Engineered Hardwood vs. High End Vinyl Plank

[Arjun K.]

Situation overview: New rehab. Luxury-type, but not the highest high-end. High end would target $2500 rent. Median rents are ~$1,500. This one is at $2000. Pet heavy market and unit will go on market off-season (October or November). This is a long-term buy-and-hole rental (10+ years). Was planning on going laminate. However, it seemed than plank vinyl is "safer" than laminate and the new high-end plank vinyls look OK. But the price runs against going with actual engineered hardwood. I'm told vinyl may be better for me: long-term rental will hold up better. But I squirm at paying wood prices for a non-wood product!

[Karen Margrave]

We built my dream home over 10 years ago, consisting of 4600 sq. ft. main house and a guest house on 20 acres. When it was time to do my floors I considered engineered wood. However; the Shaw representative came over and looked, and said high end vinyl planks would work best for us. For one reason, there was a long run on the hall (the vinyl is in kitchen, foyer, and halls, with carpet in living areas that way if I need to change out carpet, I don't have to do ALL the carpet, just the one area) I had Freestyle motocross riders in the family, that practiced out back. I explained that sometimes they'd forget to take off their boots, and whatever I bought had to look great, but stand up to wear and tear. I went with vinyl. Looks good to this day. We ended up moving to a new city, but still own the house. My first renters were 14 college aged girls. Now there's 10 renters in the main house. Floors still look good!