Hardwood floors vs laminate, vinyl or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

May 22, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Apr 4

Hardwood vs. Vinyl Flooring: What’s Best for Your Cleveland Home?

The preferred flooring in a home is almost always hardwood floors—but depending on your lifestyle and the space, other options can make sense.

At Pasquale Hardwood Flooring, we help homeowners throughout Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs decide what’s best for their home, not just what’s most popular.

Why Hardwood Floors Are So Popular in Cleveland Homes

Hardwood flooring continues to be the top choice—and for good reason.

1. They’re Renewable (Built to Last Generations)

Hardwood floors can be:

Sanded
Refinished
Recoated

This allows you to completely transform the look of your floors or bring them back to life after years of wear.

👉 We regularly restore 100+ year-old floors throughout the Cleveland area.

2. Durability + Comfort

Hardwood floors are:

Strong and long-lasting
Easier on your feet than tile or concrete
Ideal for everyday living

3. Completely Customizable

No two boards are the same.

You can control:

Color
Grain appearance
Sheen level

We often custom match floors to:

Kitchen cabinetry
Built-ins
Furniture pieces

4. Healthier Indoor Air Quality

Many Cleveland homeowners notice a big difference after removing carpet.

With hardwood:

No trapped dust or dander
No ongoing particle release
Cleaner, healthier environment

👉 Especially beneficial for families with allergies.

5. Easy Maintenance

Quick vacuum
Light cleaning with a microfiber or Swiffer-style mop
No wet mopping

6. Timeless Style That Evolves

Trends change—but hardwood adapts.

1980s: light / pickled floors
2000s: dark browns
Today: natural, matte finishes

👉 With a simple sanding, your floors can evolve with your style.

7. Adds Real Value to Your Home

Hardwood flooring is one of the few upgrades that consistently delivers ROI.

Can increase home value by ~5%
Highly desirable for buyers
Average ROI is 125%
Strong selling feature in the Cleveland market

When Vinyl, Laminate, or LVT Makes Sense

There are situations where alternative flooring is the better choice.

Best Areas for These Floors

Basements
Mudrooms
Kids’ playrooms
High-moisture environments

Benefits of LVT / Laminate / Vinyl

More resistant to moisture
Typically more scratch-resistant
More affordable upfront
Handles wet mopping better than real wood

The Downsides of Vinyl & Laminate Flooring

This is where many homeowners don’t get the full picture.

1. No Long-Term Value

Does not increase home value
Considered a temporary flooring solution

2. Not Renewable

Unlike hardwood:

Cannot be sanded
Cannot be refinished

👉 When it wears out, it gets thrown in a landfill—not restored.

3. Structural Feel

Many are installed as floating floors:

Can feel hollow
May have movement or bounce
Less solid underfoot compared to hardwood
Often complaints of board separation

4. Environmental & Material Concerns

Some products may contain:

PVC
Formaldehyde
Other synthetic compounds

(And yes—many homeowners still remember past concerns raised in national reports about imported laminate products.)

So… What’s the Right Choice?

It depends on:

The space
Your lifestyle
Your long-term goals

👉 In most living areas, hardwood is still the best long-term investment👉 In high-moisture or high-abuse areas, alternatives may make more sense

Work With a Cleveland Flooring Expert

At Pasquale Floors, we don’t push products—we help you make the right decision for your home.

Whether you're:

Refinishing existing floors
Installing new hardwood
Or considering alternative options

We’ll walk you through everything so you feel confident in your choice.

Get Expert Guidance for Your Home

If you're in Cleveland or the surrounding areas and trying to decide between hardwood and other flooring options:

👉 Give us a call or visit our website to get started

We’ll help you choose the right floor—and make sure it’s done the right way. 216.695.5660