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The selection of the flooring can make a hundred percent difference in the look, comfort, and value of your home. In Canada, where climatic conditions, lifestyles and housing patterns differ a lot, there are simply too many homes where the two best-suited vinyl and hardwood floorings are engaged to pick between.
When you compare Vinyl vs. Hardwood Flooring, Hardwood has the natural beauty and the luxury, whereas vinyl is hailed with cheap prices, sturdiness and modern stylishness. Which one then best fits in your home? And whether you are doing a renovation in the city of Vancouver, renovation in the suburbs of Ottawa, or cottage reno in the Muskoka area, this guide will assist you in making a knowledgeable choice.
Current trends have revealed an increased demand of long lasting and the ones which are easy to maintain flooring. Realistic wooden finishes of luxury vinyl planks are getting popular both in family residences and even in rented units.
Meanwhile, the hybrid between hardwood and an engineered floor is becoming more popular to consumers who desire a wood appearance with easy-to-install hardwood. An eco-friendly approach is also starting to become a major factor also by eco-sensitive Canadian homeowners.
Vinyl flooring is a floor product which is mainly composed of PVC. It is meant to imitate the appearance of such natural material as wood or stone. Vinyl comes in sheets, tile or plank. It is popular with Canadian homeowners. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are particularly fashionable because of their authentic look and simplicity to install.
The water-resistant and low-maintenance vinyl, which is also available in a large range of textures and finishes, is an excellent choice in busy homes.
Hardwood is a solid or engineered wood flooring. It is famous for its historic beauty, natural coziness, and durability. Canada also uses domestic flooring materials such as maple, oak, and birch, also giving many of the Canadian flooring works a domestic aspect as well.
All planks are made of hardwood, which is different and has natural grain patterns and colouring. Hardwood can be refinished as compared to vinyl, with sanding which increases its lifespan and appearance.
Vinyl and hardwood flooring vary in price. You can decide based on the budget and long-term intentions. Check here their basic breakdown of prices in Canada.
Material Costs
Vinyl Flooring: Vinyl is cheap. Standard vinyl costs between $2 and $7 per square foot. It is perfect in low-cost ventures. Luxury vinyl planks resemble more natural wood. It costs $5 to $12 per square foot. It remains less costly as compared to hardwood.
Hardwood Flooring: The hardwood is costlier. Domestic options like oak or maple cost $6 to $15 per square foot. Exotic hardwoods like teak or Brazilian walnut start at $12 per square foot. The prices can be increased. These floors are classy yet expensive.
Installation Costs
Vinyl Installation: Vinyl can be installed easily. It usually costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Installations can proceed fast. Even the old floors can be simply covered with some kinds of vinyl. This is time and cost saving.
Hardwood Installation: Installation of hardwood is difficult. It requires specific work. You can expect to pay $4 to $8 per square foot. Prep work can be additional in the case that you have uneven floors.
Total Installation Cost
Standard Vinyl: Including material and labour, standard vinyl costs around $5 to $8 per square foot. It will be an intelligent choice with regards to rental properties or economical home refurbishing.
Top Mall Luxury Vinyl Plank: LVP is a compromise of style and price. It usually costs $7 to $10 per square foot installed.
Domestic Hardwood: Domestic hardwood is also very expensive. Installed, it ranges from $11 to $18 per square foot. It is a larger investment that serves long-term value.
Appearance and Style
The Appearance of Hardwood: The hardwood floor is usually described to be elegant, warm, and having character. The planks are unique in their grain and natural imperfection to give them a rich-looking appearance. With time, hardwood will get patina, which will enhance depth and individuality in your area. Among the homeowners of Canada, purchasing hardwood, to them, seems an expensive option that adds value to their floor.
The appearance of Vinyl: Vinyl can be made to look like hardwood, stone and tile, due to sophisticated printing technology. Top-quality luxury vinyl planks provide realistic textures and wood grains and thus are a fashionable replacement for old materials. In a greater variety of colours and patterns, vinyl may also provide you with more flexibility in case you want to follow the modern trends or to experiment with the bold styles.
Durability & Maintenance
Hardwood: To the contrary, hardwood flooring is quite durable although it requires maintenance. It is durable and it may last several decades, at least when it is refinanced after every 10-15 years. It is, however, more prone to scratches and dents and moisture damage.
During Canadian winters, humidity, which leads to shrinking and cracking of hardwood planks, can easily occur when the indoor moisture content is not taken care of. One should use a humidifier in cold months to continue with consistent habitat inside.
Vinyl: Vinyl floors are strengthened to bear traffic remarkably. It is also waterproof and scratchproof, making it best suited in high traffic areas, houses with children or even a place with pets. In contrast to hardwood, vinyl does not respond to humidity or moisture.
In houses built in rainy or snowy places such as British Columbia or Atlantic Canada, vinyl works better as it resists fluctuating weather.
Installation
Vinyl Installation: Vinyl flooring requires less time and effort to be laid as compared to hardwood. Vinyl planks are manufactured in large numbers with Click-lock, which provides a user who is a homeowner to install without glue or nails. It is also frequently applied over already installed floors, which beats preparation time and costs.
