Flooring, compared.
The six comparisons people actually make, each with the same fixed table and a verdict for each side. Then the finder, because the right answer depends on the house.
| Hardwood | Vinyl plank | Tile | Carpet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $12.50–$19 / sq ft | $6–$9.50 / sq ft | $13.50–$24 / sq ft | $5.50–$8.50 / sq ft |
| Water resistance | Very poor | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
| Durability | Good | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Maintenance | Fair | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Lifespan | 50–100 years | 15–25 years | 50–100 years | 10–20 years |
| DIY difficulty | A trade | Easy | Hard | Hard |
| Pets | Poor | Good | Excellent | Poor |
| Kids | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
Hardwood vs luxury vinyl plank
This is the comparison most people are really making: the floor buyers recognize against the floor that survives the dog and the dishwasher.
Solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood
The same surface, a different core.
Luxury vinyl plank vs laminate
Two click-together, wood-look, DIY-friendly floors at similar prices.
Tile vs luxury vinyl
Both are waterproof, which is why they meet in the same rooms: kitchens, baths, laundry, mudrooms.
Carpet vs hard-surface flooring
The question underneath most whole-house decisions.
Laminate vs hardwood
A photograph of wood against wood.
Don’t start with the flooring. Start with your home.
Eight questions about the rooms, the household, the subfloor and the budget. A ranked shortlist with the reasons, the watch-outs and a project estimate.
8 questions · about 2 minutes · no obligation