Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) has exploded in popularity over the past five years, and for good reason — it’s affordable, waterproof, and looks better than ever. But does it belong in your Los Angeles home, or is real hardwood still the smarter investment?
At Skyline Flooring, we install both LVP and hardwood across Sherman Oaks, Encino, Beverly Hills, and the greater LA area. We don’t push one over the other — we recommend what makes sense for your specific situation, budget, and goals. Here’s an honest comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) | Hardwood (Engineered) | Hardwood (Solid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (installed) | $5 – $10/sq ft | $7 – $16/sq ft | $8 – $16/sq ft |
| Waterproof | Yes — 100% | No | No |
| Durability | Good (wear layer dependent) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Lifespan | 15-25 years | 25-50+ years | 75-100+ years |
| Refinishable | No | Yes (2-3 times) | Yes (8-10 times) |
| Appearance | Good imitation | Real wood | Real wood |
| Resale value | Neutral | Adds 3-5% value | Adds 3-5% value |
| Pet-friendly | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Over concrete | Yes | Yes (engineered) | Not recommended |
| Radiant heat | Most brands OK | Most brands OK | Not recommended |
| Eco-friendly | No (PVC-based) | Yes (natural) | Yes (natural) |
Where LVP Wins
1. Waterproof Performance
LVP’s biggest advantage is waterproofing. It’s 100% waterproof — you can spill a gallon of water on it, leave it overnight, and it won’t damage the floor. This makes it ideal for:
- Kitchens — spills, splashes from the sink, and dishwasher leaks
- Bathrooms — water exposure is constant
- Laundry rooms — washing machine leaks are common
- Basements and converted garages — moisture from concrete slabs
Hardwood, even engineered, can be damaged by standing water. If you’re installing in a wet area, LVP is the practical choice.
2. Lower Upfront Cost
For budget-conscious projects, LVP delivers significant savings:
| Room Size | LVP (Mid-Range) | Engineered Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft room | $1,400 – $1,800 | $2,000 – $2,800 |
| 500 sq ft area | $3,500 – $4,500 | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft home | $7,000 – $9,000 | $10,000 – $14,000 |
For a 1,000 sq ft project, choosing LVP over engineered hardwood typically saves $3,000-$5,000.
3. Pet and Kid Durability
LVP’s wear layer resists scratches from pet nails better than most hardwood finishes. It won’t dent from dropped toys, and any liquid accidents clean up without concern. For active households with large dogs or young children, LVP’s durability in daily life is hard to beat.
4. Easier Installation
LVP clicks together in a floating installation that goes over almost any subfloor with minimal preparation. Most rooms can be completed in a single day. Hardwood installation — especially glue-down or nail-down — takes longer and requires more subfloor preparation.
Where Hardwood Wins
1. Real Value — Literally
Hardwood floors increase home value. According to the National Association of Realtors, hardwood floors can add 3-5% to a home’s sale price. In the LA market, where median home prices are well over $1 million, that’s a significant return.
LVP doesn’t add the same value. Most buyers can tell the difference, and real estate agents consistently report that hardwood is a selling point while LVP is simply “acceptable.”
For Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Beverly Hills homes: Real hardwood is practically expected by buyers in these markets. LVP in a $1.5M+ home can actually detract from perceived value.
2. Authenticity You Can Feel
No matter how good LVP has gotten, it’s not wood. The differences become apparent when you:
- Walk on it barefoot (LVP feels like plastic — because it is)
- Look at it in natural sunlight (LVP has repeating patterns; real wood is unique)
- Tap it with your knuckles (LVP sounds hollow)
- Run your hand across the surface (real wood has natural texture)
In open-concept living areas, entryways, and formal spaces where the floor is a design focal point, real hardwood makes a noticeable difference in how the room looks and feels.
3. Longevity and Refinishability
This is where the math gets interesting. LVP lasts 15-25 years and then goes to the landfill — it can’t be refinished. Engineered hardwood lasts 25-50+ years and can be refinished 2-3 times. Solid hardwood lasts 75-100+ years with 8-10 refinishes.
| Flooring Type | Initial Cost (1,000 sq ft) | Lifespan | 50-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVP (replaced 2x) | $8,000 × 3 = $24,000 | 15-20 years each | $24,000 |
| Engineered HW | $12,000 + $3,000 refinish | 40+ years | $15,000 |
| Solid HW | $14,000 + $6,000 refinishes | 75+ years | $20,000 |
Over 50 years, engineered hardwood is actually the most affordable option.
