Updated July 2026 · Reviewed by RemodelyourHome.com editorial team
LVP wins for moisture resistance, cost, and versatility in most rooms. Hardwood wins on resale value and refinishability. Tile wins in wet areas. The right choice depends on your room, lifestyle, and timeline.
| Material | Cost/sqft installed | Waterproof? | Lifespan | Refinishable? | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) | $3–8 | Yes (100%) | 15–25 yr | No | Any room including bath & basement |
| Solid hardwood | $8–15 | No | 50–100 yr | Yes (5–7×) | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms |
| Engineered hardwood | $6–12 | Splash-resistant | 25–30 yr | 1–3× (limited) | Kitchens, over radiant heat |
| Porcelain tile | $5–12 | Yes (100%) | 50 yr+ | No | Bathrooms, kitchens, entryways |
| Laminate | $2–6 | No (swells) | 10–20 yr | No | Bedrooms, low-traffic only |
These materials can look similar in photos. The differences become clear underfoot — in weight, warmth, and texture.
100% waterproof PVC planks with a photographic wood-look layer beneath a clear wear coating. Clicks together without glue. Warmer and softer underfoot than tile. Works in any room including basements and bathrooms.
Milled from a single piece of wood — typically oak, maple, or hickory. Natural grain variation that LVP cannot replicate. Can be sanded and refinished 5–7 times over its life. Cannot go in basements or bathrooms.
Fired ceramic with extremely low water absorption. The hardest, heaviest flooring option. Cool underfoot. Grout lines require sealing. Best for high-moisture rooms: bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and entryways.
All LVP looks similar in the store. The critical difference is the wear layer — the transparent coating on top, measured in mils (thousandths of an inch):
6 mil: Budget — shows scratches within months with pets or heavy traffic. Avoid.
12 mil: Standard residential. Fine for most homes without large dogs.
20 mil: Heavy residential. Recommended for dogs, active families, or rentals.
Flooring isn't part of the Zonda Cost vs. Value Report, but the National Wood Flooring Association's survey of real estate agents found homes with wood floors sell faster and for as much as 10% more. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished 5–7 times over its life. A 40-year-old oak floor refinished twice looks better than new LVP installed 5 years ago. Non-negotiable: hardwood cannot go in basements, bathrooms, or near wet areas.
Kitchen: LVP or porcelain tile. Avoid solid hardwood near the sink.
Primary bathroom: Porcelain tile (best) or LVP. Never carpet or hardwood.
Living/dining room: Solid hardwood (best ROI), LVP, or engineered hardwood.
Bedroom: Hardwood, LVP, or carpet (warmest and quietest).
Basement: LVP exclusively for wood-look. Hardwood and laminate will swell.
Beyond material, how flooring is laid changes both the look and the cost — pattern affects material waste and labor time more than most homeowners expect.
Straight / plank: Boards run parallel to the longest wall — the standard, lowest-waste, most common layout for hardwood, LVP, and laminate.
Diagonal: Boards run at a 45° angle to the walls — makes small rooms feel larger, but increases material waste and installation cost due to the added cuts.
Herringbone: Short planks laid in a repeating zigzag pattern — a higher-end, more labor-intensive look that’s become popular with LVP since it installs more forgivingly than with solid hardwood.
Chevron: Similar to herringbone, but planks are cut at an angle so the pattern forms a continuous V rather than a stepped zigzag — the most labor-intensive and highest-cost pattern, and the most dramatic result.
Large-format tile: 12″×24″ or larger tiles with fewer grout lines — a popular modern choice that makes a room feel more seamless and is easier to keep clean.
Subway / running bond: Rectangular tiles laid in staggered offset rows like brickwork — a classic look most common in kitchens and bathrooms.
These are the questions homeowners ask most often before starting this project - what it costs, how long it takes, what a fair quote looks like and which details change the price. Each answer below is written to stand on its own, so you can read just the one you need.
