I'm trying to decide between refinishing the original hardwood floors in my house and going with luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Refurbishing the hardwood seems more budget-friendly, but I'm feeling a bit hesitant. My concerns include having pets around and not liking the current kitchen tile, plus the thought of a long sanding process (4-5 days) means we'd need to move out temporarily. On the flip side, LVP is tough, can be laid over the old hardwood and tile, and looks pretty close to actual wood. We installed high-end LVP upstairs a few years back and loved it. However, the cost of LVP is almost double that of refinishing. I've contemplated choosing a less expensive LVP style, but is it a bad idea to cover the original hardwood in a 35-year-old home that's 2000 square feet? I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice on this!
3 Answers
I'm all for refinishing! If the kitchen tile bugs you, deal with it separately. My hardwood is over a century old, and with a good poly finish, it should last another decade with kids and pets around. You won't regret keeping the original wood floor.
I'd go for refinishing too. While LVP is scratch-resistant, it can have issues down the line, especially with joints. If you refinish the hardwood with a solid commercial finish, it'll last longer. And honestly, covering up hardwood is a design mistake in my book!
Agreed! LVP works better in homes without hardwood. If you’ve got it, keep it!
I’d always suggest refinishing! Unless the original hardwood is completely worn down, you should keep it. Just because some people say LVP mimics wood doesn’t mean it truly matches the quality. Why settle for less?
Totally agree! Plus, it’s important to maintain the character of your home. Those old floors are part of its charm!