LVP and engineered wood flooring both have the appearance and texture of real wood. Only engineered wood, however, is actually constructed with a top (and bottom) layer of real wood.

Differences Between Engineered Hardwood Vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Even though you might prefer solid hardwood flooring, there are times when it’s not a good fit. For instance, your space might have water issues similar to a kitchen or basement. Or maybe you’re worried about your hardwood getting damaged by children and animals walking on it a lot.

The good news is that there are some equally gorgeous and long-lasting alternatives, including laminate flooring, engineered hardwood, and vinyl, that can still match the beauty of hardwood flooring. Let’s contrast two of those choices: engineered hardwood vs. luxury vinyl plank (LVP). (Read More: 10 Best Mop For Laminate Floors – Best Ways to Clean)

Let’s first discuss these kinds of flooring so we can compare the two.

The Skinny on Engineered Hardwood Flooring

You probably won’t be able to tell the difference between engineered and solid hardwood if you put them side by side. That is as a result of the veneer of real wood used on the surface of engineered hardwood.

Solid hardwood planks are constructed from a single piece of raw wood, top to bottom. In contrast, engineered hardwood planks only use a thin veneer of real hardwood. Typically, that veneer, or wear layer, ranges in thickness from 2 to 3 mm.

Therefore, that veneer will be oak if your preference is for white oak flooring. The veneer boasts real hickory wood if that’s what you prefer.

Instead of a single piece of solid wood, the layer below the wear layer is made up of layers of crisscrossed plies made of different composite materials, frequently plywood. The plywood core layer makes the planks more dense and impermeable. As a result, it’s more resistant to water damage than solid hardwood.

Additionally, engineered hardwood is typically less expensive than solid hardwood because of the plywood core.

LVP Offers the Look of Hardwood But Uses Vinyl

LVP flooring uses polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but the end product closely resembles hardwood flooring. Very closely.

LVP uses four different layers in a layered manner, similar to engineered hardwood.

First, a top layer of aluminum oxide prevents scratching and scuffs. Second, a transparent film layer protects the floors from ripping and tearing.

Third, and this is the crucial step, LVP includes a design layer. That layer uses a photo-realistic look of genuine hardwood. With today’s digital imagery, LVP can capture oak, hickory, maple, and other wood grain looks with incredible clarity. So, it isn’t easy to know whether it’s hardwood flooring.

Even LVP flooring with distressed appearances, such as hand-scraping, nail holes, and other embellishments to mimic a vintage look, is a possibility.

The plank is finished with a rigid vinyl backing layer. That layer accounts for 90 percent of the floor’s thickness. It also makes LVP flooring semi-rigid. The semi-rigid planks then snap together during installation.

You can “upgrade” too rigid core flooring that uses wood or stone composites for an even more durable form of luxury vinyl.

Comparing Engineered Hardwood Vs. LVP Flooring

The variety is a plus for both flooring choices. Either allows you to select a preferred wood species, grain, and finish. And both are typically less expensive than genuine hardwood flooring.

The material, wood as opposed to, is one notable distinction. vinyl. Engineered hardwood is a better option if you want a floor that has the appearance and texture of natural hardwood. After all, it is constructed of raw wood.

If you’re looking for the warmth of a solid hardwood floor, engineered hardwood accomplishes that. Underfoot, they have a similar feel. You can tell you’re walking on a hard, rigid surface.

The planks are still made of vinyl, despite LVP’s close resemblance to hardwood floors, some of which have a true depth. You can feel the difference when you touch the floor’s surface.

Additionally, you can tell if you walk on LVP flooring. It feels softer underfoot due to its semi-rigidity.

Engineered Hardwood Holds Up Longer Than LVP

You can’t go wrong with either flooring option if you want durable flooring.

Because LVP is scratch- and chip-resistant, a lot of people prefer it. In order to prevent scratches from dog nails, dog owners frequently use LVP flooring.

Inconveniently, moving heavy objects can cause vinyl planks to tear. Also possible damage to LVP flooring is caused by those heavy objects. Planks can be replaced, similar to engineered hardwood, though.

Engineered hardwood is resistant to LVP’s dents. But it’s more prone to scuffs and gouges. The good news is that lots of manufacturers use scratch-resistant finishes.

But this is one area where engineered hardwood outperforms LVP. If you install engineered hardwood flooring with a sufficiently thick wear layer, preferably 2mm or more, you can sand it down and refinish it. The number of times you can go through the refinishing process depends on how thick the veneer is.

Because engineered hardwood can be refinished, you can expect your hardwood to last a long time, even a lifetime. Manufacturers routinely offer 25-year and more extended warranties.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for LVP flooring, as it can’t be refinished. If the floor’s surface shows excessive wear, you’ll need to replace it.

LVP flooring needs to be swapped out for less durable flooring every five years as a result. Even better LVP flooring requires replacement after 20 to 30 years.

Both Flooring Types Offer Easy Maintenance

The longevity of your floors is greatly influenced by how well you maintain them. Engineered hardwood and LVP are both low maintenance.

With engineered hardwood, you want to avoid harsh cleaning agents that can damage the wood’s finish. Otherwise, you can vacuum your floors and sweep them with a broom with a soft bristle. Manufacturer-approved cleaning solutions like those from Bruce do a great job regarding hardwood floor care.

Contrary to solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood is also resistant to damp mopping. However, that does not imply that you should completely soak your wood floor in water. Touch-up kits are another way to maintain the great appearance of your engineered wood floors.

LVP flooring can be cleaned with a broom and vacuum just like engineered hardwood. Unlike most engineered wood flooring, however, you can also wet mop LVP. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers, floor wax, or ammonia.

LVP Owns An Advantage Vs. Engineered Hardwood Against Water

LVP flooring offers water resistance, at the very least. Many LVP floors, on the other hand, take it a step further and offer 100% waterproofing. LVP might therefore be a better choice if you’re extremely worried about water damage. Read more to learn Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Flooring – Which Should I Choose?

Compared to solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is more moisture resistant. For instance, when exposed to moisture or humidity, solid hardwood expands and contracts. Engineered wood, however, stretches and shrinks less. Typically, however, engineered hardwood flooring isn’t waterproof.

In Comparison

It’s clear that vinyl plank flooring and engineered hardwood floors are both great options for any home.

It’s challenging to determine which kind of flooring is the better choice. They are very similar, but they also differ greatly in some important ways. Not to mention the various quality levels for both.

I sincerely hope this post was useful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I’m happy to help.