I have had good luck with the Home Depot Lifeproof LVP flooring (in dusk Cherry) in a bunch of renovation projects over the last few years but wanted a higher end feel for this beach house renovation so I went with Home Depot Wide Plank Engineered Hardwood. The color of Engineered Hardwoods we used in this beach home is Marshalls. I compared it to lots of samples and loved the natural tone and subtle knotting.
The wide plank flooring was very easy to lay and feels great underfoot! When reading reviews I noticed it was both DIY and contractor friendly which helped in deciding. The Marshalls color really brightened the space which was one of our main goals! Here are a few before and after photos.
If you are new to LVP and Engineered Hardwood and still deciding between the two I will break out the differences below to help you decide what might be a good fit for you and your home or investment property. We have redone flooring in our Connecticut home as well as our Florida home (among others) and I have linked blog posts that you might find helpful on those.
Choosing between luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and engineered hardwood depends on your budget, aesthetics, durability, and installation preferences. Here are some key points to consider for each:
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP):
Cost: LVP is generally more budget-friendly than engineered hardwood.
Water Resistance: LVP is highly water-resistant, making it suitable for areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Durability: LVP is durable and mostly resistant to scratches, stains, and wear. It’s a good choice for high-traffic areas.
Installation: LVP is often easier to install, especially with click-lock or glue-down options. It can be a DIY-friendly choice.
Comfort: I find there to be variation between products, some can feel plasticy under foot.
Engineered Hardwood:
Aesthetics: Engineered hardwood offers a natural and authentic wood look. It may be preferred if you want the warmth and character of real wood.
Resale Value: Hardwood floors are often considered an attractive feature in real estate, potentially adding to the resale value of a home.
Refinishing: Engineered hardwood can be sanded and refinished a limited number of times, depending on the thickness of the top veneer.
In summary, if budget and water resistance are top priorities, LVP might be the better choice. If you value the natural look of wood, are willing to invest more, and have a stable environment (not prone to excessive moisture), engineered hardwood may be the preferred option.
For our project, changing out the floors made the home more attractive to renters and will increase the resale price if these clients decide to sell. Our real estate team at Stay on 30A just hired a full time designer to help us extend more design services to Stayon30A clients.
I am really happy with the choice to use the Home Depot Marshalls French Oak Engineered Hardwood Flooring. Let me know if you have any questions and if you’re interested in projects like this you can follow along over on instagram here!
