If you’ve started planning a home renovation, you’ve probably found yourself asking one of the most common flooring questions:

Should I install hardwood flooring or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)?

It’s a debate we hear almost every week.

Hardwood has long been considered the gold standard for flooring, while Luxury Vinyl Plank has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing flooring products in America.

So which one is actually better?

The answer depends on your home, your lifestyle, your budget, and your long-term goals.

At None Of Your Flippin’ Business, we’ve installed thousands of square feet of flooring throughout Minnesota homes. While we appreciate the beauty of real hardwood, you’ll notice that many of our renovations feature premium Luxury Vinyl Plank—and there’s a good reason for that.

Our goal isn’t to follow trends. It’s to choose flooring that performs well, complements the home’s design, and provides lasting value for the next homeowner.

Let’s compare both options.

Why Flooring Is One of the Most Important Decisions You’ll Make

Flooring influences nearly every room in your home.

It affects:
• First impressions
• Comfort

Durability
Cleaning

Maintenance
Home value

Interior design

Resale appeal

Replacing outdated flooring is often one of the fastest ways to modernize a home without changing its layout.

Because flooring covers so much square footage, it also plays a major role in creating a cohesive design throughout the home.

Minnesota’s Climate Changes Everything

Living in Minnesota means your floors need to stand up to conditions that homeowners in many other states never experience.

Every winter brings:
• Snow
• Salt
• Wet boots
• Mud
• Ice melt
• Temperature swings

During summer, humidity levels increase, causing natural materials to expand and contract.

These conditions should absolutely influence your flooring choice.

From Our Renovation Team

One of the reasons we install premium Luxury Vinyl Plank in many of our renovations is because we know how Minnesota homes are actually lived in. Families come inside with wet boots, dogs track in mud, kids spill drinks, and everyday life happens. We choose flooring that looks beautiful while standing up to real life—not just showroom conditions.

What Is Luxury Vinyl Plank?

Luxury Vinyl Plank, commonly called LVP, is a waterproof flooring product designed to replicate the appearance of hardwood while providing significantly greater durability and moisture resistance.

Modern LVP has come a long way.

Premium products now feature:
• Realistic wood grain
• Textured finishes
• Wide plank designs
• Durable wear layers
• Waterproof cores
• Attached underlayment

Many homeowners are surprised by how closely premium LVP resembles real hardwood.

Why We Often Choose Premium LVP

Throughout many of our renovations, we install premium LVP because it aligns with our renovation philosophy:

Timeless. Durable. Low Maintenance.

Benefits include:
• Waterproof construction
• Scratch resistance
• Pet friendly
• Kid friendly
• Comfortable underfoot
• Easy cleaning
• Lower maintenance
• Excellent value

We frequently pair warm oak-tone LVP with:
• White shaker cabinets
• Quartz countertops
• Sherwin-Williams Alabaster cabinetry
• Accessible Beige walls
• Matte black hardware

This combination creates bright, inviting spaces that buyers consistently respond to.

The Beauty of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring remains one of the most beautiful materials available.

Nothing completely duplicates the warmth and natural character of genuine wood.

Advantages include:
• Timeless appearance
• Natural variation
• Can be refinished
• Long lifespan
• Premium feel

For homeowners planning to stay in a home for decades, hardwood remains an outstanding option.

Comparing LVP and Hardwood

Durability
Winner: Luxury Vinyl Plank
LVP resists scratches, moisture, dents, and everyday wear better than most hardwood species.

Appearance
Winner: Hardwood (Slight Edge)
Natural wood has unmatched character.

However, today’s premium LVP products have narrowed the gap considerably.

Water Resistance
Winner: Luxury Vinyl Plank
One spilled dishwasher.

One overflowing refrigerator.

One wet dog.

These situations rarely concern LVP.

Hardwood is far more vulnerable to moisture damage.

Maintenance
Winner: Luxury Vinyl Plank
Routine sweeping and damp mopping are typically all that’s required.

Hardwood demands greater care and may eventually require refinishing.

Cost
Premium LVP generally costs less to install than hardwood, making it an excellent value for many renovation projects.

The Flooring We Use Most Often

People frequently ask us:

“If this were your own home, what would you install?”

For many families…

Our answer is premium Luxury Vinyl Plank.

Not because hardwood isn’t beautiful.

Because LVP better matches how most families actually live.

Designer Tip
Choose warm wood tones instead of gray flooring.

Warm natural oak colors pair beautifully with:
• White cabinetry
• Quartz countertops
• Black fixtures
• Stainless appliances

They’re also much more likely to remain in style over the next decade.

Common Flooring Mistakes

Avoid these common renovation mistakes:
• Choosing flooring based only on price
• Mixing too many flooring types
• Installing glossy finishes
• Selecting cool gray flooring with warm cabinets
• Ignoring moisture-prone areas
• Using low-quality underlayment

Good flooring should improve both appearance and everyday functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Luxury Vinyl Plank waterproof?
Most premium LVP products are fully waterproof, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and basements.

Does LVP reduce home value?
Not at all. High-quality Luxury Vinyl Plank is widely accepted by today’s buyers and has become one of the most popular flooring choices for renovated homes.

Is hardwood still worth it?
Absolutely. Hardwood remains an excellent investment, particularly for homeowners planning to stay long term and who appreciate the beauty of natural wood.

What flooring do you use most often?
At None Of Your Flippin’ Business, we frequently install premium Luxury Vinyl Plank because it provides the right balance of appearance, durability, maintenance, and value for many Minnesota homes.

Final Thoughts

Choosing new flooring is about more than selecting a color—it affects how your home feels every day. While hardwood offers timeless beauty, Luxury Vinyl Plank has become one of the most practical and versatile flooring options available today.

At None Of Your Flippin’ Business, we focus on flooring that complements timeless kitchens, performs well in Minnesota’s climate, and creates homes that buyers are excited to own. By pairing premium LVP with white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, Sherwin-Williams paint colors, and quality craftsmanship, we create spaces that are both beautiful and built to last.

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