LVP Flooring
Is LVP Flooring Right for Your Home? An Honest Guide
May 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Waterproof, pet-proof, and budget-friendly — but not perfect. What luxury vinyl plank does well, and where hardwood or tile still wins.
Luxury vinyl plank has taken over Upstate homes for good reasons. It looks like wood, shrugs off water, and costs a fraction of hardwood. It isn't right for every room, though, so here's the honest version.
What LVP does well
This is where LVP genuinely outperforms the alternatives:
- Waterproof through the plank — kitchens, baths, laundry rooms
- Tough wear layer that handles dog nails and dropped toys
- Warmer and quieter underfoot than tile
- Installs over most flat, sound subfloors with minimal downtime
Where it falls short
LVP can't be refinished — when the wear layer goes, the plank gets replaced. It also needs a flat subfloor; dips and humps telegraph through and can cause clicking joints to separate. And while it looks convincing, it doesn't add the same resale premium as real hardwood in higher-end homes.
Prep is the whole job
Most LVP complaints trace back to installation, not the product. We check flatness and moisture first, level what needs leveling, and tell you honestly if the old flooring has to come up.
