Anyone regret going with LVP over solid hardwood in high-traffic areas?

[JimmyMechanic]

Redoing our front hallway and kitchen and going back and forth between LVP and solid hardwood. LVP is obviously more forgiving with water/pets/kids, but part of me still wants real wood for the feel and resale value.

For anyone who's lived with LVP for a few years now in a busy part of the house — any regrets? Does it actually hold up the way it's marketed, or did you notice wear/dents/discoloration sooner than expected? And for the hardwood people — was it worth the extra maintenance in a high-traffic spot, or did you end up babying it more than you wanted to?

[floorman]

I think the biggest thing is deciding what you value more: low maintenance or something you can actually renew 10–20 years from now.

I’ve seen good LVP hold up extremely well in busy kitchens and hallways, especially with kids and pets. The better products are a completely different animal from the cheap vinyl plank from years ago. That said, “waterproof” doesn’t mean indestructible. Heavy furniture, grit, dog nails, and dropped objects can still scratch or dent it, and once the wear layer is damaged, you generally can't refinish the plank—you replace it.

Solid hardwood is going to show wear too, but I actually consider that one of its advantages. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, and a quality hardwood floor can look better with age rather than simply looking worn out. You also don't necessarily have to baby it. A good finish and some felt pads under furniture go a long way.

For a front hallway/kitchen, personally, I'd lean hardwood if this is your long-term house and you're willing to accept some character and maintenance. If the priority is “I don't want to think about this floor,” I'd go with a high-quality LVP.

One other thing I'd consider: don't choose LVP solely because you're worried about resale value. Buyers can tell the difference between a nice real-wood floor and vinyl, but a dated or beat-up hardwood floor isn't necessarily a selling point either. A beautiful, well-maintained floor matters more than the material name on the box.