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Alberta

Nufloors Camrose

#3 3810 48th Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 3Z8

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Nufloors Fort McMurray

8202 Fraser Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1W8

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Nufloors Grande Prairie

#101, 13501-100 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H4

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Nufloors La Crete

10201 99th Street, La Crête, AB T0H 2H0, Canada

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Nufloors Medicine Hat

502 D Maple Avenue SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3A8

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Nufloors Red Deer

7711 50th Avenue, Red Deer, AB, Canada

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Nufloors Sherwood Park

192 2181 Premier Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2V1

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Nufloors Slave Lake

204 4 Avenue Northeast, Slave Lake, AB, Canada

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British Columbia

Nufloors Castlegar

4370 Minto Road Castlegar, BC V1N 4B3

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Nufloors Comox Valley

2920-A Moray Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 7S7

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Nufloors Creston

1518 Northwest Blvd. Creston, BC V0B 1G6

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Nufloors Fernie

391 1 Avenue Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

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Nufloors Kamloops

834 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P3

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Nufloors Kelowna

1-2121 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1

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Nufloors Langley

304 20771 Langley By Pass Langley, BC V3A 5E8

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Nufloors Penticton

101 1397 Fairview Road Penticton, BC V2A 6A1

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Nufloors Quesnel

162 Front Street Quesnel, BC V2J 2K1

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Nufloors Salmon Arm

775 Lakeshore Drive S.W. Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1E4

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Nufloors Terrace

4730 Keith Avenue Terrace, BC V8G 4K1

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Nufloors Vernon

102 4708 34th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5Y9

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Nufloors West Kelowna

4-1726 Byland Road,West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 1A9

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Ontario

Nufloors Quinte

415 Maitland Drive #2 Belleville, ON K8N 0N4

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Nufloors Simcoe

41 Park Road Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9

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Saskatchewan

Nufloors Saskatoon

402 48 Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T9

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A Comparison Between Hardwood & Luxury Vinyl

By , On , In Hardwood Flooring, Luxury Vinyl

Thanks to recent developments in manufacturing and printing technology, hardwood isn’t the only option on the market if you want the look of hardwood in your home. Luxury vinyl is now a popular alternative to hardwood. Designed to mimic the look of real wood, it has come a long way in recent years. Now it can be hard to tell the difference between real hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl.

There are beneficial aspects of luxury vinyl flooring that natural hardwood floors do not provide. There are also characteristics of hardwood that no manufacturer can fully duplicate. To help you understand the differences and decide which product is best suited for your home, we are comparing the two on our blog today.

Durability & Life Cycle

Hardwood

Hardwood floors can last for generations if properly maintained and cared for. The type of wood species determines how durable your flooring is. Some species are extremely hard and will resist more damage than others. There are also different treatments can be used to reinforce the strength of hardwood floors. The amazing thing about hardwood is that if it does happen to get damaged, it can be repaired or refinished and made to look like new again.

Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl has an invisible “wear layer” that protects the surface of the vinyl. The thickness of the wear layer determines the durability of the floors. Manufacturers typically warranty luxury vinyl flooring for 10-20 years.

Moisture & Water Damage

Luxury Vinyl Napa Barrel Flooring in Kitchen
Source: Luxury Vinyl by Mannington

Hardwood

Wood floors are very susceptible to moisture whether it is humidity or liquid. Wood is a naturally absorbent material and will soak up liquids that it comes into contact with. If that liquid is coloured it can leave a permanent stain. Water itself can cause mildew, mold or other microorganisms to grow in your hardwood. However, regularly sealing your floor will help stop moisture from penetrating the your floors. However, it will not completely guard your floors from floods, common spills or high levels of humidity. For this reason, hardwood is not suitable for below grade installations, bathrooms and mudrooms.

Luxury Vinyl

Made from synthetic material this product is waterproof and will not be damaged from moisture or humidity. This makes it perfect for below grade installations and bathrooms.

Versatility

Hardwood Flooring in entry by Shaw Floors
Source: Hardwood by Shaw Floors

Hardwood

Not all wood is alike. The species of the wood, the grade, cut, colour and finish treatment all determine what your floor will look like. Considering these factors and the different types of wood available, there can be substantial differences in price when you are shopping for hardwood.

Luxury Vinyl

As mentioned, printing technology has advanced so much that the look of virtually any type of flooring or wood species can be replicated. Luxury vinyl also offers the option of being installed with padding underneath. This gives the look and beauty of hardwood with added comfort. It also acts as an insulator, making your home more energy efficient.

Costs

Luxury Vinyl by Beaulieu Canada in a Bedroom.
Source: Luxury Vinyl by Beaulieu Canada

Hardwood

The cost of hardwood all comes down to the species of wood chosen. The less expensive options will be less durable and generally less desirable. Hardwood floors typically start at $6 per square foot and can cost as much $25 per square foot, plus installation.

Luxury Vinyl

For a decent quality product you are looking to pay between $2 to $5 per square foot. Market demand sets prices to an extent. However, there is not as large of a gap between lower and higher end products like there is with hardwood. Textures, prints and some designs can raise the cost of luxury vinyl flooring.

Environmental Factors

Dark wood floor in a modern, minimalist apartment.
Source: Hardwood by West Coast Collection

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are a made of a 100% natural material— trees. Although, trees are a naturally renewable resource, do some research to make sure you are buying from an environmentally responsible manufacturer. Not only will hardwood last for generations if properly cared for and maintained, it can also be recycled. It is biodegradable and it will break down at the end of its life cycle.

Luxury Vinyl

Unfortunately, luxury vinyl is a synthetic material and it’s manufactured from petroleum— a non-renewable resource. The process of manufacturing luxury vinyl requires a considerable amount of energy and it also produces toxic byproducts

The Right Flooring For Your Home

Whether you’ve decided you want hardwood or luxury vinyl floors, Nufloors has a huge selection for you to choose from. To see your options, stop by the showroom at the Nufloors location nearest you and speak to a flooring expert.

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