LVP, Engineered Hardwood, or Refinished Oak: Which Is Best for Busy Families?
When you’re juggling the demands of family life in the Arlington Heights area, choosing the right flooring becomes far more than a design decision. It’s a practical one. At A Plus Decorating Inc., your trusted Arlington Heights painting experts and home improvement partner, we know how a busy household affects your floors. Whether it’s kids’ shoes, pets, backpacks, or spilled juice, durability, maintenance, and longevity have to count. Here’s our breakdown of three popular flooring options: luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered hardwood, and refinished oak, and which might be best for a family on the go.
1. LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank)
LVP is a synthetic flooring material that mimics the look of wood but is made with PVC and other layers. It’s extremely durable and especially suited to high-traffic, moisture-prone areas. LVP holds up well against kids, pets, and spills because it resists water and scratching better than most wood options. For a family home where the floor gets constant use, LVP offers:
- Outstanding water resistance, with many products nearly waterproof
- Low maintenance that only requires sweeping and damp-mopping
- A more affordable upfront cost compared with real wood
Because of all that, LVP is ideal in mudrooms, kitchens, playrooms, or homes where durability matters most.
2. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood provides the authentic look and feel of real wood, complete with the warmth and natural grain that many homeowners love. It’s built with a real wood veneer on top of a sturdy core, which gives better stability than solid hardwood. Here’s what engineered hardwood offers a busy family:
- Authentic wood appearance that adds warmth and resale value
- Better adaptability to different rooms and climates than solid hardwood
- A wide range of finishes and color options
On the flip side, it’s more sensitive to water and heavy wear. Although it can often be refinished depending on veneer thickness, it won’t always hold up to the constant movement of kids or pets as well as LVP.
3. Refinished Oak (Solid Hardwood)
Refinished oak typically refers to a solid hardwood floor, often oak, that has been sanded and refinished to restore or change its appearance. It’s the classic choice in many homes and for good reason. The look is timeless, the value is high, and the style is unmatched. However, for busy families, there are some trade-offs:
- Higher initial cost for materials and installation
- Greater susceptibility to moisture, warping, and damage in high-traffic areas
- More frequent maintenance and refinishing are needed under heavy use
So Which Is Best for a Busy Family Home?
At A Plus Decorating Inc., we recommend starting by considering your lifestyle. Where will the flooring be installed, such as the kitchen, hallway, or playroom? How active is your household with pets, kids, or daily activity? How long do you plan to stay in your home, and is resale value important? Based on those factors, here’s what to keep in mind:
- If your priority is durability, minimal upkeep, and water resistance, choose LVP.
- If you want the warmth and character of real wood with moderate maintenance, consider engineered hardwood.
- If you love the classic look and lasting charm of solid oak hardwood and don’t mind maintenance, refinished oak may be perfect for you.
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each option brings something unique to your home and lifestyle.
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