Two flooring choices available to homeowners today are hardwood floors and vinyl ¹ flooring. Hardwood flooring may be made of a solid piece of wood or it may be engineered with several layers of plywood ² beneath a hardwood veneer ³. Oak and maple are the most common hardwoods used. Vinyl flooring is a single layer of textured and dyed material over a rubberized plastic. It is usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, a synthetic material from the petroleum industry.

Each flooring type has pros and cons, which are discussed below. The choice depends on the homeowner’s budget, the rooms to be floored, and personal taste.

Costs

The greatest factor affecting the cost is the quality and type of the materials used. Vinyl flooring is less expensive to purchase and install, offering homeowners the greatest immediate value. Vinyl flooring comes in three basic types: sheet, tile, and planks. Sheet vinyl is the most cost effective material at $0.50 to $2 per square foot. Tiles and planks are similar to each other in price, ranging from $2 to $7 per square foot. Hardwood, on the other hand, ranges widely in price according to the type of wood desired. Oak or maple planks cost from $4 to $14 per square foot, pre-finished. More expensive wood varieties such as mahogany, wenge, and teak have much higher price tags, $25 per square foot and greater. Installation can be much higher also if the hardwood flooring is not pre-finished.

The average cost of vinyl floor tiles or planks is about $3 per square foot, and the average installation cost is $2.50 per square foot for a total of $5.50 per square foot. However, a pre-finished, average-quality hardwood choice with installation will cost approximately $8.25 per square foot.

The higher cost of hardwood flooring can be justified, however, by the increased resale value of a home. Installing vinyl flooring adds no long-term value to the home.

Maintenance

Vinyl has the least complicated maintenance needs. It should be regularly swept and mopped with recommended cleansers. Vinyl floors can also be vacuumed with the brush feature disengaged. In order to avoid wear in heavy traffic areas, homeowners can use area rugs or runners. Damaged vinyl cannot be repaired only replaced.

Hardwood floors should be swept or dusted often to avoid scratches from small dirt particles. The homeowner should use products specifically designed for wood to prevent moisture from damaging the wood. About every ten years, wood floors will need to be refinished and, if necessary, repaired.

Durability

Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan, but they must be carefully maintained. In terms of day-to-day use, vinyl is more durable although it is susceptible to cuts and scratches. Dust, dirt particles, high heels, and pet claws can damage hardwood floors.

When damaged, hardwood can be refinished and look almost new for generations. Once the dyed layer of vinyl is scratched or worn through, it must be replaced.

The biggest difference in durability is moisture resistance. Hardwood floors are prone to moisture damage, so they should not be used in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements. However, vinyl is impervious to moisture damage, making it useful throughout the home.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others

² Plywood: An engineered construction material manufactured from thin slices of wood glued together in alternating grain patterns for strength

⁴ Subfloor: The bottom-most layer of a floor, supported by joists, over which finished flooring material is laid

⁵ Radiant floor heating: (Also known as Radiant flooring) A heating system using tubes or electric wires installed underneath the flooring