The short answer
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) installs for about $4–$8 per square foot (basic) to $6–$15 (premium), it is fully waterproof, and it lasts 15–30 years before it is replaced. Solid hardwood runs $11–$25 per square foot, is not waterproof, and lasts 50+ years because it can be sanded and refinished rather than torn out. Engineered hardwood sits between them at $9–$20.
So the decision isn't really "which is better" — it is which room, and how long do you plan to keep it. LVP wins wet rooms, basements, rentals, and tight budgets; hardwood wins main living areas, long stays, and resale in markets that expect wood. The figures below are planning ranges, not bids — price your exact room size and material in the flooring cost calculator.
| Material | Installed cost | Waterproof? | Refinish? | Lifespan |
|---|
| LVP — basic (4–5 mm) | $4 – $8/sf | Yes | No — replace | 15 – 25 yr |
| LVP — premium (6–8 mm) | $6 – $15/sf | Yes | No — replace | 20 – 30 yr |
| Engineered hardwood | $9 – $20/sf | No | 1–2 times | 30+ yr |
| Solid hardwood (oak / maple) | $11 – $25/sf | No | Many times | 50+ yr |
| Solid hardwood premium (walnut / hickory) | $20 – $35/sf | No | Many times | 75+ yr |
Upfront cost: LVP is a fraction of hardwood
On price, this isn't close. Basic LVP installs for $4–$8 per square foot; solid hardwood is $11–$25. That gap compounds across a whole house. The flooring calculator's published room and whole-home bands make the spread concrete:
| Area | Basic LVP | Solid hardwood |
|---|
| 12 × 12 room (144 sq ft) | $580 – $1,150 | $1,600 – $3,600 |
| 500 sq ft | $2,000 – $4,000 | $5,500 – $12,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 – $8,000 | $11,000 – $25,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft (whole home) | $8,000 – $16,000 | $22,000 – $50,000 |
Whole-home, hardwood costs roughly three times what basic LVP does. Premium LVP ($6–$15/sf) and engineered hardwood ($9–$20/sf) overlap in the middle, which is where a lot of real decisions actually land — a high-end vinyl that looks convincingly like wood, against an engineered wood that is wood on top.
Water and wear: LVP's home-field advantage
The single biggest practical difference is water. LVP is fully waterproof — spills, pet accidents, and damp basements don't faze it — which makes it the right floor for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and any below-grade space. Its printed wear layer also shrugs off scratches and dents from kids, dogs, and rolling chairs better than a soft wood.
Solid hardwood should not go below grade or in wet rooms; standing water and humidity swings cup and gap it. Engineered hardwood — a real-wood veneer over a plywood core — tolerates more humidity than solid and can go over concrete on grade, but it still is not waterproof. If a room ever sees water, LVP is the answer.
Lifespan and refinishing: hardwood's home-field advantage
Here the logic reverses. LVP's wear layer is thin and printed: when it wears through or a plank is gouged, you replace it — there is nothing to sand. That is why even premium LVP tops out around 20–30 years.
Solid hardwood is the opposite. A worn or dated hardwood floor gets sanded and refinished — new color, new finish, same boards — and a solid floor can take that treatment several times over its life. That is why hardwood lasts 50+ years (premium species 75+) and why a scuffed 40-year-old floor can be made to look new for a fraction of a full replacement. Budget for refinishing (see the hardwood refinishing calculator), not replacement, as hardwood's long-run cost — it is the mechanism behind its longevity.
Resale and feel
Real hardwood is a feature buyers and appraisers recognize — especially in the main living areas of mid- and higher-priced homes — and the fact that a future owner can refinish it is part of why. LVP reads as a practical, neutral, low-maintenance finish rather than a premium selling point; good LVP in the right rooms rarely hurts value, but it doesn't add the way wood can in a wood-expecting market.
Underfoot, the two feel different: LVP over a pad is quiet, forgiving, and warm; hardwood is solid and has the acoustic and resale cachet of the real thing. Neither is "better" — it depends on whether you are optimizing for budget and durability or for material authenticity and long-term value.
Frequently asked questions
Is LVP cheaper than hardwood?
Yes, by a wide margin. Basic luxury vinyl plank installs for about $4–$8 per square foot and premium LVP for $6–$15, versus $11–$25 for solid hardwood and $9–$20 for engineered hardwood. On a 1,000 sq ft area that is roughly $4,000–$8,000 in basic LVP against $11,000–$25,000 in solid hardwood.
How much does it cost to install LVP vs hardwood?
For a 12×12 room (144 sq ft), basic LVP runs about $580–$1,150 and solid hardwood about $1,600–$3,600 installed. For a 500 sq ft area, LVP is roughly $2,000–$4,000 and hardwood $5,500–$12,500. For a 1,000 sq ft area, LVP is about $4,000–$8,000 and hardwood $11,000–$25,000. Premium LVP ($6–$15 per square foot) and engineered hardwood ($9–$20) overlap in the middle.
Does hardwood add more resale value than LVP?
Generally yes. Real hardwood is a feature buyers and appraisers recognize, especially in main living areas of mid- and higher-priced homes, and it can be refinished by future owners. LVP reads as a practical, neutral finish rather than a premium selling point, though good LVP in the right rooms rarely hurts value. If resale in a wood-expecting market matters, hardwood carries more weight.
Can LVP be refinished?
No. Luxury vinyl plank has a thin printed wear layer; when it is worn or damaged you replace it, you do not sand and refinish it. Hardwood is the opposite: a solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished several times over its life, which is why it lasts 50+ years while LVP is a 15–30 year floor. Budget for refinishing, not replacement, as hardwood's long-run upkeep.
Is LVP or hardwood better for a basement, kitchen, or bathroom?
LVP, clearly. Luxury vinyl plank is fully waterproof, so it is the right choice for basements, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and any below-grade or moisture-prone space. Solid hardwood should not go below grade or in wet rooms; engineered hardwood tolerates more humidity than solid but still is not waterproof. Save hardwood for main-level living areas and bedrooms.
Which lasts longer, LVP or hardwood?
Hardwood, by a lot, if it is maintained. Basic LVP lasts about 15–25 years and premium LVP 20–30, after which it is replaced. Solid hardwood lasts 50+ years and premium species 75+, because it can be refinished rather than replaced. LVP wins on upfront cost and water resistance; hardwood wins on lifespan and the ability to be renewed.
Which should you pick?
- Basement, kitchen, bath, laundry, or any wet room? LVP — waterproof is non-negotiable there, and hardwood doesn't belong.
- Tight budget, rental, or flipping? Basic LVP — a third the cost of hardwood, tough, and quick to install.
- Main living areas, staying long-term, resale matters? Solid hardwood — refinishable, 50+ years, and a recognized value feature.
- Want real wood over concrete or on a budget? Engineered hardwood — genuine wood surface, more humidity-tolerant, one or two refinishes.
- Want a wood look with zero worry? Premium LVP — the convincing-wood-look tier that still wipes clean and can't be water-damaged.
Whichever way you lean, price your exact room size, material, and demo — then check any contractor quote against the band with the built-in bid check:
Flooring cost calculator →