4. Environmental Impact
LVP is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a petroleum-based plastic. It cannot be recycled and takes hundreds of years to decompose. Some LVP products also off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially when new.
Hardwood is a natural, renewable resource. Responsibly sourced hardwood from FSC-certified forests is one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options available. At the end of its life, wood biodegrades or can be repurposed.
5. Climate Performance in LA
Interestingly, high-quality LVP can expand and contract with temperature — a problem in rooms with large windows and direct sun exposure (very common in LA homes). Some homeowners report LVP planks peaking or gapping in rooms that get hot afternoon sun.
Quality engineered hardwood is specifically designed to handle these temperature and humidity swings, especially when glued down.
The “Right Room” Approach
Many of our LA clients choose a combination — hardwood in living spaces and LVP in wet areas. This gives you the best of both worlds:
Hardwood Recommended
- Living rooms and family rooms
- Dining rooms
- Bedrooms
- Hallways and entries
- Home offices
LVP Recommended
- Bathrooms
- Laundry rooms
- Mudrooms
- Pool house or outdoor-adjacent rooms
- Rental properties
Either Works Well
- Kitchens (depends on your cooking habits and preference)
- Basements and converted garages
- Guest rooms
Choosing the Right LVP
If you decide on LVP, quality matters enormously. Not all LVP is the same:
What to Look For
- Wear layer: 20 mil minimum (residential), 28+ mil for high traffic
- Core: SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) — more rigid and dent-resistant than WPC
- Thickness: 5mm+ total for realistic feel underfoot
- Attached underlayment for sound reduction
- Low-VOC or FloorScore certified for indoor air quality
- Realistic embossing — look for “EIR” (Embossed in Register) where texture matches the printed grain
What to Avoid
- Thin products (under 4mm) — they feel cheap and telegraph subfloor imperfections
- WPC core for high-traffic areas — softer than SPC, dents more easily
- Products without brand reputation — cheap imported LVP may contain elevated phthalate or VOC levels
- Peel-and-stick LVP — not a professional-grade product
Choosing the Right Hardwood
For Los Angeles homes, our top recommendations are:
Best All-Around
Engineered White Oak, 4mm+ veneer, 7″ wide plank — handles LA’s climate, looks stunning in any style home, and lasts decades. This is what we install most often.
Best for Traditional Homes
Solid White Oak or Maple, 3.25″ strip — classic look for Craftsman, Mid-Century, and traditional homes with raised foundations.
Best for High Traffic
Engineered Hickory — the hardest domestic wood, resists scratches and dents, beautiful natural character.
Real Project Comparison
Here are two actual projects from our portfolio:
LVP Project — Rental Property in North Hollywood
- 900 sq ft, SPC luxury vinyl plank
- Old carpet removal included
- Completed in 2 days
- Total: $6,300 ($7/sq ft)
- Owner’s goal: durable, waterproof, tenant-proof flooring
Hardwood Project — Family Home in Sherman Oaks
- 1,100 sq ft engineered white oak, 7″ wide
- Old tile demolition and leveling included
- Completed in 5 days
- Total: $14,300 ($13/sq ft)
- Owner’s goal: add value, beautiful floors for 20+ years
Both projects achieved exactly what the homeowner wanted. The right choice depends on your priorities.
Our Honest Recommendation
After 20+ years of installing both products across Los Angeles:
Choose LVP if: You’re on a tight budget, installing in wet areas, have a rental property, or prioritize waterproof performance above all else.
Choose hardwood if: You want to add home value, care about authenticity and feel, plan to stay in your home long-term, or want floors that can be refinished instead of replaced.
Choose both if: You want the best of both worlds — hardwood in living spaces, LVP in bathrooms and laundry rooms. This is our most popular recommendation for LA homeowners.
Explore our services: Hardwood Flooring Installation | Floor Restoration And Repair | Floor Leveling Services | Floor Demolition And Replacement
Get Expert Advice for Your Home
Not sure which direction to go? We bring samples of both LVP and hardwood to your home so you can see them in your lighting, against your walls, and next to your furniture. There’s no pressure and no obligation.
Schedule a free in-home consultation or call (818) 300-2205. We serve Sherman Oaks, Encino, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Studio City, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, and 50+ cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
For more on hardwood options, see our guide to the best hardwood flooring for the Los Angeles climate. Ready for pricing? Check out how much hardwood floor installation costs in LA.