Why You Should Consider Using Vinyl Instead of Hardwood for Flooring?

In a world of HGTV and home envy, many homeowners on the hunt for new flooring think that they need to invest in hardwood flooring to achieve the best style. What many don’t know is that several of the beautiful hardwood floors they see on HGTV are vinyl planks in disguise.

There are some significant differences in vinyl planks and hardwood floors like cost and durability, but there are also similarities that you want to consider. There are many reasons you should consider vinyl over hardwood floors, among them the following:

Style

There are countless styles of vinyl planks that mimic the hardwood-style perfectly. This means that you don’t need the hardwood planks to get the look in your home that you’re going for. Many home designers even prefer to deal with vinyl planks when they’re designing homes.

Vinyl also creates an opportunity to make unique and exciting wood patterns onto your floors. You’re not limited to just the textures that are in the wood naturally, and you’re welcome to avoid certain problem spots that you find unappealing.

So, if the style is a factor in your decision on flooring, don’t let the idea of missing out on the hardwood-style be a deciding factor against vinyl.

Pricing

Vinyl flooring is perfect for home designers that are on a strict budget. For most homeowners, there is not a lot of room left in the budget for things like flooring when there are numerous other changes to be made around the home.

It is by far the more budget-friendly choice, with plank prices ranging from two to seven dollars per square foot. When this flooring is installed as a DIY project, it costs even less, as the price for a company to place it is often one to four dollars per square foot. Additionally, if you do it yourself, you won’t have to pay for barriers, nails, and adhesives.

Hardwood, on the other hand, is one of the most expensive styles of flooring at five to ten dollars per square foot. Since this is generally a more complex installation, most homeowners find themselves paying a contractor for this service, so this adds five to eight dollars per square foot.

Overall, vinyl seems to be the more cost-efficient option for flooring, but it should be noted that it may have to be replaced more often than a hardwood option due to durability differences.

Durability

Since we’re talking about durability, there are some essential things to note about the differences in strength in vinyl and hardwood.

First, you won’t have to worry about chips, scratches, and dings. This means that unlike hardwood, it won’t have to be refinished if it gets scratched up by dogs or children.

This doesn’t mean that it’s completely damage-proof, though. Since it’s created with soft material, it is prone to cracks and tears. More specifically, it can be more likely to dent than other floors, especially when underneath heavy furniture.

Overall, it can be more cost-effective to install and replace vinyl when needed than to spend more money on hardwood repairs.

Care and Maintenance

The most significant difference in caring for these flooring styles is that vinyl doesn’t require waxing. It is a much more low-maintenance option for households that don’t regularly do a lot of deep cleaning on their floors. If you’re looking for ways to save some money, this is one.

All that they require for daily cleaning is a broom or a vacuum cleaner, and for deep cleaning days, they only need a wet mop to get clean. It is essential to mention. However, that vinyl can fade overtime when in direct sunlight. This can be avoided by placing rugs in areas that are exposed to long periods of sunshine (i.e., fields next to windows and sliding glass doors).

Hardwood floor refinishing and waxing needs to be done often to keep their quality, and they are more likely to be scratched in ways that are difficult to maintain.

Water Resistance

One of the best things about vinyl is that it’s completely waterproof. This is especially important in the kitchens and bathrooms, but it is a high quality to have in any area of the house that is bound to be spilled on.

Hardwood has the unfortunate drawback of not dealing with water well at all. When it gets wet, there is usually immediate damage, and the only way to stop this from happening is by cleaning up spills right away, never using a damp mop, and avoiding installing wooden floors in areas where moisture accumulates.

Also Read: Why It Is Better To Get A Professional To Install Flooring?

Overview

Vinyl seems to be the best option for those who are looking for fashion without the expensive price tag. When it is properly taken care of, your vinyl floors can look great for years, but you will likely find that they will need replacing more often than hardwood.

Overall, it is a more comfortable floor to manage for average families on an average budget. When it comes to practicality, you likely won’t find a hardwood that is as easy to take care of as these floors. Additionally, you won’t have to sacrifice looks for this kind of easy maintenance, as many different styles mimic the popular hardwood looks perfectly.

Many people think that they need to go all out in their flooring budget with hardwood floors, but they often don’t realize that they can achieve the same look with vinyl floors that have the same great style without the additional cost and hassle of dealing with hardwood flooring.