Real Hardwood vs. LVP

12/5/2017 at 10:06:08 PM

In my experience, the hardwood floor cost more per square foot and more in labor. But some specific LVP design could be even or higher per square foot.

For labor, cutting wood, require a saw which produce wood dust and should be done outside vs LVP could be cut right beside the work location with out useless walk around and dust.

The LVP flooring project should be roughly 1/3 of the cost of the hardwood flooring project.

That's a major cost difference when you're if you are about 1,300 square feet of flooring.

If the floor connect with tiles, a layer of plywood should be installed to create an even joint.

12/5/2017 at 11:42:04 PM

Hardwood usually costs more

Labour for both are close to the same but an average hardwood is usually 5 dollars or more. A high end vinyl plank is around dollar mark but you can get some cheap then that easily.

If anything the cost should be the same for a higher grade vinyl flooring.

12/6/2017 at 7:53:19 AM

Hi Lillian

Yes, I agree that some LVP is now the same if not a bit more then some hardwoods. ( Mainly because of durability, animal scratches etc. ) Unfortunately the problem now is that there are so many different types and designs on the market

and some are a little more TIME consuming to properly install

then others. ALL hardwood flooring is the same, a simple tongue and groove system that has unchanged in a 100 years. Some LVP flooring can only be installed in one direction and each piece must be lifted, twisted, and gently tapped into place. It's the labor cost you are paying for. There is some forgiveness with hardwood , there is not any with Most LVP.

Talk to your Contractor ( Face to face )

12/6/2017 at 10:17:15 AM

If the Vinyl Plank is designed as a loose lay then your gunna pay around the same price as a raw 2 1/4" oak for the product. The funny thing is most loose lay products people are reccomending you full spread glue because of the expansion and contraction that happens due to changes in temperature in your home and from direct sunlight in the summer time. Now that your full spread gluing, install costs go up as well as you are supposed to install a secondary layer of subfloor to glue to so if you have do do a repair you don't damage your original subfloors structural integrity. And since the cost of plywood has gone up due to forest fires that just another added expense. Go with a click vinyl and it should be cheaper, unless they were giving you an amazing deal on the sand and finish.

12/6/2017 at 10:57:40 AM

This is one of these things we call Project Change Orders and are followed up in your contract.

For example:

You have signed up for Hardwood flooring -- the contractor may have already placed an order and must cancel sometimes with penalty.

-PCA's usually mean diverted time and need to reassess the installation for the change as it may require the sub floor to be reskinned with a 1/8 inch product called Luan ( smooth pit free wood layer ). - also LVP requires glue to stay put and expand and contract with temperature changes.

Your contractor sounds as if he is being fair as $600 extra is not really that much BUT we don't know how much flooring.

For example I just paid $780 for glue for 1300 square feet of flooring and we used all but 2 liters.

Professionally speaking we think you and your contractor are on good terms and a face to face meeting will clear up your concerns.

Antonio Soda

Sodapop Construction Corp.

12/9/2017 at 9:29:22 AM

Tony From SodaPop sums it up best.

1/11/2018 at 9:14:52 AM

They have specified the wrong LVP for your project.

If you are glueing down a LVP over 3/4 plywood or OSB you are required to first install an underlayments of 1/4 good one side plywood or a smooth pro board or enstron type product.

This additional step take a lower cost LVP to become more expensive than wood that just gets stapled or nailed into the subfloor.

Explore loose lay LVP or floating click' LVP with a cork or neoprene backing. If you can find a click product that has a verticle ... straight up and down locking system so you can fix a board in future more quickly.