Hardwood vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank: Which is Right for Your Asheville Home?

Choosing new flooring is one of those decisions that affects your home for years to come. You'll live with it every single day, so it's worth taking the time to find the right fit. Two of the most popular options we see at our Asheville showroom are hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Both look great, but they work differently depending on your lifestyle, budget, and what your home needs.

Let's walk through what makes each option special and help you figure out which one belongs in your space.

What Makes Hardwood Flooring Special

There's something timeless about real hardwood. When you walk into a home with wood floors, you notice. It adds warmth and character that's hard to match with any other material.

Hardwood comes in dozens of species, from classic oak and maple to more exotic options like Brazilian cherry. Each type has its own grain pattern and color, which means your floors will be completely unique to your home. As hardwood ages, it develops a patina that many homeowners love. Those small imperfections and color changes tell the story of your home over time.

One of the biggest advantages of hardwood is that you can refinish it. Scratches, dents, and wear can be sanded away, and your floors can look brand new again. Depending on the thickness of your hardwood, you can refinish it multiple times throughout its life. Some hardwood floors last 100 years or more with proper care.

Hardwood also tends to increase your home's resale value. Buyers in Asheville appreciate authentic materials, and hardwood floors are often at the top of their wish list.

The Case for Luxury Vinyl Plank

LVP has come a long way in recent years. The quality and realism of today's luxury vinyl plank would surprise you if you're picturing the vinyl floors from decades ago. Modern LVP can mimic the look of hardwood so closely that most people can't tell the difference until they get down on their hands and knees.

The biggest advantage of LVP is durability. It's waterproof, scratch-resistant, and stands up to heavy traffic better than almost any other flooring type. If you have kids, pets, or an active household, LVP handles the chaos without showing much wear. Spills wipe up easily, and you don't have to worry about water damage the way you do with hardwood.

LVP also works in spaces where hardwood traditionally doesn't. Basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are all fair game. Here in Western North Carolina, where humidity can fluctuate with the seasons, LVP stays stable. It won't expand, contract, or warp when moisture levels change.

Installation is typically faster and less expensive than hardwood. Many LVP products use a click-lock system that goes down quickly, which means less disruption to your daily life. The material itself costs less per square foot than hardwood, making it a budget-friendly option that still looks high-end.

How They Compare in Real Life

Appearance and Feel

Hardwood has an authentic look and feel that's hard to replicate. The texture, the way light plays across the grain, and the solid feel underfoot all contribute to its appeal. LVP has improved dramatically, but if you look closely or touch the surface, you'll notice it's not real wood.

That said, LVP offers more design flexibility. You can find styles that mimic reclaimed wood, wide planks, or even exotic species that would be prohibitively expensive in real hardwood. The consistency of LVP also means fewer color variations between planks, which some people prefer for a more uniform look.

Maintenance

Hardwood requires more care. You'll need to clean up spills quickly, avoid excessive water when mopping, and refinish the floors every 10 to 20 years depending on traffic. Certain cleaners can damage the finish, so you need to be mindful about what products you use.

LVP is low-maintenance. Regular sweeping and damp mopping keep it looking good. You don't need special cleaners or worry much about scratches. The protective wear layer does most of the work for you.

Comfort and Sound

Hardwood is hard. That's not surprising given the name, but it means standing for long periods can be tough on your feet and joints. It also tends to be noisy. Footsteps, dropped items, and pet claws all create sound that carries through the house

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LVP has a bit more give, making it softer underfoot. It's also quieter than hardwood, which can be a real advantage in multi-story homes or if you have roommates who keep different schedules. Adding underlayment beneath LVP can make it even more comfortable and reduce sound transmission.

Climate Considerations for Asheville Homes

Asheville's climate brings its own set of challenges. We get humid summers and cold winters, which means indoor humidity levels swing throughout the year. Hardwood responds to these changes by expanding and contracting. If your home doesn't maintain consistent humidity levels, you might notice small gaps between boards in winter or slight cupping in summer.

LVP doesn't react to humidity changes, making it a stable choice for mountain living. If your home tends to run damp or you don't have central climate control, LVP might save you headaches down the road.