It allows weekend renovation or low-cost contracting, so this factor contributes to vinyl as a good choice.
Hardwood Installation: Hardwood is labour-intensive to install and most often involves professional assistance. Preparation should be done to the subfloor, and depending on the wood type, it might take some time to be allowed to assimilate into the humidity on the ground before it can be installed.
Such hardwoods as solid must be nailed or glued down to the surface, whereas engineered hardwood has more mobile purposes with solutions such as floating floors.
Comfort and Feel Underfoot
When walking on hardwood, it is natural, solid and warm. It is also slightly insulated and soundproof proofing which can be useful in Canadian winters.
Vinyl is lower and more padded primarily when laid out on a foam or a cork underlay. It is soft underfoot and does have the benefit of reducing overall noise levels, but it is not likely to be as lavish looking as real wood.
Moisture and Water Resistance
This is one of the places in which vinyl excels. It is also very moisture resistant; it can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. Vinyls are waterproof, so safe for kitchen and bathroom flooring.
Hardwood, however, is not moisture tolerant. Being in contact with water over a long period may warp them, cup, or develop mould. Better moisture resistance is offered by engineered hardwood, which, however, is no match to vinyl in wet conditions.
Lifespan and Maintenance
Hardwood flooring has a life span of 40-100 years. It also lasts long since it can be sanded and refinished several times.
Vinyl flooring usually lasts around 10-25 years. It can not be refinished, however, broken-down planks may be replaced one by one.
When it comes to decades-long stays in the house or passing it on, hardwood can be worth the premium sales. Vinyl has greater value and less maintenance in case of rented housing.
Sustainability
Hardwood is a renewable and natural substance, particularly when sustainably-managed forest is used to harvest hardwood. A lot of Canadian hardwood manufacturers engage in sustainable forestry. Check to find FSC-certified products to be eco-friendly.
Vinyl is a created product which is not biodegradable. Nevertheless, there are manufacturers who are making efforts to minimize their impact on the environment by resorting to the use of recycling materials and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) offerings.
Air Quality
Generally, hardwood has less chemical emission and improves the indoor air quality. Not all vinyl products will produce VOCs, but certified low-VOC vinyl flooring is freely available in Canada.
Resale Value
Hardwood has been perceived to be a long-term investment. It adds value to the home and it is an attractive selling point in the majority of Canadian real estate. The consumers consider hardwood as a superior addition, particularly in densely populated cities.
Vinyl might not be as exciting when it comes to resale value, yet luxury vinyl is getting more popular. It is industrious and clever to have in new condos and rentals, and looks good to boot.
In a decision between the use of vinyl flooring and hardwood flooring, one ought to consider the use of the individual rooms. Various rooms at home have various requirements in terms of moisture, movement, and comfort. And here is a little more detail as to what suits best in each region.
Living Room
The living rooms can be done in hardwood. It brings coziness and glamour to a place to make it feel friendly. In many Canadian houses, hardwood is utilized in this area as it gives the area a classier appearance and can cope with normal traffic. When maintained, it can last decades and can acquire an old, lived-in nature.
Kitchen
It is more advisable to use vinyl in kitchens. Insufficient remedies in this field include spills, stains and heavy traffic. Vinyl flooring does not absorb moisture; thus, cleaning is easy. It provides favourable slip resistance, and it is not easily warped by the presence of water. Vinyl is long-lasting, and that makes it convenient, especially when one cooks frequently or has children.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are also about water resistance. Vinyl is perfect in this case. It withstands steam, splashes and moisture. On the contrary, hardwood may swell and crack when it is subjected to a wet environment. Vinyl is the option that guarantees the safety and durability without loss of style.
Bedrooms
In the case of bedrooms, hardwood has the best preference. It makes you feel warm and natural on the feet and exudes a relaxing and serene environment. Hardwood also enhances the value of your house and matches with carpets to give extra comfort. It is specially adapted to master bedrooms or guest rooms in which moisture is not an issue.
Basement
The temperature changes and dampness are common in basements. That qualifies vinyl as a safer one. It is water-resistant and will not get damaged due to minor leakages or condensation. Most of the vinyls will also include some insulation; therefore, the basement, which would otherwise feel considerably chilly, will be warmer and more pleasant.
Entryway
The entry foyer has to handle many wet and muddy boots, road salt and large foot traffic. Vinyl can resist such harsh environments. It cleans easily and it is not easily scratched. Hardwood may be beautiful, but it is more practical in this region to use vinyl because it is more durable.
The decision regarding vinyl and hardwood floors is not too difficult to make. Considering this, given available budget, lifestyle, where you will be based, and other long-term objectives, you can comfortably make a correct decision on your Canadian home.
In case you are still in doubt, contact a local flooring specialist, demand samples and think about how each one will fit your daily life. The right floor will not merely appear exquisite but succeed in fulfilling quite realistic needs of your home in the years to come.
