, over time, might result in wax build-ups on your flooring.

To maintain the shine of your vinyl flooring, you can use vinyl polishes. However, direct exposure to sunlight over time might result in fading of vinyl flooring.

Maintenance can be daunting for hardwoods flooring. Cleaning isn’t easy either. The one major thing to keep in mind is that wet mopping a hardwood flooring is a big no-no. You can sweep, dust mop, or use a vacuum cleaner to clean your hardwood flooring.

To make sure that your hardwood flooring retains its shine, you might need to wax it once it starts fading. If you notice chipping or scratches on your hardwood flooring, you do have options of repairing or refinishing it.