LVT vs Engineered Wood: A Straight Comparison

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and engineered wood are the two floors we get asked about most, and they often end up on the same shortlist. From a distance a good LVT can look a lot like oak, and both can be laid over most subfloors without too much drama. Up close and over the years, though, they behave very differently. Here is a straight comparison to help you decide which suits your home, without the sales talk.

What each floor actually is

Engineered wood is a real timber floor. Each board has a top layer of hardwood, usually oak, bonded to a stable core of plywood or softwood layers. That construction stops the board moving as much as solid timber, while the surface is genuine wood with all its grain, knots and colour variation.

LVT is a plastic product. It is a layered vinyl with a printed photographic image of wood (or stone) under a clear wear layer. Some versions are glued down flexible planks; others are rigid click boards with a stone-plastic or wood-plastic core. Quality varies enormously, from thin budget ranges to thick commercial-grade products with convincing embossed textures.

If you want to understand the timber side in more depth, our guide to engineered oak vs solid wood flooring covers how engineered boards are built and graded. For fitting either type, see our flooring service.

Looks, feel and comfort

This is where engineered wood earns its place. No two boards are the same, the surface has a natural texture, and it feels warm and slightly soft underfoot. It also ages in a way most people like, picking up a gentle patina rather than looking worn.

Better LVT ranges are genuinely convincing, especially in photographs, but the print repeats every few boards and the surface feels more like what it is. It can also sound a little hollow or clicky if the underlay is poor. In a period cottage or a Victorian terrace, of which Hampshire has plenty, real timber tends to sit more naturally with original doors, skirting and joinery.

Durability, water and everyday wear

LVT is hard to beat in wet or heavy-use areas. It is waterproof at the surface, shrugs off spills, and a decent wear layer resists scratches from pets and chairs well. That makes it a sensible choice for kitchens with young children, utility rooms, cloakrooms and bathrooms.

Engineered wood is tougher than many people expect, but it is still timber. Standing water left on it will damage the finish and can mark the boards, and it is not suitable for bathrooms. It will take dents from dropped pans and dog claws over time, though many people accept that as character. The key differences in everyday use are:

• Spills: LVT is waterproof; engineered wood needs wiping up promptly.
• Scratches: LVT resists light scratches; engineered wood marks but can be refinished.
• Damage repair: a damaged LVT plank must be replaced; engineered wood can often be sanded and re-oiled or re-lacquered.
• Underfloor heating: both work well if you choose a product rated for it and follow the temperature limits.

On that last point, our article on wood flooring over underfloor heating explains what to check before you commit.

Lifespan and long-term value

A good engineered board with a wear layer of 4mm or more can usually be sanded back and refinished a couple of times, so it can last for decades. When it looks tired you restore it rather than rip it out. That also tends to appeal to buyers, as real wood floors are widely seen as a quality feature.

LVT cannot be refinished. Once the wear layer is scratched through or the print is worn, the only option is replacement. A quality product in a normal home can still last many years, but it is a floor with a defined life.

Cost and installation

As a rough guide, and every job differs, mid-range LVT and mid-range engineered oak often cost similar amounts per square metre for materials. Budget LVT is cheaper than any engineered board, while premium engineered oak with a thick wear layer or a herringbone pattern costs considerably more.

Installation is where the real cost often sits, and it is the same story for both: the subfloor must be flat, dry and sound. Glue-down LVT is unforgiving and shows every bump, so floors often need levelling compound first. Engineered wood can be floated, glued or secret-nailed depending on the subfloor. Allow for proper preparation, new door thresholds, and trimming doors and skirting where needed, rather than just the price of the boards.

Which should you choose?

In our experience, LVT makes most sense for bathrooms, utility rooms, busy family kitchens and rentals where practicality comes first. Engineered wood is usually the better choice for living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms, and anywhere you want a floor that adds character and can be renewed. Plenty of homes use both, with LVT in the wet rooms and engineered oak through the rest of the house, joined with a neat threshold.

If you are weighing up options for a home in Hampshire, we are happy to look at your subfloor, talk through what will work in each room and give you an honest view. Take a look at our flooring service, then get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.