Shopping for flooring for your Virginia Beach home isn’t easy, but at last, you’ve narrowed it down to two options. Hardwood or luxury vinyl? All you have to do is figure out which one works best for your life. This is easier said than done. Which one looks better in the showroom? Which one will hold up against your kids, your pets, your cleaning schedule and how you live in your home?
At Artistic Flooring, we get this question a lot. In short, the right answer depends on your needs. Both options are great, but before coming to a decision, you have to understand what you’re asking your floors to do every day.
Let us break it down for you.
What is “Low-Maintenance” Flooring?
Low-maintenance can mean something different for everyone. For some homeowners, it means easy cleanup after muddy dogs and kids. For others, it means not having to refinish the floors for the next 20 years. Surviving high humidity is also a valid consideration for coastal Virginia Beach homes.
Before comparing products, define what low-maintenance means in your home.
Why Choose Hardwood Flooring for the Long Game?
Hardwood flooring in Virginia Beach is a durable flooring option, but doesn’t have the same maintenance routine as vinyl. Let’s review the pros and cons.
The Upside
With proper installation, a solid hardwood floor can last a lifetime. You can sand and refinish your wood floors to buff out surface damage. Essentially, you can give your flooring a new lease on life with a brand new surface rather than buying brand new floors. Hardwood flooring in Virginia Beach also increases your resale value in the long run.
The Honest Trade-Off
Hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture. That’s why it’s not the right call for bathrooms, laundry rooms and below-grade spaces. While it’s okay in kitchens and dining rooms, spills need to be wiped up promptly. Humidity fluctuations also need to be managed to prevent expansion and contraction.
Even with the trade-offs, hardwood is a long-term investment in Virginia Beach. Using area rugs and furniture pads are helpful in the busiest areas of your home.
Thinking about installing hardwood in your home? Reach out to Artistic Flooring to explore our collection in our showroom or from the comfort of your home.
Why Buy Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Built for Real Life?
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) in Virginia Beach is becoming more common. Why? It’s genuinely hard to hurt. Let’s get into the advantages and downsides.
The Upside
LVP comes equipped with a waterproof core. As long as you don’t leave standing water, moisture can’t get between the seams and damage the subfloor. That means pet accidents, spilled drinks and busy homes are no problem. Plus the tough wear layer stands up to scratches, scuffs and heavy foot traffic. Modern LVP also has a realistic image layer that makes it hard to tell apart from real hardwood.
The Honest Tradeoff
Unlike hardwood, you cannot refinish luxury vinyl floors. When it wears out, you have to replace it, but depending on the product, it can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. The product you choose matters. For example, those with a quality WPC or SPC core last longer than cheaper big-box alternatives.
Curious about your vinyl flooring options? Reach out to us to browse luxury vinyl flooring in Virginia Beach today!
Which Flooring Option Makes Sense for You?
How do you choose? If you’re after a floor that can be refreshed, adds real value to your home and you’re willing to protect and care for it in the long run, hardwood is worth the investment.
Meanwhile, if you’re after a floor that shrugs off whatever your household throws at it, goes anywhere in the home and asks very little of you, a quality luxury vinyl product makes more sense.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between the two. Many homeowners end up choosing both. For example, hardwood can go in the living room and master bedroom, while LVP will work in the kitchen, bathroom and mudroom. Don’t think of it as an either-or choice.
How do you decide? Have a conversation with someone who knows flooring and looks at your space, your lifestyle and priorities before making a recommendation.
Talk to the Flooring Experts in Virginia Beach
At Artistic Flooring, we’ve been helping homeowners across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk choose and install the right floors for over 30 years. We’ll honestly walk you through both options. This means discussing the pros and cons of each so you can make a confident decision you’ll feel good about for flooring for years to come.
Struggling to choose between hardwood and LVP? Visit our showroom or contact us to schedule an in-home consultation today!
