LVT Vs Engineered Wood Flooring

Wondering whether to invest in LVT or engineered wood flooring? Thanks to advancements in the industry, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) floors feature hyper-realistic designs that look just like the real thing. This means that aesthetically, there is very little difference between the two.

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So, how do choose between LVT and engineered flooring if they look almost identical? In this blog, we will reveal the key things to consider before choosing the right flooring type for your home or business.

What is LVT Flooring Made From?

LVT flooring is a multi-layered floor, mostly made from PVC. It contains a photographic top layer to make it look identical to real wood or stone.

PVC is mixed with several other compounds, and the layers are compressed together to create a sturdy flooring solution.

What is Engineered Wood Flooring Made From?

Engineered wood flooring is manufactured using a multi-layered construction using a combination of real and synthetic wood. The surface is made from solid wood, while the other layers are made from plywood.

As the surface is created from real wood, it looks identical to the real thing. The only difference is that it is slightly thinner than most solid wood flooring.

Which is Waterproof?

LVT floors are mostly fully waterproof, meaning you can install them anywhere in the home.

Engineered wood floors benefit from slight water resistance. This means they can withstand spills provided they are cleaned up quickly. However, one of the cons of engineered hardwood floors is that there are no fully waterproof version so you should never install them in high-moisture rooms.

Comparing Durability

LVT floors come in a range of thicknesses. This can impact the durability of the floor. They are largely wear resistant, offering great scratch and stain resistance. You’ll also find luxury vinyl tiles really easy to keep clean and maintain. Most LVT floors will last at least a decade, and some even feature a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

One of the main benefits of engineered wood floors is that they are easy to clean and maintain. They also do not warp or become damaged by slight moisture and temperature changes. While they will still expand and shrink throughout the year, they can withstand higher fluctuations in temperature and moisture, making them more practical in the home than solid wood.

In terms of scratch resistance, LVT tends to be the better option. It can also withstand higher fluctuations than any wooden floor. This makes it the more practical choice of flooring for pet owners out of the two.

Installing LVT vs Engineered Wood Flooring

LVT floors can be slightly easier to install than engineered wood floors if they contain a click system. However, most LVT floors need to be installed using the Gluedown method.

Engineered wood floors mostly feature a tongue and groove method. This is straightforward to do, but it will take a little more time than LVT click installation.

As you don’t need to secure the floor down like you do with solid wood flooring, you should still be able to carry out the installation yourself.

Room Suitability

You can install LVT and engineered wood floors in pretty much the same areas. However, as LVT floors benefit from a 100% waterproof design, you can potentially install them in high-moisture areas. this makes it an ideal floor for bathrooms.

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Engineered wood floors are never suitable for moisture prone settings. We do recommend you do not install your engineered wooden floors in bathrooms or other water prone areas.

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Comparing Insulation

LVT and engineered floors can be installed with underfloor heating systems. This helps to enhance their warmth and comfort all year round. This is one of the biggest advantages of engineered wood flooring, that makes people choose it for their home as opposed to solid wood flooring. You can read more about solid wood vs engineered wood floors here.

Both provide the same level of noise, though some LVT products may be slightly noisier to walk over. If sound is a concern, install an underlay with sound reducing benefits.

LVT & Engineered Wood Styles & Effects

LVT floors come in a huge variety of styles and effects. They feature wood, stone and abstract effect designs. Engineered wood floors feature the same style and effects as solid wood, including oiled, lacquered, brushed, hand-scraped finishes.

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Both LVT and engineered wood offer different types of parquet, herringbone and straight plank laying patters. LVT also offers stone tile laying patterns.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

When trying to decide between LVT and engineered wood flooring, it’s important to consider where you are installing the floor. The above are just some of the factors you’ll need to keep in mind. If you need further help determining which type of flooring is right for your home or business, give our friendly experts a call today.

Infographic: Engineered Wood Vs LVT Comparison

Download the Engineered Wood Vs LVT Comparison Infographic Here

Further Browsing

You can purchase engineered hardwood flooring here.

You can purchase LVT flooring here.