LVP, Tile, or Hardwood: Which Flooring Is Best?
Flooring may be a practical necessity in your home, but it also serves as the foundation for the entire tone and atmosphere of a room. The flooring material you choose for a particular space should not only be serviceable but also enhance the look you want to create.
With carpet falling out of style for living spaces, there are three primary types of flooring materials available for your Delaware home: vinyl, tile, and hardwood. Determining which material is the best fit for your home remodeling project depends on your budget, tastes, and lifestyle.
What Is LVP?
Vinyl may conjure images of the tacky flooring laid down in giant sheets throughout older homes. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, however, is not the same thing. Vinyl has come a long way since its introduction as a flooring material, and it is now available in a wide range of different styles, colors and varieties that are modern, affordable, and effective.
The durability of LVP depends on the manufacturer, as well as whether you choose a waterproof or non-waterproof option, but it is generally considered a strong, durable material that is easy to both install and maintain.
Hardwood Flooring vs. Luxury Vinyl
Hardwood flooring possesses a timeless beauty that generally lends it distinction as the standard for an upscale home design. You can find hardwood in a variety of qualities, colors, and styles, although you may face limitations based on the availability of wood species and feasibility of customization. Additionally, hardwood floors add unparalleled value to your home.
As a natural material, hardwood floors are porous and susceptible to water damage, which makes them particularly unsuitable for bathrooms or kitchens where spills and moisture buildup are common. Hardwood also cracks over time, so it requires regular maintenance—such as reapplying polyurethane coating and re-staining—to stay durable, stable, and attractive.
In comparison, LVP is a synthetic material, making it intrinsically stain- and moisture-resistant and long-lasting with minimal upkeep. You can even use it in your bathroom, entryway or basement, or when remodeling your whole home. It also tends to be two to three times cheaper than real hardwood flooring, while advances in nature-realistic imaging and manufacturing make it difficult to tell the difference between wood vinyl planks and the original inspiration.
Tile vs. LVT
Another traditional flooring material is tile made from ceramic, porcelain, stone, metal, or glass. Hard and durable, these materials are stain- and moisture-resistant, which is why tiles are commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens. Alluring and diverse, ceramic and stone tiles are also used to dress walls, countertops, showers, and bathtub surrounds.
As with hardwood flooring, vinyl can be used to make tiles that emulate the appearance of natural materials, although the imitation in tile flooring isn’t quite as convincing. Some types of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)—known as composite tiles—include a bit of pulverized stone dust to improve the realism. Unlike natural ceramic tiles, LVT is typically reserved for flooring.
LVT is available in a wide array of colors and styles. Compared to ceramic tiles, it is easier to maintain, especially since you don’t have to clean and periodically reseal grout lines, but it doesn’t have as long of a lifespan. Additionally, while vinyl tiles are more affordable than their natural counterparts—installing a tile floor increases the cost of both materials and labor—they don’t augment your home value in the same way.
Which Flooring Is Best for Your Remodeling Project?
As you select a flooring material for your bathroom or kitchen remodel near Wilmington, there are several factors to consider, including cost, durability, value, and appearance. What you choose depends on the purpose of your remodeling project and how the room is used. When it comes to renovating your bathroom or kitchen, Bromwell Construction can help guide you to the flooring materials that will upgrade and modernize the space to suit your current needs and preferences.