Vinyl, Engineered Wood or Solid Hardwood: Which Flooring to Choose?

Food for thought.

Whenever you visit friends or family, you might’ve noticed that they usually use vinyl or tiles for flooring – unsurprising considering that they’re the de facto options these days.

While there are plenty of good reasons to go for either of those in your home, did you know that there are other options like engineered wood and solid hardwood flooring to consider too?

Here, we compare three types of flooring – vinyl, engineered wood and solid hardwood – to give you an idea of what you could have underfoot, and their pros and cons.

First: what is vinyl/engineered wood/solid hardwood flooring?

Vinyl flooring is an affordable option typically available as vinyl planks and tiles, made mainly of PVC.

As for solid hardwood, as the name implies, each board is made from a solid piece of wood, and is as natural as it gets.

Engineered wood, on the other hand, refers to a composite material that comprises a top layer of hardwood, coupled with a core that’s typically made of plywood.

By extension, engineered veneers are a subset of engineered wood, comprising a top layer of hardwood that’s thinner, with a core made of stone plastic composite and integrated rubber underlay in place of plywood.

As such, engineered wood is often the top choice for those who love the look and feel of solid hardwood, but are on a tighter budget.

1. Price and installation

So, how much would it cost to install these different types of flooring in your home, and how are they installed?

We asked Wood Culture, a subsidiary of Hafary Holdings Limited. The local brand has been in the scene for over a decade, specialising in flooring like vinyl, engineered wood and solid hardwood, and outdoor decking.

Here’s what they shared.

Estimated price ranges for different flooring types (psf) and installation process

*Turnaround times are general estimates and may vary based on specific project requirements, contractor availability, site conditions and other factors.

All these flooring types can be overlaid on existing surfaces – given that they’re smooth, level and stable.

Assuming there’s damage to a small section, these can often be replaced without replacing the entire flooring.

2. Durability

Unlike applying a fresh coat of paint, flooring isn’t something you should have to replace frequently.

Here’s how long the different types of flooring are expected to last, with proper maintenance:

• Vinyl flooring: 20 years and up
• Engineered veneer: 20 years and up
• Engineered wood: 25 years and up
• Solid hardwood: 30 years and up

Solid hardwood, given its sturdy natural makeup, lasts the longest.

3. Maintenance

With how time-strapped we all are, maintenance is something always at the top of our minds. Here’s how much TLC the different flooring types need:

Vinyl:

• Low-maintenance due to scratch- and moisture-resistant properties – good for families and pet owners
• One such option is Pergo’s Classic Plank, a series with extra wear-resistant vinyl planks that Wood Culture offers

Engineered wood:

• Typically more resistant to scratches, dirt and abrasions than solid hardwood if prefinished with a multi-layer UV lacquer coating (a surface protection) from the factory
• More stable than solid hardwood as it is less likely to expand/contract with changes in humidity/temperature

Solid hardwood:

• Requires proper upkeep; may need to undergo sanding and refinishing every 3-6 years due to its susceptibility to scratches and wear and tear
• Expands/contracts in response to changes in humidity/temperature

4. Design choices

You can pick from a variety of design choices for the three types of flooring.

Just take a look at Wood Culture’s selections: for vinyl planks/tiles alone, they’ve got over 100 different choices with effects like wood, stone and terrazzo, and patterns like herringbone.

If you want a tiled look in your home – but without actual ceramic tiles because they feel hard/colder underfoot – you can look out for vinyl tile designs.

As for engineered wood, you’ll find a variety, even in patterns such as herringbone, chevron and parquetry.

The wood layers are sourced sustainably from around the world, with species including oak, walnut, maple, ash and iroko. Each piece of wood flooring is unique, with distinct grain patterns, knots and markings.

Besides the variety of stained colours you can choose from, you can even create a customised tone of your own.

As for hardwood flooring, there’s no beating their natural elegance and luxurious quality. Each piece is literally one-of-a-kind, after all.

For those of you who simply love the look and don’t mind committing to the upkeep of this natural flooring, Wood Culture has an elegant range to choose from.

5. Feeling underfoot

Wondering how the different floor types feel underfoot? Here’s what you can expect.

• Vinyl: typically feels soft and resilient underfoot; provides comfort without the cold sensation often associated with bare floors
• Engineered wood and engineered veneer: offer the natural feel of hardwood flooring. Engineered veneer‘s integrated underlayment provides additional cushioning and reduces hollow noise despite being a floating system floor
• Solid hardwood: provides a solid and stable feeling; may feel warmer than vinyl

One thing to note: because of its layered construction, engineered wood may feel a little softer than solid hardwood.

Solid hardwood provides an authentic tactile experience, and always has a smooth finish texture.

Other flooring considerations

The wear layer of vinyl protects floors from damage, particularly in busy areas like the living room, making it the most resilient flooring option for high-traffic areas.

Engineered wood and solid hardwood are protected by the surface coating. The difference lies in that:

• Engineered wood’s durability is limited by the thickness of its top layer – the number of times you can refinish it is limited
• Solid hardwood’s durability varies by wood species since the wear resistance also comes from the wood itself

Maple and white oak – part of Wood Culture’s solid hardwood offerings – are two species known to be more durable.

In terms of anti-slip properties:

• Vinyl flooring is designed for slip resistance, reducing the risk of falls, especially in wet areas like the kitchen
• Engineered wood offers more traction than solid hardwood, but can still be slippery

For both, applying an anti-slip treatment helps with improving the grip.

A handy summary

Pros and cons of different flooring types

Flooring that matches your needs and complements your home’s aesthetic

At the end of the day, nothing beats actually checking out all these flooring types in person to get a better understanding and to feel them for yourself before deciding on one.

You can do just that at Wood Culture’s brand new showroom in Changi (11 Changi North Way), or their existing one at Eunos (105 Eunos Avenue 3)!

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