Hardwood vs. LVP: Cost, Durability and Which Floor to Choose
Real wood or luxury vinyl plank? A plain comparison of cost, water resistance, scratches, refinishing and where each one makes sense in a Connecticut home.
If you want real wood that can be refinished for decades and you're flooring dry, above-grade rooms, hardwood is hard to beat. If you need water resistance, you have dogs or kids, or you're flooring a basement, kitchen or rental, LVP is usually the better fit. A lot of houses end up with both.
Cost
| Item | LVP | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Installed, per sq ft | $4 to $16 | $6 to $12 (premium $13 to $25) |
| Labor, per sq ft | $2 to $6 | $3 to $6 |
| Material, per sq ft | $2 to $10 | Solid $5 to $28, engineered $4.50 to $16 |
Source: HomeGuide, "How Much Does Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost?" (LVP); Angi, hardwood floor installation cost, updated Sept 2026 (hardwood).
The ranges overlap more than people expect. A cheap hardwood can cost about the same as a premium LVP. For more detail see LVP installation cost in Connecticut and hardwood installation cost in CT.
Side by side
| LVP | Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Waterproof plank | Damaged by standing water |
| Scratches | Good, depends on wear layer | Scratches and dents, can be sanded out |
| Refinishing | No. Worn planks get replaced | Yes. Solid can be sanded many times |
| Basements | Yes | Solid generally no, some engineered yes |
| Feel and sound | Softer, can sound hollower | Solid and warm underfoot |
| Lifespan | Depends on product and traffic | Can last the life of the house |
Where hardwood makes sense
- Living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms on main and upper floors
- Older homes where the rest of the house already has wood floors and you want it to match
- Homeowners planning to stay a long time who like the idea of refinishing instead of replacing
In a lot of older homes around Pomfret, Woodstock and Thompson, patching in or extending existing hardwood keeps the house consistent. That's a strong reason to stick with wood.
Where LVP makes sense
- Kitchens, baths, mudrooms, laundry and basements
- Homes with big dogs or young kids
- Rentals, where fast turnover and water resistance matter most
- Uneven older floors, where a floating rigid-core plank is more forgiving than nail-down wood
What about resale?
Some buyers still see real hardwood as a plus. Others care more about a clean, consistent, low-maintenance floor. What hurts resale most is worn-out, mismatched or damaged flooring, no matter the material. If you're getting ready to sell, read our pre-listing guide.
Engineered hardwood is the middle ground
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a more stable core. It's more tolerant of humidity swings than solid and can go in some places solid can't. We break it down in engineered vs. solid hardwood.
Our take
We install both, and we don't push one. At the free walkthrough we look at the rooms, the subfloor and how you live, then give you a written fixed-price quote within 48 hours. If you already bought the flooring, we install customer-supplied product too. Book a walkthrough and bring your questions.
Quick answers
Is LVP cheaper than hardwood?
Often, but the ranges overlap. LVP runs about $4 to $16 per square foot installed and hardwood about $6 to $12, with premium hardwood higher.
Which lasts longer, hardwood or LVP?
Solid hardwood can last the life of the house because it can be sanded and refinished. LVP can't be refinished, so worn planks are replaced.
Can hardwood go in a kitchen?
It can, but it needs quick cleanup of spills and can be damaged by standing water. Many people choose LVP or tile for kitchens for that reason.