Flooring guide
LVP vs Hardwood vs Tile: Choosing the Right Floor for Each Room
Luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, and tile each do one thing better than the others. This guide compares the three on water, comfort, durability, and upkeep, and shows which floor fits best in each room of a Georgia or Tennessee home.
- 10+ Years of Experience
- Fully Insured
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- Free In-Home Estimate
- 1-Year Warranty
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Quick comparison
How the Three Floors Compare
Each flooring type wins in a different area. Hardwood offers natural warmth and can be sanded and refinished, luxury vinyl plank stands up to water and busy households, and tile is the most water-resistant option of all. The table below compares the three on the points that matter most when choosing.
| Factor | Hardwood | Luxury vinyl plank | Tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Not for wet areas | Waterproof | Waterproof surface, with sealed grout |
| Feel underfoot | Warm and natural | Warm and slightly soft | Hard and cool |
| Wear | Shows scratches, can be refinished | Resists scratches, cannot be refinished | Very hard to scratch |
| Upkeep | Sweep and use a wood floor cleaner | Sweep and damp mop | Sweep, mop, and keep grout sealed |
| Best rooms | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms | Kitchens, basements, busy family areas | Bathrooms, laundry rooms, entries |
Hardwood
Hardwood: Best for Living Areas and Bedrooms
Solid and engineered hardwood bring natural warmth and add character to the main living spaces of a home. Hardwood is the only one of the three that can be sanded and refinished when it wears, but it does not like standing water, so it belongs in dry rooms rather than full bathrooms or basements.
Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a plywood core, which makes it more stable when temperature and humidity change.
Luxury vinyl plank
Luxury Vinyl Plank: Best for Kitchens, Basements, and Busy Homes
Luxury vinyl plank is a waterproof vinyl product with a printed wood look, a protective wear layer, and a softer feel underfoot than tile. It handles spills, pets, and kids well, which makes it a strong choice for kitchens, basements, and family rooms where water and heavy traffic are part of daily life.
Unlike laminate, which has a wood-fiber core and is not waterproof, luxury vinyl plank can go in rooms that see moisture. Over concrete, we test for moisture first and install the correct underlayment.
Tile
Tile: Best for Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, and Entries
Tile is the hardest and most water-resistant of the three floors, which is why it is the standard for bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms, and entries. It feels cooler and harder underfoot than wood or vinyl, and the grout lines need to stay sealed, but a well-installed tile floor can last for decades.
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Room by room
Which Floor Fits Each Room
Many homes end up with more than one type of flooring, chosen room by room. A common plan is hardwood in the living areas and bedrooms, luxury vinyl plank in the kitchen and basement, and tile in the bathrooms and laundry room, with clean transitions where the floors meet at doorways.
| Room | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Living and dining rooms | Hardwood, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank |
| Bedrooms | Hardwood, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl plank |
| Kitchen | Luxury vinyl plank, tile, or hardwood with care around the sink |
| Bathrooms | Tile or luxury vinyl plank |
| Basement | Luxury vinyl plank or tile, after a moisture test of the concrete |
| Laundry room and entries | Tile or luxury vinyl plank |
Free estimate
Get Help Choosing Your New Floors
During a free in-home estimate, our team measures the rooms, checks the subfloor, and helps you compare hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, laminate, and tile for the way you use each space. You receive a written, no-obligation proposal with the scope, the schedule, and the price. You can also call (470) 712-5294.
- 10+ Years of Experience
- Fully Insured
- Google Guaranteed
- Free In-Home Estimate
- 1-Year Warranty
- Credit Cards Accepted
FAQ
Questions About LVP, Hardwood, and Tile
These answers cover the questions homeowners ask most often when they compare luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, and tile for a new floor. If you are choosing between other materials or have a room with special conditions, call (470) 712-5294 or send the form, and our team will help you compare the options.
Is LVP better than hardwood?
Neither is better everywhere. Luxury vinyl plank is waterproof, resists scratches, and handles kids and pets well, so it often wins in kitchens and basements. Hardwood feels more natural, adds character, and can be sanded and refinished when it wears, which vinyl cannot. Many homes use hardwood in living areas and vinyl where water is a risk.
Can LVP go in a bathroom?
Yes. Luxury vinyl plank is waterproof, so it works on bathroom floors, especially in half baths and hall baths. Inside the shower itself, tile is still the standard. We make sure the subfloor is flat and sound before installing, because any bump or soft spot underneath will show through a vinyl floor.
Can I mix different floors in the same house?
Yes, and most homes do. Using hardwood in living areas, luxury vinyl plank in the kitchen or basement, and tile in bathrooms lets each room get the floor that suits it. We plan the transitions at doorways so the heights line up and the change from one floor to the next looks clean.