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Vinyl plank, laminate or hardwood: which floor is right for you?

How luxury vinyl plank, laminate and hardwood compare for cost, water resistance, durability, comfort and resale, and which rooms each one suits.

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Most homeowners in Oxford County end up choosing between three floors. Each has a place, and many homes use more than one.

Luxury vinyl plank

Pros: waterproof, quiet, comfortable, good for pets and kids, works in basements. Cons: can dent under heavy furniture, can't be refinished, cheaper products look less convincing.

Best for: basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, rentals and busy households.

Laminate

Pros: very scratch-resistant, convincing wood look, affordable. Cons: can swell if water sits on it, louder underfoot without a good underlay, can't be refinished.

Best for: main floors, bedrooms and homes with dogs.

Hardwood

Pros: real wood, can be refinished, adds the most to resale, lasts generations. Cons: costs more, scratches and dents, moves with humidity, not for wet areas or below grade (solid).

Best for: main floors, bedrooms and stairs where you want the real thing.

Room by room

  • Basement: vinyl plank or tile
  • Kitchen: vinyl plank, tile or hardwood with care
  • Living and dining: hardwood or laminate
  • Bedrooms: hardwood, laminate or carpet
  • Entry and mudroom: porcelain tile
  • Bathroom: tile or vinyl

Still deciding? Send the form at the top of this page and a local installer can bring samples to your home. See vinyl and laminate and hardwood.

Call (548) 554-5088