We rarely think about flooring, but it could be the most important part of your home! It’s quite literally the foundation. With a busy lifestyle, kids, and pets running around, choosing the perfect flooring option that fits your needs is crucial! There are typically three main options for hardwood flooring you’ll run into, so let’s go over them!
Flooring Options
1. LVP
LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank. It’s made entirely from vinyl yet designed to look like hardwood flooring. What I love about LVP is its affordability and ease of installation! Secondly, it’s incredibly durable and water-resistant, perfect for families with young kiddos. Finally, LVP is available in a variety of styles and colors, so it pairs easily with a wide range of decor and designs.
2. Hardwood
Traditional hardwood flooring is stunning! It’s made from solid planks of natural wood, such as maple, oak, or cherry. A benefit of hardwood is the ability to sand and refinish it, which allows it to last for decades while keeping its integrity intact. Secondly, if you do sand down hardwood, you can choose to stain it a lighter or darker color. While it does add significant value to your home, this option can be pricey and natural wood is more susceptible to moisture and humidity.
3. Engineered Hardwood
To make engineered hardwood, manufacturers layer multiple thin sheets of wood (called “plies”) on top of each other. They use high-quality hardwood for the top layer, while the lower layers consist of less expensive wood materials (such as plywood or fiberboard). This process produces a cheaper alternative to traditional hardwood flooring that still maintains a similar appearance.
Why LVP was the Perfect Flooring Option for Us!
We chose LVP flooring because of the durability aspect. With three kids, a dog, and a pool in the backyard, it was a no-brainer! Our flooring is called “Mohawk Perfect Manner Amulet LVP.” We ordered all our flooring through Sherwin Williams, and while our specific option is discontinued, SW could recommend a similar alternative for you!
If you’d like to know a bit more about the design choices we made for our home, check out my blog called “Paint Colors: How to Choose the Perfect One!”
