Two top flooring choices available to homeowners today are hardwood floors and vinyl flooring. Hardwood flooring may be made of a solid piece of wood, or it may be engineered with several layers of plywood beneath a hardwood veneer. 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 benefits. The choice depends on the homeowner’s budget, the rooms to be floored, and personal taste.
Hardwood Flooring Vs Vinyl Flooring
Flooring
Hardwood flooring can be installed directly onto a level wooden subfloor or a cement foundation. An expansion gap is necessary around the perimeter of the floor to allow the boards to swell and contract from moisture. Hardwood does not forgive an uneven subfloor structure as well as vinyl because wood can bend over time.
While a perfectly level floor is not necessary for vinyl flooring, a perfectly clean surface is needed. Vinyl may be installed onto wood, concrete, or on a layer of existing flooring. Vinyl planks or tiles have a peel and stick backing and are also glued to the floor surface. This can make them difficult to remove if remodeling is desired. Additionally, vinyl needs a moisture barrier between the vinyl and the subfloor.
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, bamboo, 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 $8.25per 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.
Appearance
Hardwood floors offer amore attractive appearance with warmth and character. Since they are made from solid woods, they show the natural tones and grains. The colors range from neutrals to reddish hues depending on the trees used. Wood adds warmth to a room in design and in reality, it is also a good insulator.
Modern vinyl planks are dyed and textured on the outer layer to mimic many different hardwood species, even the most expensive varieties. Once professionally installed, only a close examination will show the difference between vinyl and hardwood. Vinyl has a softer, more sound absorbent quality than wood due to a layer of rubberized backing.
Maintenance
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 dampness from damaging the wood. Aboutevery ten years, wood floors will need to be refinished and repaired.
Vinyl has the least complicated maintenance needs. It should be regularly swept and mopped with recommended cleansers. Vinyl floors should 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.
Environmental Impact
Since hardwood flooring is made from natural wood, it is a renewable resource. It has a lower environmental impact. To check a particular wood variety’s impact on the environment, look for certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. Hardwood floors can be recycled when removed, but vinyl flooring made of PVC cannot be recycled.
Vinyl is not as environmentally friendly since it is made largely from PVC resin. Concerns exist about emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)from PVC products including vinyl flooring. Floorscore ® IAQ certification notes Indoor Air Quality and was developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute which rates these VOC emissions.
Durability
Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan, but they must be carefully maintained. Dust, dirt particles, high heels, and pet claws can damage hardwood floors. When damaged, hardwood can be refinished and look almost new for years. 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.
In terms of day-to-day use, vinyl is more durable and water resistant. Although it is susceptible to cuts and scratches, vinyl is impervious to moisture damage. Vinyl is useful throughout the home. Once the dyed layer of vinyl is scratched or worn through, it must be replaced.
Radiant Flooring
Hardwood floors and vinyl floors can be installed over radiant heating. However, the installation of hardwood floors should be floating or made with an interlocking tongue and groove edge rather than a glue down or nail down installation. Furthermore, it is not recommended to use radiant floor heating under a plank wider than 3 inches. Additionally, as the constant temperature changes and builds up of condensation, the floor may be damaged. To know more about the use of hardwood/bamboo flooring over radiant heating, it is recommended to consult the American Hardwood Information Center.
Hardwood Flooring Vs Vinyl Flooring
Contact us
VCH Flooring stands by the promise to do the job right. Our professional installers will perform services consistent with the industry standards to your satisfaction. Using VCH Flooring warranties the services provided with a DONE RIGHT GUARANTEE. If you have concerns after the installation, contact us within 60 days and the services with be re-done at no additional cost. Product warranties vary by manufacturer. Because we are a services company and do not manufacture products, we only warranty our services with the DONE RIGHT GUARANTEE. We will disclose the warranties before the work begins as part of our transparency policy to be good neighbors who serve the community with excellence. VCH Flooring 1812 Underwood Blvd, Delran, NJ 08075 Email vchflooring@gmail.comWebsite https://vchflooring.com/contact-us/
(856) 393-1310