Hardwood flooring is a timeless flooring option that has been around for so long that it is many people's go-to flooring. It is effortlessly elegant and timeless. There is a newer flooring option that is gaining fans quickly. Luxury Vinyl Tile has come in a long way in a short period of time.

We'll break them down and compare them side by side. We'll be looking at style, durability, application, cost, and which rooms are the best to have each one in to see how they stack up.

Style Costs and Subtle Differences

Hardwood flooring is beautiful and comes in many different styles and looks but it is limited by tree availability of the wood of choice and ease of design. They look beautiful but the consumer pays for every customization they want.

Luxury Vinyl Tile goes around all of these additional costs. To create the Luxury Vinyl Tile, all the producer needs is a picture of the desired wood type and it can be printed onto the Tile without paying all the extra costs you do with hardwood flooring.

Durability

Durability is defined as the hardness of the floor, meaning how much wear can it take before it breaks down. Hardwood floors require more maintenance to upkeep. They wear out quicker and small problems become large ones if they're not caught. However, they are seen as timeless and are well worth the maintenance to keep them looking gorgeous for years. They can be brought back to their original shine with a little TLC. They would be good for showpieces like in a dining room or master bedroom. Wood absorbs moisture, which makes hardwood flooring not suitable for bathrooms or rooms where there is heavy traffic coming in directly from outside.

Luxury vinyl tile is more resistant to moisture, and is made with a hard layer that makes is last longer with little to no upkeep however it can be more of a hassle to transition too as the only current option is to stain and unfinished wood pieces to match the Luxury Vinyl Tile.

Basic Costs per Square Foot

Hardwood flooring costs anywhere from $8.00 to $25.00 per square foot. Hardwood floors have the bonus of adding a lot of value to your home. Luxury Vinyl Tile costs range from $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot and can last for years.

What Room Suits Which Flooring Type 

Hardwood flooring is not moisture resistant and should be kept in rooms with less of a chance of spills. Hardwood floors do beautifully in living rooms, dens, hallways, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Luxury Vinyl Tile is more moisture resistant and looks beautiful in just about every room of the house. It does well in bathrooms and kitchens, entry ways, and heavy traffic areas as water will not bother it. 

The debate of hardwood flooring or luxury vinyl tile will be going on for a long time. It all comes down to personal preference and whether or not you want to pay more for your floors. They both measure up well in the durability test and they're both built to last for a long time. They're both gorgeous options and elegant. It is also hard to truly tell them apart. They are both excellent options for your home.

If LVT isn’t for you, check out our extensive collection of solid and engineered hardwoods, including Brazilian tigerwood, Brazilian oak, and more!