Introduction

According to Mark Roemer Oakland, vinyl wood flooring has become a popular flooring option among many homeowners since they can replicate the look of high-quality hardwood flooring at a much lower cost. So, if you are unsure whether to spend extra money on authentic hardwood flooring or choose luxury vinyl wood flooring, consider the following points listed below.

The Advantages

Here are a few advantages of vinyl plank flooring over hardwood flooring:

  1. Durability and life cycle – Hardwood flooring is undoubtedly durable and can last for generations with proper care and maintenance. However, high-quality vinyl wood flooring is quite durable as well and can last up to 10 to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. 

Unlike hardwood, which is naturally hard, high-quality vinyl wood planks are manufactured to withstand different types of forces. Although durable, both types of flooring are susceptible to collecting scratches over time. 

However, an advantage that vinyl flooring has over hardwood flooring is that vinyl flooring is waterproof and impervious to water damage due to humidity and moisture. Thus, they are perfect for basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. 

  1. Look and feel – One of the major reasons why people choose vinyl flooring is its realistic visuals. Since vinyl is manufactured, it can take the form of almost any texture, pattern, or color. Thus, high-quality vinyl wood flooring gives off a similar authentic feel to hardwood flooring which can be almost impossible to distinguish unless you examine them pretty closely.

Since you can install padding underneath vinyl wood flooring, they are softer and more comfortable to walk on. Plus, the padding helps to insulate your home and improve its energy efficiency.

  1. Cost – Hardwood can be an extremely expensive flooring option depending on the wood species, its rarity, demand, availability, and the finish you choose. Typically, the cost of hardwood flooring can range from $8 to $25 per square foot.

Vinyl flooring is much cheaper and typically ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot for good quality materials. High-quality vinyl materials that feature special prints, textures, and designs are more expensive but still a lot cheaper than hardwood. 

  1. Installation – If you are a DIY expert, you can install vinyl wood flooring with the proper tools on your own. And, if you have tile flooring, you don’t even have to worry about uninstalling it first. In fact, you can even install padding underneath the vinyl flooring to make it more comfortable. And the whole process can be completed without hiring the help of an expert.

However, you need to hire an expert to install hardwood flooring since it requires you to be more knowledgeable about using the proper tools and placements and understand many technicalities.

  1. Maintenance – Vinyl wood flooring is pretty easy to maintain and care for since it can be cleaned using a damp mop, broom, microfiber sweeper, or vacuum. There is no need to do any waxing, unlike hardwood flooring. However, you can preserve the shine of vinyl wood flooring by using vinyl polishes.

Conclusion

Mark Roemer Oakland suggests you consider all the factors mentioned above to decide which type of flooring would be suitable for your home. The benefits of vinyl wood flooring over hardwood are quite evident when you read the points above, but it is still up to you to decide which option to choose.