Cost Comparison

Hardwood typically costs more upfront. Material prices vary by species, but you'll generally pay more per square foot than you would for LVP. Installation costs are also higher because hardwood requires more skill and time to install properly. However, hardwood can last for generations and adds value to your home, which helps justify the investment.

LVP costs less initially and installs more quickly, keeping labor costs down. While it won't last quite as long as hardwood, quality LVP can easily give you 20 to 25 years of service. For homeowners working within a tighter budget, LVP delivers a lot of value.

Longevity and Lifespan

Well-maintained hardwood floors can last a lifetime. The ability to refinish them means you're not just stuck with surface-level wear. Even heavily damaged hardwood can often be restored to its original beauty.

LVP typically lasts 15 to 25 years before needing replacement. Once the wear layer is damaged, you can't refinish it the way you can with hardwood. However, the durability of LVP means it often stays looking good for its entire lifespan without much intervention.

Which One Fits Your Life?

Choose Hardwood If:

You love the look and feel of authentic wood and want that classic appeal in your home. You're willing to invest more upfront and put in the maintenance work to keep your floors looking their best. Your home maintains consistent humidity levels, or you're prepared to manage moisture with humidifiers and dehumidifiers. You plan to stay in your home long-term and want flooring that adds lasting value.

Choose LVP If:

You have an active household with kids, pets, or heavy foot traffic. Moisture is a concern in the rooms you're updating. You want flooring that requires minimal maintenance and still looks great. Budget is a consideration, and you want to maximize value. You need floors installed quickly without a long disruption.

What About Mixing Both?

Many Asheville homeowners use both materials in different areas of their homes. Hardwood in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms creates that warm, traditional feel. LVP in kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and basements handles moisture and wear without worry. This approach gives you the best of both worlds.

Making Your Decision

The right flooring for your home depends on how you live in your space. There's no universal "best choice" because every family has different priorities. Some people prioritize authenticity and long-term value. Others need durability and ease of maintenance above all else.

When you visit our showroom at 367 N. Louisiana Avenue, you can see both hardwood and LVP samples side by side. We carry brands like Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington, and Karndean, among others, so you'll have plenty of options to compare. Touch the surfaces, look at them in different lighting, and ask as many questions as you need.

We've helped hundreds of families in Asheville and the surrounding areas make this decision, and we're happy to talk through your specific situation. Whether you're renovating one room or redoing your entire home, we'll help you find flooring that works for your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you install hardwood in a kitchen?

You can install hardwood in a kitchen, but it requires extra care. Spills need to be wiped up immediately, and you'll want to use mats near sinks and high-traffic areas. Many homeowners prefer LVP in kitchens because it handles moisture and daily wear better.

Does LVP look fake?

Modern LVP has improved significantly. High-quality options look remarkably close to real hardwood, with realistic textures and varied plank designs. Most guests won't be able to tell the difference without close inspection.

How much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors?

Refinishing costs vary based on the size of your space and the condition of your floors, but it typically runs between $3 and $8 per square foot in the Asheville area. Contact us for a specific quote based on your project.

Is LVP safe for homes with pets?

Yes, LVP is one of the best flooring choices for pet owners. It resists scratches from claws, handles accidents without staining, and cleans up easily. The waterproof nature of LVP means you don't have to panic when your dog tracks in muddy paws.

Can hardwood be installed over radiant heating?

Some types of hardwood work with radiant heating systems, but not all. Engineered hardwood tends to perform better than solid hardwood with radiant heat. If you have or plan to install radiant heating, let us know so we can recommend compatible options.

How long does LVP installation take?

Installation time depends on the size of your space and the complexity of the layout, but most LVP projects take one to three days. It's a faster process than hardwood installation, and you can often walk on the floors immediately after installation.

Will hardwood floors increase my home's value?

Yes, hardwood floors are consistently ranked as one of the top features buyers look for in a home. They can increase your home's resale value and help your property sell faster when the time comes.

What thickness of LVP should I choose?

LVP typically ranges from 2mm to 8mm thick. Thicker planks with a substantial wear layer (20 mil or higher) perform better in high-traffic areas. We can help you choose the right thickness based on where you're installing it.