Hardwood Floors vs. Vinyl: Pros and Cons

Choosing new flooring for your home is a big decision, and not to mention an expensive choice! With so many flooring options on the market for you to choose from, you may be wondering which choice is the best for you. Though many people prefer the look of hardwood floors in their home, there are now more choices on the market that will give you the look of hardwood without the heavy price tag. Because of this, vinyl flooring is becoming more and more popular. But which is right for you?

Jake Bennage Flooring has a variety of hardwood and vinyl flooring options ready for you to look at. Before you choose what flooring to install in your home, here are the pros and cons of each:

Vinyl Flooring: A synthetic, man-made flooring option made from petroleum that is made to look like wood, stone, tile, etc. with the printing of a photo to mimic the look.

• Pro: Generally speaking, vinyl flooring can be more durable than hardwood flooring because it is harder. However, it can still be scratched or dented, or ripped or torn, especially in places where heavy furniture is sitting on top of it. Unlike hardwood flooring, vinyl flooring is also pet-friendly and waterproof, and is a fantastic choice for basement flooring.
• Con: The resale value on vinyl flooring is pretty awful, especially in comparison to hardwood flooring.
• Pro: Cleaning vinyl flooring tends to be pretty easy, since you don’t need any special cleaners or solutions that won’t damage the material. It can be wet-mopped, swept, vacuumed, and dusted, and you can use no-wax cleaners if you want.
• Con: If damage is done to the vinyl, the flooring is not easily restorable, and you will have to replace it. Fortunately, replacement is relatively easy, and you won’t have to replace the entire floor, or even the entire plank– all you’ll need to do is cut out the exact amount you need, and replace it,
• Pro: There are many different styles and looks of vinyl flooring, so you won’t be limited to one kind of hardwood look. Try cherry, oak, walnut, etc. The choice is yours! You can even expand beyond hardwood and go for a tile, stone, or marble look if you want.
• Con: Unlike hardwood flooring, vinyl floors will not last you for generations. Expect vinyl floors to last about 10-20 years with good upkeep.

Hardwood Flooring: Natural wood flooring harvested from real trees.

• Pro: Hardwood floors age beautifully over time. Though you may need to refinish them from time to time, the natural fading of a wood floor can look wonderful in your home.
• Con: Since natural wood can scratch and dent easily, it is not the most suitable for homes with pets. It is also not waterproof, so you’ll have to be careful of any leaks, spills, or other water damage that could occur to your floors.
• Pro: There are a variety of woods that you can choose from, from your standard pine, oak, and cherry, to more exotic choices that may not be available in vinyl flooring.
• Con: Wood floors are MUCH more expensive than vinyl floors. At roughly $8-$15 per square foot, that makes wood floors almost twice as much as vinyl floors, and that’s not even including the cost of installation! With real wood floors, professional installation is almost always recommended, so don’t try to DIY it yourself.
• Pro: Though vinyl flooring does a great job mimicking the look of hardwood, nothing will replace the exact look and feel of real, natural wood floors. Whether you like it or not, real wood floors add a touch of elegance throughout your floors that vinyl flooring can’t quite capture!
• Con: The upkeep and cleaning of hardwood floors requires specific products that are made for hardwood. You won’t be able to use whatever cleaning solution you have on hand.

Trust Jake Bennage Flooring with all of your flooring needs! With a large inventory of flooring options, you’re bound to find the floor that will bring your dream home to life. Our team of salesmen are committed to finding the best choice for your home, and will help advise and consult with you before you make your final pick for installation. Come visit us today! Submit a request for more information on our website or give us a call at (570) 412-0506 or  (570) 428-5344.

Sources: 

https://www.thespruce.com/vinyl-wood-flooring-versus-natural-hardwood-1314697 
https://floorcritics.com/vinyl-plank-vs-hardwood-flooring/ 
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Hardwood_Floor_vs_Vinyl_Floor