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Material, installation and refinishing reserve side by side for hardwood and LVP.
Typical US projects comparing like-for-like grades.
Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: 500 sq ft, engineered · 500 sq ft, solid oak · 1,000 sq ft, engineered · 1,000 sq ft, premium · 2,000 sq ft, mid
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Measure the space, compare the same grade, then decide on lifespan and resale.
LVP is cheaper installed, about $3 to $14 per sq ft against $7 to $30 for hardwood. A 500 sq ft floor is roughly $3,500 in LVP or $7,000 in mid-range hardwood.
Fifteen to 25 years for quality LVP with a 12 mil or thicker wear layer. Thin product in a busy household can wear through in under 10 years.
Fifty to 100 years for solid wood, with refinishing every 10 to 15 years. Engineered wood lasts 20 to 40 years and can be refinished once or twice.
Real hardwood is a recognised value signal, especially in living areas and bedrooms. LVP rarely adds value but does not hurt in kitchens and basements.
Yes, over most hard, flat surfaces with a suitable underlayment. It cannot go over carpet, and the subfloor must be flat within the manufacturer's tolerance.
LVP resists scratches, water and accidents better. Hardwood scratches and dents, and water damage is expensive to repair.
Using the calculator defaults, 500 sq ft, engineered gives Hardwood installed: $4,748 and LVP installed: $3,445, with a typical range $3,893 to $5,792. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.
Using the calculator defaults, 2,000 sq ft, mid gives Hardwood installed: $18,990 and LVP installed: $13,780, with a typical range $15,572 to $23,168. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.