At Bisbee's Flooring McFarland, this is one of the most common questions we hear in our showroom: LVP or hardwood, which one is actually right for my home?
We wrote this guide because homeowners in Wisconsin deal with a unique mix of cold winters, humid summers, and busy households full of kids and pets, and that changes the answer.
Below, we break down the real differences between LVP vs hardwood flooring so you can shop with confidence. If you would rather talk it through in person, stop by our McFarland showroom or give us a call: 608-838-3000.
LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank. It is a resilient flooring option built in layers, usually a rigid or flexible core, a high resolution photographic layer that mimics real wood grain, and a clear protective wear layer on top.
That construction is what makes LVP flooring vs hardwood such a common comparison. LVP looks like wood from a few feet away, but it behaves very differently underfoot and in the presence of moisture.
In our showroom, you will find LVP collections from Mohawk, including their SolidTech and PureTech lines, along with MSI's vinyl plank collections and Mannington's Adura line. Each brand offers different wood-look styles, plank widths, and price points, so there is a lot of room to find something that fits your space.
If indoor air quality is a concern, look for LVP products with low VOC certifications. The U.S. EPA has more information on VOCs and indoor air quality if you want to read further before you shop.
Homeowners in McFarland, Madison, Monona, and Stoughton tend to like LVP because it is:
Hardwood flooring comes in two main types, and understanding the difference matters when you are weighing engineered hardwood flooring vs LVP.
Solid hardwood is one solid piece of wood from top to bottom, usually oak, maple, or hickory. It can be sanded and refinished many times over its life, which is why some solid hardwood floors last 50 years or longer with proper care.
Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer on top, bonded to layers of plywood or high density fiberboard underneath. This construction makes engineered hardwood more stable in fluctuating humidity, which is a real advantage in a Wisconsin home where indoor humidity swings between a dry winter and a muggy summer.
We carry engineered hardwood from Mohawk, including their TecWood collection, plus additional hardwood options and more brands available by special order. If you love the look of real wood but worry about Wisconsin's climate, engineered hardwood is usually the better starting point than solid hardwood.
Wisconsin's climate plays a bigger role in this decision than most homeowners expect. Here is how LVP versus hardwood actually compares once you factor in our local conditions.
Wisconsin homes go through real seasonal swings. Furnaces run dry in January, and window units or open windows bring humidity back in July. Solid hardwood expands and contracts with those changes, which can lead to small gaps in winter or slight cupping in summer if humidity is not managed.
LVP does not react to humidity the same way. The core stays dimensionally stable through Wisconsin's freeze and thaw cycles, which is one reason LVP has become so popular in basements, mudrooms, and lower level family rooms across Dane County.
Engineered hardwood sits in the middle. It handles humidity changes better than solid hardwood, though it still needs a controlled indoor environment to perform its best. The National Wood Flooring Association publishes detailed guidance on maintaining proper humidity levels for wood floors, and it is worth a look if you are leaning toward hardwood or engineered hardwood for your home.
This is where hardwood floors vs LVP really diverge. Hardwood, solid or engineered, is not designed for standing water. A dishwasher leak, a wet dog bed, or melting snow tracked in from the driveway can cause real damage if it is not wiped up quickly.
LVP is built to handle that reality. Most LVP products on the market today are 100 percent waterproof, which makes them a strong choice for:
Budget is usually the deciding factor once style and durability have been discussed. In general, LVP costs less than hardwood, both for materials and installation.
Engineered hardwood typically falls in the middle, and solid hardwood tends to be the most expensive option, especially in wider plank widths or premium species like white oak.
We will get into specific price ranges in the FAQ section below, since exact costs depend on the product line, square footage, and any subfloor prep your home needs. If a bigger project is outside your immediate budget, we also offer financing options so cost does not have to be the deciding factor.
LVP is fairly low maintenance. Regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping keep it looking good, and there is no need for refinishing, waxing, or special cleaning products.
Hardwood needs a bit more attention. You will want to use a hardwood-specific cleaner, avoid excess water, and plan on refinishing every 7 to 10 years depending on foot traffic. In our experience, homeowners who love the idea of hardwood but do not want the upkeep often end up happiest with engineered hardwood or a high quality LVP instead.
Real hardwood still holds a reputation advantage with buyers and appraisers in the Madison area, particularly in main living areas, dining rooms, and primary bedrooms. That said, high quality LVP has closed the gap significantly over the last several years, especially in kitchens, basements, and rental or investment properties where durability and water resistance matter more to buyers than the word "hardwood" on a listing.
