Flooring
Hardwood vs LVP in 2026: Which Is Right for Your Home?
LVP isn't 'fake hardwood' anymore — and real hardwood isn't always the right call. Here's how to decide for your home.
January 28, 2026 · 6 min read
The short answer
If you have kids, pets, a basement, or anywhere with humidity swings, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is probably the right call. If you're staying long-term in a stable, climate-controlled home and care about resale in a premium market, real hardwood still wins.
Engineered hardwood splits the difference — real wood veneer, dimensional stability of plywood — and is what we install most often in Upstate homes.
Cost in 2026
Solid hardwood: $9–$18 per sq ft installed, finished on-site.
Engineered hardwood: $8–$14 per sq ft installed.
Premium LVP (5mm+ with attached pad): $5–$9 per sq ft installed.
These are real Upstate numbers, not internet averages. Subfloor prep, trim, and transitions can add another $1–$2/sq ft on top.
Where LVP genuinely wins
Waterproof, scratch resistant, dent resistant, and stable across humidity swings. You can install it over concrete, in basements, in mudrooms, and in bathrooms.
Modern wear layers (20+ mil) hold up to dogs, drag-out chairs, and dropped cast iron without flinching.
Where real hardwood still wins
Resale in higher-end neighborhoods. Buyers in $600K+ homes still expect real wood in the main living areas. A great refinish can take 80-year-old oak and make it look brand new — LVP gets ripped out and replaced.
Character. Real wood has movement, grain variation, and patinas with age. The best LVP looks fantastic — but a wide-plank white oak floor is still its own thing.
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