LVP vs Hardwood Cost: Real Price Breakdown for Homeowners [2025]

A modern living room showcases a stylish comparison between Light Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring on the left and warm hardwood flooring on the right, divided by a central sofa and accented by lush green plants.

The price gap between LVP and hardwood flooring might surprise you. LVP costs $2 to $8 per square foot. Hardwood is a big deal as it means that at $12 to $20 per square foot. These numbers make homeowners think twice before they decide.

Let's talk about installation costs. You'll pay $2 to $5 per square foot to install vinyl plank. Hardwood installation hits your wallet harder at $9 to $23 per square foot. But here's the thing - hardwood adds real value to your home. Every dollar you spend could bring back $4 in property value. On top of that, vinyl plank gives you great perks like waterproof protection and stands up well in busy areas.

We'll dive into the full cost picture of LVP vs hardwood flooring in this piece. You'll learn about materials, installation, upkeep costs, and what it all means for your investment. Our breakdown will help you pick the right flooring that fits your budget and needs, whether you're updating your space or starting fresh.

Upfront Investment: Comparing LVP 

and Hardwood Costs

Your flooring investment goes beyond simple material costs. Let's get into what affects your bottom line when LVP and hardwood go head-to-head.

Quality levels make material costs vary by a lot. LVP budget options start around $1.50-$3.50 per square foot, mid- range vinyl runs $3.50-$7.00, and premium luxury vinyl reaches $7.00-$10.00+. Hardwood comes with a steeper price ladder. Budget solid hardwood starts at $4.00-$6.00 per square foot, mid-range options cost $6.00-$10.00, and high-end woods can soar to $10.00-$20.00+.

The installation costs create a big price difference. LVP installation costs $2.00-$5.00 per square foot. Hardwood just needs more money - $8.00-$14.00 for engineered varieties and $9.00-$23.00 for solid hardwood. This price gap exists because hardwood installation needs special skills and tools, especially with solid hardwood that requires nailing, sanding, and finishing.

Homeowners often miss these hidden costs:

1.   Subfloor preparation - Both flooring types need this, especially hardwood. You'll pay $1.00-$6.00 per square foot based on needed repairs.

2.   Waste factor - Plan for 5-10% extra flooring materials beyond your measured square footage. This covers cuts, damaged pieces, and installation waste.

3.   Removal of existing flooring - Runs between $1.00-$4.00 per square foot. Carpet removal costs least while tile takes the most work.

4.   Additional materials - Underlayment ($0.30-$0.60/sq ft), trim, transitions, and moldings add about $1.00-$1.50 per square foot to your total cost.

A 500 square foot space would cost about $3,000-$6,000 for LVP installation compared to $9,000-$18,000 for hardwood. That difference could pay for many other home upgrades. Notwithstanding that, hardwood's long-term value might offset this original price difference for some homeowners.

Performance in Real Homes: Durability and Use Cases

The real-life performance of flooring depends heavily on durability, which affects your long-term lvp vs hardwood cost calculations. Testing in actual homes shows clear differences between these options in several situations.

LVP flooring excels at handling everyday challenges. The synthetic materials make it highly resistant to scratches and dents. This makes it perfect for homes with kids, pets, or heavy furniture. LVP's waterproof nature helps it stay intact even after getting wet. You can safely use it in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where hardwood would typically fail.

Hardwood floors need more careful handling. They can take heavy foot traffic, but pet claws, high heels, and moving furniture can easily leave scratches. Water poses another challenge - even small spills can stain or buckle the wood. You'll need to clean up spills right away to avoid damage.

Maintenance needs create another big difference between these materials. LVP just needs regular sweeping and the occasional mop with normal cleaners. Hardwood is more demanding - you'll need special wood cleaners and refinishing work to fix surface damage. These extra steps add to your overall costs.

LVP works best in areas that get wet often. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms benefit from its waterproof design. Hardwood looks elegant but works better in dry spaces like bedrooms and living rooms where it won't warp or swell.

Sound levels differ between these floors too. LVP comes with built-in sound dampening thanks to its multiple layers. Hardwood naturally blocks some sound due to its density, but you'll need proper installation and underlayment to keep noise down.

