Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has become the most common replacement for carpet and old vinyl, while hardwood remains the floor many buyers expect in living areas. Both are good choices in the right rooms.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
- Waterproof core — suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms
- Resists scratches and dents from pets and kids
- Comfortable and quiet over a good underlayment
- Cannot be refinished; damaged planks are replaced
- Good value, especially for rentals
Hardwood
- Warm, natural and long-lasting
- Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times
- Sensitive to water and large humidity swings
- Usually higher cost
- Often preferred by buyers in living areas
Engineered Hardwood
A real wood surface on a stable core. It handles humidity changes and concrete slabs better than solid wood, and can usually be refinished a limited number of times.
Where Each Works Best
- Kitchens, baths, laundry: LVP or tile
- Living and dining rooms: hardwood or engineered hardwood
- Homes on a slab: engineered hardwood or LVP
- Rental units: commercial-grade LVP
Before You Choose
Check whether you already have hardwood under carpet — many older homes do, and refinishing it may cost less than any new floor.
See our flooring services.
What Installation Involves
- Removing old flooring and checking the subfloor
- Levelling low spots and fixing squeaks
- Testing moisture on concrete slabs
- Installing underlayment or vapour barrier as required
- Installing the floor with proper expansion gaps
- Fitting transitions, thresholds and baseboards
Most flooring problems — gaps, clicking, lifting — come from skipped subfloor preparation, not the flooring itself.
Cost Factors
- Material quality and thickness
- Removal of the old floor
- Subfloor repairs and levelling
- Stairs, which take much more labour per square foot
- Baseboards and transitions
A written price after measuring the rooms includes all of these, so the price already covers what is found when the old floor comes up.
Environmental Considerations
Hardwood is a natural, renewable material when responsibly sourced. LVP is long-lasting and waterproof. Both can be good choices; low-emission products and proper installation support healthy indoor air.
Not sure where to start? Send a few photos with the estimate form — we can often price a job from them, and we reply within 3–6 business hours.
Common Questions
Is LVP really waterproof?
Most LVP has a waterproof core, so spills and splashes will not damage it. Water can still get under it at the edges or seams, so leaks need to be fixed quickly.
Can hardwood go in a kitchen?
Yes, with care. Wipe up spills quickly and use mats near the sink. Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood in kitchens on a slab.
Does LVP add value to a home?
Quality LVP is widely accepted by buyers, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and rentals. Hardwood is still often preferred in living areas of higher-end homes.