Both categories offer a wide range of looks. LVP now comes in wide planks, embossed wood grain textures, and finishes that are genuinely hard to tell apart from real wood at a glance. Hardwood offers something LVP cannot fully replicate though, which is the natural variation and character that comes from an actual tree, along with the ability to stain or refinish it to a different color down the road.
Since these two get compared so often, it is worth a direct answer.
Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface, so it can be lightly sanded and refinished once or twice, and it has that authentic wood feel and sound underfoot. LVP has a printed surface layer, so it cannot be refinished, but it is more forgiving with moisture and generally costs less.
If having genuine wood matters to you and your space stays climate controlled, engineered hardwood is worth the investment. If water resistance, budget, or a busy household with pets is the priority, LVP is usually the smarter pick.
There is not one right answer for the whole house. Most of the homes we work with in McFarland, Middleton, Fitchburg, and Oregon end up using a mix of both.
Choose LVP for:
Choose hardwood or engineered hardwood for:
You do not have to pick just one. A lot of our customers choose engineered hardwood or solid hardwood for the main living areas, then use LVP in the kitchen, basement, and mudroom where moisture and foot traffic are a bigger concern.
It is also worth knowing that LVP and hardwood are not the only options in our showroom.
Some homeowners prefer the warmth of carpet underfoot in bedrooms, especially through a cold Wisconsin winter. Others lean toward tile for bathrooms, or laminate flooring as a budget-friendly, wood-look alternative in lower traffic areas. Feel free to ask us about any of these while you are comparing options.
If carpet is still in the running for you, we break it down further in our Carpet or Hardwood guide. Feel free to ask us about any of these while you are comparing options.
Bisbee's Flooring has been family owned and operated since 1978, and we have watched flooring trends change quite a bit over the last four and a half decades. What has not changed is our approach: no pressure sales, honest answers, and a showroom full of samples you can actually take home before you decide.
Here is what you can expect when you shop with our flooring services team:
We proudly serve homeowners throughout McFarland, Madison, Stoughton, Middleton, Fitchburg, Oregon, Monona, Door Creek, and the surrounding Dane County communities.
Whether you are set on hardwood, leaning toward LVP, or still deciding, our team can walk you through samples from Mohawk, Mannington, MSI, and more, and help you land on a floor that fits your home and your budget.
You can browse our full hardwood flooring options or explore our luxury vinyl plank selection online, then stop in to see and feel the samples in person. Our installation services team handles everything from subfloor prep to furniture moving, so the whole project stays simple on your end.
Looking for more local flooring tips beyond LVP and hardwood? Our blog covers carpet, tile, and other flooring topics for Dane County homeowners.
Pricing depends on the product line and your home's square footage, but as a general guide, LVP typically runs between $3 and $7 per square foot installed.
Engineered hardwood usually falls between $6 and $12 per square foot installed, and solid hardwood tends to run $8 to $14 per square foot installed, depending on species and plank width.
Bring us your room measurements and we can put together an accurate, no pressure quote.
For most pet owners, LVP is the more practical choice. It resists scratches from claws better than solid hardwood, and since it is fully waterproof, accidents and wet paws are not a concern.
Engineered hardwood with a durable finish can still work well for pet owners who prefer the look of real wood, especially in lower traffic rooms.
We go into more detail in our post on flooring for homes with pets, if you want to read further.
Yes, and this is one of the biggest changes in flooring over the past several years. Modern LVP uses high resolution imaging and embossed textures to mimic real wood grain, knots, and color variation.
From a few feet away, many LVP products are hard to distinguish from engineered hardwood.
In general, real hardwood in main living spaces still carries a slight edge with buyers and appraisers in the Madison area. However, high quality LVP in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms is increasingly seen as a smart, durable choice by buyers, so the impact on resale value is smaller than it used to be.
Good quality LVP typically lasts 15 to 25 years with normal use. Engineered hardwood generally lasts 20 to 30 years, and solid hardwood can last 50 years or more since it can be refinished multiple times. Proper installation and regular care make a big difference for both flooring types.
Shopping smart for flooring means getting honest, local guidance instead of guessing based on a photo online. As a locally owned and family operated flooring store, Bisbee's Flooring McFarland helps homeowners across McFarland, Madison, Stoughton, and the surrounding Dane County area find flooring that fits their lifestyle and their budget.
Why homeowners choose Bisbee's Flooring McFarland:
Call us at (608) 838-3000 or stop by our showroom at 5704 US-51, McFarland, WI 53558 to see and feel LVP and hardwood samples in person. Our team is ready to help you find the right floor for your home.
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
McFarland Showroom
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