Engineered Hardwood vs. Solid Hardwood vs. LVP: Which is Best?

If you’re building a new house, renovating your current one, or just dreaming about your perfect forever home, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is what type of flooring to use. With so many great choices available, it can feel overwhelming to pick the right flooring for your style, lifestyle, and budget. Solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood vs. luxury vinyl plank (LVP)… what does it all mean? And how do you know which one is the best choice for your home?

Today, I’m breaking it all down in simple, straightforward terms. You’ll learn the key differences between these flooring types, how they perform in real life, and what to consider based on your lifestyle, budget, and goals. Plus, I’ve included a free Quick Reference Guide you can download to help with your decision!

Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid hardwood is exactly what it sounds like—each plank is a solid piece of real wood, like oak, maple, hickory, or walnut. The planks can be installed unfinished, and then stained to your liking, and sealed with a protective topcoat. Or, the planks can be pre-finished with a set color and factory-applied topcoat. This is the traditional hardwood flooring that has been used for generations in homes.

Pros of Solid Hardwood:

• Timeless look and natural beauty (hello, resale value!)
• Can be sanded and refinished many times
• Adds warmth and character to any space
• High resale value – potential buyers love real wood floors.

Cons of Solid Wood Flooring:

• Expensive per square foot (typically $8–$15+)
• Prone to water damage and warping—avoid in basements, bathrooms, or humid areas
• Requires professional installation and time to acclimate to your home before installing

Best for: Homeowners who want a timeless, high-end look in dry, above-grade areas like living rooms and bedrooms, and don’t mind the expense.

My Personal Experience: I’ve had solid hardwood floors in several homes, and they were a true classic. We’ve had red oak, white oak, and hickory floors, and all were very durable. I never needed to refinish them, but the ability to change their look is a huge selling point. We would have installed solid hardwood in our new home, but it was out of our budget to do the entire house. We did experience water damage that completely ruined our hardwood floors in one house, and we had to replace them. Unfortunately, there’s no fixing the floors after water damage due to warping and shrinkage.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood has a thin layer of real hardwood on top (called the wear layer) glued on top of a plywood core layer. It looks just like solid hardwood, and has better stability (more resistant to moisture and temperature changes).

This is the flooring we chose for the remodel of our new home in Colorado, based on budget and a few other key factors. You can click this link to learn more about why we chose engineered hardwood, and read all about the specific floors we chose. Also, be sure to check out my post on how to choose the best engineered hardwood flooring for your home.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood:

• Looks just like real wood—because it is!
• Handles moisture and temperature changes better than solid wood
• Can be installed over concrete or radiant heat
• More budget-friendly for whole-house flooring than solid hardwood

Cons of Engineered Hardwood:

• Wear layer thickness varies—you may only be able to refinish it once or twice
• Still vulnerable to water damage. It’s not waterproof, just more water resistant than solid wood.
• Cost varies based on quality (typically $4–$10 per square foot)

Best for: Anyone who wants the look of wood but needs more flexibility. Great for kitchens, basements, and high-traffic areas.

My Personal Experience: We chose engineered hardwood flooring for our new home in Colorado, and I absolutely love it! This is our second time using engineered hardwood in a home. There are tons of styles and looks to choose from, and engineered hardwood can be used in rooms where you wouldn’t want to put solid hardwood. As a designer, I always recommend going with solid hardwood if your budget allows.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

LVP is a synthetic flooring that mimics the look of hardwood using a high-quality printed image of wood. It’s built in layers: a top wear layer, a printed design layer (the picture of the wood), a rigid core layer, and sometimes a final layer for shock absorption. The rigid core layer is often made of stone plastic composite (SPC) or wood plastic composite (WPC).

Pros of LVP:

• Water-resistant or fully waterproof—perfect for bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements
• Budget-friendly (typically $2.50–$5 per square foot)
• Super durable—resists scratches, dents, and stains. Great for households with pets and kids
• Easy DIY installation

Cons of LVP:

• It’s not real wood (but it looks very close!)
• May not boost resale value as much as real hardwood. While it’s stylish and practical, some potential buyers prefer real wood.
• Can feel less warm or natural underfoot (doesn’t have the “give” of wood flooring)

Best for: Busy households, homes with kids and pets, budget-conscious remodelers, and moisture-prone areas.

My Personal Experience: I have not used LVP in my own home, but I don’t hesitate to recommend it as a beautiful flooring option for clients, especially for families with kids and pets. Share your experience with LVP in the comments below!

Answers to Common Questions

Which is better, solid hardwood, luxury vinyl plank or engineered hardwood? It really depends on your needs. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, and you can afford it, solid hardwood is best. If you want real wood but need something more stable and more affordable, engineered hardwood is a fantastic choice. If you need a low-maintenance, budget-friendly, water-resistant option, LVP is a great solution.

What are the disadvantages of luxury vinyl plank flooring? While LVP is a popular choice, it’s not real wood. It may not increase your home value like solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, and it can feel less natural underfoot. It can also be tough to repair if damaged by heavy furniture or sharp objects.

What are the cons of engineered wood flooring? The biggest downside is that it may only be refinished once or maybe twice. Also, some low-quality versions use thin veneers or less stable cores, so be sure to choose high-quality engineered hardwood with a thick wear layer (3 mm or more). Engineered hardwood is also still sensitive to water, though not as much as solid wood.

Is LVP used in high-end homes? Yes! Many interior designers use high-end LVP products in luxury homes, especially in kitchens and basements where real wood may not be practical. Today’s LVP looks so realistic that it’s hard to tell it’s not wood.

Flooring Feature Comparison

So, What’s the Right Flooring for You?

All three of these flooring options—solid wood flooring, engineered wood, and LVP flooring—are great choices, depending on your home’s needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s how to think about it:

• Want real wood, classic style, and long-term value? Go with solid hardwood.
• Love the wood look but need flexibility and moisture resistance? Try engineered hardwood.
• Need something budget-friendly, waterproof, and tough? LVP is a fantastic choice.

Still unsure? Grab our Quick Reference Guide by clicking on the image below and keep it handy while you shop!

Whether you’re renovating your forever home or updating a new house, your floors set the tone for your entire space. With this post, you can feel confident choosing the type of flooring that works best for your home and your lifestyle.

Got questions? Leave a comment—I’m always happy to help!