Consumer Reports testing backs this up. Quality vinyl gets top scores for resisting foot traffic, stains, and sun damage. Hardwood only rates as satisfactory for surface wear resistance. These results show why vinyl performs better in busy areas of your home.

Long-Term Value: Maintenance, Resale, and Sustainability

The true cost difference between LVP and hardwood goes way beyond the original price tag. What happens after installation will affect your wallet for decades to come.

The cost gap between these flooring options comes down to how much care they need. LVP just needs basic care - sweep it regularly and mop it now and then with regular cleaners. Hardwood is needier. You'll have to buy special wood-safe cleaners and be extra careful about water damage. This difference in care requirements adds up over the years, making hardwood more expensive to maintain.

Refinishing is a big deal when comparing these floors. Hardwood floors need refinishing every 7-10 years, which costs

$3.00-$5.00 per square foot. All the same, you can refinish hardwood multiple times, so it can last for generations. A solid hardwood floors upkeep over 30 years costs about $7,500. This is a big deal as it means that while it's expensive, it keeps its value.

LVP has one major drawback - you can't refinish it. If it gets damaged, you'll have to replace entire planks. This means LVP only lasts 10-20 years and ended up costing more than hardwood over several decades because you'll need to replace it completely.

Hardwood is the clear winner for resale value. Houses with hardwood floors sell faster and fetch higher prices. You might get back $4 for every $1 you spent on installation. On the flip side, realtors say vinyl flooring could lower your home's value because buyers see it as something they'll have to replace later.

The environmental story tells two very different tales. Hardwood comes from renewable sources and breaks down naturally. More than that, trees store carbon while growing and keep storing it as flooring. LVP contains PVC from petroleum, won't break down, and might release harmful VOCs. Yes, it is shocking that 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring uses as much plastic as 570,000,000 plastic straws.

Homeowners who care about lasting value often find that hardwood's higher upfront cost makes sense when they consider maintenance, resale value, and environmental impact.

Comparison Table

Comparison Factor	LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank)	Hardwood
Material Cost	$2-$8 per sq ft	$12-$20 per sq ft
Installation Cost	$2-$5 per sq ft	$9-$23 per sq ft
Quality Tiers
- Budget	$1.50-$3.50 per sq ft	$4-$6 per sq ft
- Mid-range	$3.50-$7 per sq ft	$6-$10 per sq ft
- Premium	$7-$10+ per sq ft	$10-$20+ per sq ft
Durability
- Water Resistance	Waterproof	Prone to water damage
- Scratch Resistance	Strong resistance	Easily scratched
- Traffic Resistance	Excellent performance	Good performance
Maintenance
- Regular Care	Sweep regularly, mop occasionally	Needs special wood cleaners
- Refinishing	No refinishing possible	Needs refinishing every 7-10 years ($3-$5 per sq ft)
Lifespan	10-20 years	Lasts generations
Property Value Effect	Could lower home value	Yields ~$4 for every $1 invested
Environmental Effect	Not biodegradable, contains PVC	Renewable, biodegradable, stores carbon
Total Cost Example	$3,000-$6,000 (500 sq ft)	$9,000-$18,000 (500 sq ft)

The choice between LVP and hardwood flooring ends up depending on your priorities as a homeowner.

Without doubt, LVP saves you money upfront and costs about one-third of hardwood's price for materials and installation. This price advantage pairs well with its exceptional durability and water resistance. These features make vinyl plank a great choice for busy homes with children, pets, or areas prone to moisture.

Hardwood represents a long-term investment rather than just an expense. The original cost runs higher, but hardwood floors can last for generations with proper care. It also boosts property values, and you could get back four times the installation cost during resale. This makes hardwood a smart financial choice if you plan to stay in your home or sell it soon.

You should think over the maintenance needs too. LVP needs little upkeep, but you'll have to replace it completely after 10-20 years. Hardwood needs more careful attention, but you can refinish it many times, which means it can last forever.

Environmental impact might sway eco-conscious homeowners' decisions. Hardwood's renewable, biodegradable nature stands in stark contrast to vinyl's petroleum-based composition that won't break down.

The "right" flooring choice changes based on your budget, lifestyle, property goals, and environmental values. Whatever option you pick, knowing these cost factors beyond the price tag will help ensure your flooring investment serves your home well for years to come.

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