Hardwood vs LVP vs tile: choosing flooring that lasts
Cost breakdown
| Job type | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|
| LVP install (per sq ft, mid-grade) | $4 | $9 |
| LVP install (per sq ft, premium) | $7 | $12 |
| Engineered hardwood install (per sq ft) | $8 | $14 |
| Solid hardwood install (per sq ft, oak) | $10 | $18 |
| Solid hardwood install (per sq ft, white oak / walnut) | $14 | $25 |
| Hardwood refinish (per sq ft, sand + finish) | $3 | $8 |
| Ceramic tile install (per sq ft) | $8 | $18 |
| Porcelain or stone tile install (per sq ft) | $12 | $25 |
| Subfloor leveling (per sq ft if needed) | $2 | $3 |
| Old-flooring removal (per sq ft) | $1 | $4 |
| Stair flooring (per stair, hardwood or LVP) | $100 | $200 |
10-year cost is the better question
Most homeowners compare flooring on per-square-foot price. The better question is 10-year cost: install cost + maintenance + likely-to-replace probability. Hardwood at $15/sq ft and LVP at $7/sq ft seem far apart, but if you're going to replace LVP at year 12 and hardwood lasts 50 years with one $3/sq ft refinish at year 25, the 30-year cost picture inverts. Hardwood: $15 + $3 refinish = $18/sq ft over 30 years. LVP: $7 × 2.5 replacement cycles = $17.50/sq ft over 30 years. Tile: $20 with a $0 maintenance budget = $20/sq ft over 30 years. They're all closer than the upfront sticker suggests.
Hardwood: when it wins
Hardwood (solid or engineered) wins in: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways, formal entries. Solid hardwood (3/4" pre-finished or site-finished) is fully refinishable 4-6 times over its life — 100+ year lifespan with care. Engineered hardwood (real wood veneer over plywood) is typically refinishable 1-2 times — 30-60 year lifespan. Where hardwood loses: bathrooms, basements, mudrooms, kitchens with frequent water exposure. The cost: $8-$25/sq ft installed depending on species (oak cheapest, walnut/hickory mid, white oak premium, exotic species highest).
LVP: when it wins
Luxury vinyl plank wins in: basements, kitchens, mudrooms, laundry rooms, rental properties, anywhere with moderate moisture. Modern LVP is genuinely waterproof (not just "water-resistant"), available in click-lock floating-floor format that DIY-installs in a day, and looks better in person than people expect. Lifespan: 15-25 years for premium products (Coretec, Mohawk RevWood, Shaw Floorté), 8-12 years for budget brands. Where LVP loses: it can't be refinished (when worn, it's replacement only) and very high-end home buyers may detect it as "not real wood" at resale. Cost: $4-$12/sq ft installed.
Tile: when it wins
Tile (porcelain, ceramic, or stone) is the only category that's fully waterproof when properly installed with the right grout and underlayment. Wins in: bathrooms (the only "right" answer in most cases), mudrooms, sunrooms, kitchens (especially in hot climates), and any area with potential standing water. Porcelain tile is harder than ceramic, less porous, and outdoor-rated. Lifespan: 50+ years for the tile itself; grout typically needs renewal every 8-15 years. Cost: $10-$30/sq ft installed; cuts harder for the installer than wood or LVP and adds 30-50% to labor cost.
Subfloor matters more than the surface
The single most-skipped step in flooring projects is subfloor inspection. Plywood or OSB subfloor in good condition (no soft spots, no water damage, no large gaps): proceed. Compromised subfloor: replace before flooring goes down. Pros routinely budget for "if needed" subfloor replacement at $2-$5/sq ft. Concrete slab needs moisture testing before any flooring goes down — concrete naturally releases moisture for years and improperly-installed flooring over wet slab fails within 2-3 years. Always ask: "Did you moisture-test the slab? What was the reading?" Anything over 3-4 lbs/1000 sq ft per 24h needs a moisture barrier or different flooring.
Common surprises and gotchas
Five things that drive flooring quotes higher: (1) old flooring removal — pulling glued-down vinyl or carpet over plywood is hours of labor; demolition often runs $2-$4/sq ft on top of install. (2) Subfloor leveling — homes with floor variation > 1/8" over 6 ft need self-leveling compound at $1.50-$3/sq ft. (3) Trim, transitions, and quarter-round — easily $400-$1,500 in materials + labor on top of "just the flooring." (4) Stair flooring — stairs are 2-3× the labor of flat floors per square foot. (5) Tile thinset and grout color upgrades — premium grout (epoxy or stain-resistant) adds $1-$2/sq ft. A reputable pro itemizes all of this in writing.
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Find a pro near you →Frequently asked questions
How long does flooring installation take? ▾
LVP (1,000 sq ft single-story): 2-3 days. Engineered hardwood (1,000 sq ft): 3-5 days. Solid hardwood with site finishing: 5-8 days (includes 24-48h dry time after finish). Tile (per room): 2-4 days including grout cure.
Can a handyman install flooring? ▾
LVP click-lock: yes, this is squarely handyman scope. Engineered hardwood with snap-lock: yes. Solid hardwood (nail-down): typically a flooring specialist. Tile: typically a tile specialist (the wet-saw, thinset, and grouting skills are not generic).
Should I refinish or replace my hardwood? ▾
Refinish if: floor is solid hardwood (not engineered with thin veneer); damage is surface-only (scratches, finish wear); 1-2 prior refinishes max. Replace if: significant water damage, multiple boards heaving, engineered floor with worn-through veneer.
Is LVP really waterproof? ▾
The plank itself is waterproof; the seams and edges are water-resistant for moderate exposure. Standing water for 24+ hours can still cause subfloor damage. Use LVP in moderate-moisture areas (kitchen, basement, bathroom) but treat actual water emergencies promptly.
Should I match flooring throughout my home? ▾
Open floor plans (living/dining/kitchen continuous): yes, single material. Distinct rooms with thresholds: not required — LVP in kitchen, hardwood in living, tile in bathroom is a fine combination if the colors coordinate.
Does flooring affect resale value? ▾
Yes, modestly. Hardwood is the most-preferred single material at resale ($1-$3/sq ft of buyer-perceived value). LVP is acceptable in most markets and dramatically outperforms carpet. Tile is appropriate for bathrooms and kitchens.
How long does each flooring type last? ▾
Solid hardwood: 50-100 years. Engineered hardwood: 30-60 years. Premium LVP: 15-25 years. Budget LVP: 8-12 years. Porcelain/ceramic tile: 50+ years (grout 8-15 years). Carpet: 5-15 years.
Should I install over existing tile? ▾
For LVP: yes, if tile is flat and grout lines are minor; some pros recommend a thin underlayment. For hardwood: typically no — height and transition issues make it impractical. Better to remove existing tile when changing flooring types.
Written by Frankie the Floor Pro — 21 years residential flooring, NWFA-certified hardwood installer, Nashville TN. Reviewed by In-house flooring review board. Last updated May 8, 2026.
Costs reflect 2026 national averages and may vary by region. See /trust for our methodology.