Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank

Should you use engineered hardwood or vinyl plank for your new floors? While both types of flooring have pros and cons, the best option for you depends on your budget and specific needs.

Engineered hardwood and vinyl plank rank differently in terms of appearance, durability, maintenance and ease of installation. Their price also varies for material and installation costs. Keep reading to learn which flooring is the better option for your home or business.

Composition and Appearance

Engineered hardwood is designed to look like traditional hardwood flooring. It’s constructed out of several layers and includes a visible thin veneer that’s made of real wood. You can get engineered hardwood in many different types of wood, stain colors and finish styles.

Although vinyl plank flooring is also made of layered material, it doesn’t include any real wood. Instead, there’s a thin layer of photo-realistic wood grain that’s printed out and covered with a protective layer so the flooring resembles hardwood. Vinyl planking can also be purchased in many colors and styles.

When choosing between vinyl and engineered hardwood, you should think about how you want your flooring to feel. Engineered hardwood tends to feel warmer and harder because it’s made of wood and plywood rather than plastic. For the best results with vinyl, choose a thicker option that won’t flex underfoot.

Durability of Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl

Both engineered hardwood and vinyl flooring are fairly durable, but vinyl is the overall winner in terms of short-term durability. Vinyl planking is waterproof and resists both dents and scratches. Engineered hardwood flooring doesn’t hold up well to scratches.

If you take good care of engineered hardwood, it can last many years longer than vinyl planking. Depending on the thickness of the wood veneer, you can even refinish engineered hardwood once or twice, extending its lifetime.

Vinyl may need to be replaced every five to 20 years, depending on its original quality and how well you take care of it. The plastic material can’t be refinished, so you’ll have to completely replace the flooring if you want a new look.

What Type of Flooring Is Best for Pets?

If you have dogs that like to run across your flooring, it’s best to choose vinyl plank over engineered hardwood. Vinyl holds up against scratches, so you won’t have to wince when your pet gets excited and wants to run.

For even better protection against scratch damage, consider choosing light-colored vinyl plank flooring. Dark flooring tends to show scratches and dents more clearly, especially when it’s made of a layered composite. That said, light flooring may show stains more easily — it’s up to your preferences.

Maintenance Tips for Vinyl and Engineered Hardwood

Both vinyl and engineered hardwood need similar kinds of care, although engineered hardwood is more susceptible to water damage. To protect your flooring and ensure its longevity, follow these best practices:

• Use felt pads underneath furniture legs.
• Avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor.
• Keep the floor clean and dry puddles quickly.
• Use a wet mop on vinyl planking.
• Use a damp mop and then dry engineered hardwood.

With proper care and maintenance, both types of flooring should last a long time. Vinyl flooring tends to wear more quickly because of its plastic material. However, engineered hardwood is easier to damage with scratches and water, so it requires more everyday care.

Installation Process for Vinyl vs. Engineered Hardwood

The installation process for vinyl and engineered hardwood is simple, especially when compared to traditional hardwood flooring, where every individual plank needs to be nailed down. There are several installation options depending on the type of flooring you choose.

Both engineered hardwood and vinyl can be installed as floating floors, which means the planks lock together and don’t have to connect directly to the subflooring. You can also glue them to the subfloor, and some vinyl comes with peel-and-stick backing.

If you’re planning to change the flooring anytime soon, avoid gluing it, as this makes it much harder to remove. Using a circular saw, rubber mallet and tapping block, you can fit the planks tightly together and perfectly fill your space.

While both of these flooring options are DIY-friendly, you can also pay for professional installation. Depending on your schedule and other responsibilities, professional installation services can save you the time and stress of putting in your own flooring.

Cost Comparison for Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank

It’s challenging to give specific estimates for flooring because the cost can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Flooring thickness
• Stain and finish
• Location and competition

Vinyl plank flooring is generally more affordable than engineered hardwood because plastic production is less costly than using real wood, even when it’s just one layer that’s part of composite flooring.

If you’re not installing the flooring yourself, you also need to factor in installation costs. Engineered hardwood tends to cost more to install than vinyl flooring, but it lasts longer — which means you won’t need to pay for material and installation fees again for a long time.

How to Choose the Best Flooring for You

To decide which flooring option is the best fit for you, there are several questions you can ask yourself:

• How large is the floor I want to update?
• What is my budget range for new flooring?
• What are my preferred colors/finishes?
• Do I have pets/high-traffic areas?
• How long do I want this floor to last?
• What appearance do I want this flooring to have?
• What level of wear and tear do I anticipate in this room?

Answering these questions should help you weigh your options and decide whether engineered hardwood or vinyl planking is the better choice for you. Both types of flooring are more affordable than traditional hardwood, have a higher water resistance and allow for easier installation.

Find the Perfect Flooring Solution at All American Flooring

All American Flooring has been serving customers for over 30 years. We offer a free design consultation to help you make the best choice for your home or business, and we promise you unbeatable prices when compared to the competition.

Our unmatched warranty program allows you to make your purchase with peace of mind. With over 500 five-star Google reviews, you don’t have to take our word for the quality of our products or the professionalism of our staff.

At All American Flooring, our mission is to exceed your expectations so you can enjoy your new flooring for years to come. We have four locations in Texas where you can view products in person and talk with flooring experts. Contact us today for a free in-home estimate!