The question we get asked most on in-home visits isn't "which floor looks better" — in 2026, high-end LVP and real hardwood can look nearly identical in photos. The real question is which floor makes sense for the room, the subfloor, and how your household actually lives.
Moisture is the deciding factor
Solid hardwood and moisture don't mix well. Basements, below-grade rooms, and homes close to the bay or ocean — anywhere humidity swings are significant — are places we'll steer you toward engineered hardwood or waterproof LVP rather than solid wood, regardless of budget. It's not an upsell; it's what actually holds up.
Subfloor condition changes the math
An uneven or previously-tiled subfloor often needs less prep work for a floating LVP install than it does for nail-down hardwood. If your subfloor needs significant leveling, that cost should factor into your comparison between the two — sometimes LVP's lower material cost gets partly offset by the fact hardwood would have needed the same prep anyway.
Resale and longevity
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times over 50+ years, which is real long-term value if you're staying put. LVP doesn't refinish — when it wears out, it's replaced. For a forever home in a dry, above-grade space, that argues for hardwood. For a basement, rental unit, or a home you might sell in 5–10 years, LVP's durability-to-cost ratio is hard to beat.
Our honest take
We install both, and we don't have a reason to steer you toward the pricier option. On every free in-home measurement, we'll tell you plainly which floor makes sense for that specific room — and if the answer is different room to room, that's a completely normal outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hardwood or LVP better for a New Jersey home?
It depends on the room. Hardwood is the better long-term choice in a dry, above-grade space in a home you plan to keep, because it can be sanded and refinished multiple times over 50-plus years. LVP's durability-to-cost ratio is hard to beat in a basement, a rental unit or a home you might sell in 5 to 10 years.
Can you refinish luxury vinyl plank?
No. LVP does not refinish; when it wears out, it is replaced. Solid hardwood, by contrast, can be sanded and refinished multiple times over 50+ years, which is real long-term value if you are staying put. For a basement or a home you might sell in 5–10 years, LVP's durability-to-cost ratio is hard to beat.
Can I put hardwood in a basement?
We steer homeowners toward engineered hardwood or waterproof LVP rather than solid wood in basements, below-grade rooms and homes close to the bay or ocean, regardless of budget, because solid hardwood and moisture do not mix well. See our basement flooring guide.
Do hardwood and LVP look the same?
In 2026, high-end LVP and real hardwood can look nearly identical in photos, so that is not the deciding factor. The real question is which floor makes sense for the room, the subfloor, and how your household actually lives — and moisture is usually the decider.
Does the subfloor change which floor costs less?
It can. An uneven or previously tiled subfloor often needs less prep for a floating LVP install than for nail-down hardwood, so if your subfloor needs significant leveling, factor that into the comparison between the two.
How much do hardwood and LVP cost installed in NJ?
Installed hardwood runs $5.50 to $14 per square foot in our market, and installed LVP roughly $4 to $9. See our hardwood cost guide and LVP cost guide for what moves each number.
