Kitchens, baths and laundry.
Start with luxury vinyl with a waterproof core, or porcelain and ceramic tile.
FLOORING GUIDE
Luxury vinyl, laminate
or hardwood?
These three floors can look alike in photos, but they are made very differently, and that changes how they handle water, pets, wear and time. Here is an honest, plain English comparison to help you narrow down your choice before your in-home estimate. Then come and see all three side by side: we carry 50+ luxury flooring brands, and our own crew installs whichever one you choose.
Book your free in-home estimate- Since 2002Velmont Construction Group
- 24 YearsOf Southern California homes
- GuaranteedWorkmanship on every job
- 250+Coastal projects across Southern California
- 50+Luxury flooring brands
- Our own crewInstalls every floor, never subcontracted
- FreeIn-Home Estimates
- Custom3D Design
SIDE BY SIDE
How they
compare.
General product facts. Every product line is different, so we always check the specific product rating for your rooms.
| Feature | Luxury vinyl | Laminate | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Layered vinyl plank or tile with a printed design under a clear wear layer. Rigid core versions are very stable. | A detailed wood image over a dense fiberboard core, sealed under a hard, clear top layer. | Real wood. Solid boards, or engineered boards with a real wood top over a stable layered core. |
| Water | The best of the three. Many products have a waterproof core. Check the rating of the product you choose. | Water resistant options are available. Standing water at the seams can still damage the core. | The most sensitive to water. Wipe up spills quickly and avoid wet mopping. |
| Scratches and dents | Good, and better with a thicker wear layer. Very heavy furniture can dent softer products. | Very scratch resistant. A popular pick for homes with pets. | Softer than the other two, so it can scratch and dent, but it can be sanded and refinished. |
| Feel underfoot | Softer, warmer and quieter than most hard floors. | Firm and wood-like. A good underlayment helps with sound. | The natural, solid feel of real wood. |
| Refinishing | Cannot be refinished. Damaged planks can be replaced. | Cannot be refinished. Damaged planks can be replaced. | Solid hardwood can usually be refinished several times. Engineered depends on the top layer. |
| Typical cost | Varies by product. Usually less than hardwood. | Often the most budget friendly of the three. | Usually the highest of the three, with the longest life if cared for. |
| Best rooms | Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and whole home installs. | Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and homes with pets. | Living and dining rooms, bedrooms and open plan spaces. |
QUICK PICKS
A simple way
to start.
Dogs, cats and busy kids.
Look at laminate for scratch resistance, or luxury vinyl with a thick wear layer.
Real wood for the long run.
Choose hardwood. Engineered hardwood is often the better pick over a concrete slab.
A wood look on a budget.
Laminate usually gives you the most wood look for the money.
Already have wood floors?
Ask about sanding and refinishing before you replace them.
Bedrooms and comfort.
Carpet is the softest and quietest choice for bedrooms and family rooms.
AND THE OTHER TWO
Where tile and
carpet fit in.
Tile for wet rooms.
Porcelain and ceramic tile are the most water resistant and hard wearing floors of all. They are the classic choice for showers, bathrooms, laundry rooms and entries, and they come in convincing wood and stone looks. Tile
Carpet for comfort.
Carpet is the softest, warmest and quietest floor in the home. It is ideal for bedrooms, family rooms and stairs, and the right pad makes a big difference. Carpet
Mixing materials.
Many homes use more than one floor: luxury vinyl or tile in the kitchen and baths, wood or a wood look through the living spaces, carpet in the bedrooms. We plan the transitions so it all flows.
Already have wood?
Before replacing old hardwood, ask about sanding and refinishing. It is often less costly than a new floor.
GOOD TO KNOW
Common
questions.
Is waterproof flooring really waterproof?
A waterproof plank will not swell from water, but water can still get under the floor at edges and seams. A waterproof floor does not make the whole room waterproof, so leaks and floods still need attention.
What is a wear layer?
On luxury vinyl, the wear layer is the clear top coat that protects the design. Thicker wear layers generally stand up better to traffic, pets and furniture.
What is an AC rating?
AC ratings measure how well laminate resists wear. Higher ratings are built for heavier traffic. For most homes, a mid range rating or higher is a good starting point.
Solid or engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is one piece of wood and can usually be refinished more times. Engineered hardwood has a real wood top over a layered core, which makes it more stable with changes in humidity and better suited to concrete slabs.
Which floor is the most durable?
For water and wear, porcelain tile is the toughest. For scratches in a wood look, laminate is hard to beat. Luxury vinyl is the best all rounder for busy homes. Hardwood can dent and scratch, but it is the only one of the three that can be sanded and refinished.
Which floor works over a concrete slab?
Luxury vinyl, laminate, tile and engineered hardwood all work well over a properly prepared slab. Solid hardwood is usually not recommended directly over concrete. We check moisture and flatness at your estimate.
FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE
Ready to see it
in your own home?
Book a free in-home estimate. We look at your rooms, take measurements, talk through the right materials for each space and explain any preparation the floor needs. Our own crew does the install, and every job is backed by guaranteed workmanship. Prefer to talk first? Give us a call.