Estimates predict that we will spend more than $27 billion on flooring in the US this year.
It’s not that hard to understand. You can’t have a home without flooring after all.
Choosing the right flooring can make your home look truly stunning. There is a range of options out there to suit any taste. Two of the most popular are hardwood and vinyl.
Read on as we compare vinyl vs. hardwood to see which is right for you.
Looks
One of the key reasons that hardwood floors are so popular is for their timeless looks. So can vinyl flooring match up?
Vinyl flooring can mimic the look of hardwood flooring with photorealistic images of hardwood sealed beneath a clear wear layer. (You can learn more about the construction of vinyl flooring here.) It is becoming increasingly hard to tell vinyl from hardwood at first glance.
If you look closely you will be able to tell the difference, but modern vinyl comes very close to giving hardwood a run for its money on the looks front.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Hardwood floors are fairly easy to maintain.
Sweeping or vacuuming will keep debris and dust at bay, but they cannot be damp mopped as liquid can stain them. If your hardwood floors sustain any serious scratches, they can be sanded and refinished to have them looking as good as new.
Vinyl is even easier to clean. You can sweep and vacuum, but if you have any spills or stains you can also happily wet mop a vinyl floor. The only downside when it comes to maintenance is that if you have major scratches, they cannot be repaired.
Durability
Hardwood floors can last you a lifetime if they are cared for properly. If they’re not properly maintained however the damage can be too severe for them to be refinished properly.
High-quality vinyl flooring now comes with hard wear layers that are extremely long-lasting. Some companies will offer warranties of 20 years or more on their products.
Damage to hardwood floors is more likely to be repairable. A rip to your vinyl flooring means it will probably need replacing.
Cost
When it comes to cost, there’s no contest at all.
Even the cheapest low-quality hardwood floor will cost you more than high-quality vinyl flooring. If you want high-quality hardwood you can be looking at up to five times the price.
If cost is an important consideration then vinyl flooring wins hands down.
Vinyl vs. Hardwood: Which Is Your Choice?
We hope this article on vinyl vs. hardwood has helped you to make your own decision. If you’re looking for flooring for an investment property then both types of flooring have their merits.
If you’ve yet to find the investment property you want, then we can help with that too. On our supersite of Miami luxury real estate, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect investment property for your needs.
Check out our listings today.
