The best floor for a New Orleans home depends on two things more than any other: what is under it, slab or raised wood floor, and how much water it may see. Here is how the common choices compare.
LVP vs laminate: which is better?
For most New Orleans homes, vinyl plank (LVP) is the safer choice, because its core is waterproof and laminate's fiberboard core swells when water soaks in. Laminate has a harder top layer that resists scratches well and often costs a little less. In bedrooms and living rooms that never see water, either works; in kitchens, baths and slab homes that have flooded, pick vinyl plank.
Is engineered hardwood better than solid hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is better on a concrete slab and in damp conditions, and solid hardwood is better for a floor you want to sand many times over its life. Engineered boards have a wood top layer over a stable core, so they move less with humidity and can be glued or floated over concrete. Solid boards nail to a wood subfloor, which suits raised houses with a dry crawl space.
What is the best flooring for dogs?
Vinyl plank and porcelain tile are the best floors for dogs: both shrug off accidents and water bowls, and porcelain is very hard to scratch. Laminate resists claws well but not standing water. Hardwood will scratch under dog nails, though a matte finish and a lighter color hide wear better than high gloss.
What flooring is best with kids and toddlers?
With kids and toddlers, vinyl plank is the usual pick: it is waterproof, a little softer and warmer than tile underfoot, and quieter than laminate. Carpet in bedrooms gives a soft place to play. Tile is tough but hard on falls, so area rugs help in a tiled playroom.
What is the most waterproof flooring?
Porcelain tile is the most waterproof floor, followed by vinyl plank with a waterproof core. Both can be cleaned and kept after water comes in, as long as what is under them dries out. No floor stops flood water from getting into the slab, subfloor and walls, so waterproof describes the floor, not the whole room.
Is laminate really waterproof or only water resistant?
Most laminate is water resistant, not waterproof. Newer lines seal the edges and give you time to wipe up a spill, but water that sits for hours, or gets under the planks, can still swell the core. Read the product's own terms: some makers only cover spills cleaned up within a set time.
How long does LVP last compared to hardwood?
Solid hardwood can last for generations because it can be sanded and refinished again and again; plenty of New Orleans heart pine floors are still in use after more than a century. Vinyl plank lasts until its top wear layer wears through, and then the planks are replaced. A thicker wear layer lasts longer in busy rooms.
Does LVP look cheap to buyers?
Good vinyl plank does not look cheap to most buyers, but thin, shiny planks with a repeating pattern can. Look for planks with varied boards, a matte surface and a realistic edge. In a historic shotgun or cottage, buyers often expect real wood in the front rooms, so vinyl may fit best in kitchens and baths there.
What is the best flooring for kitchens and bathrooms?
Porcelain tile is the best all-round floor for kitchens and bathrooms here, with vinyl plank a close second. Both handle spills, mopping and damp air. Vinyl is warmer and softer underfoot and goes in faster; tile lasts longer and is the better pick for a shower area or a laundry room.
Can you put hardwood in a kitchen?
Yes, hardwood can go in a kitchen, and many older New Orleans homes have had wood kitchens for decades. The risks are leaks from the dishwasher, sink and ice maker, so wipe spills fast and fix leaks at once. A durable finish and a mat at the sink help. If you want zero worry about water, choose tile or vinyl plank instead.
Porcelain or ceramic tile?
Porcelain is denser, harder and absorbs less water than ceramic, so it is better for floors in wet rooms, enclosed porches and anywhere that might flood. Ceramic is easier to cut and often cheaper, and it is fine for walls and dry rooms. Both need a stiff, flat base to avoid cracks.
What is the most durable flooring?
Porcelain tile is the most durable floor for wear, scratches and water. Solid hardwood is durable in a different way: it scratches, but it can be sanded back to new many times. Vinyl plank and laminate hold up well for years but cannot be refinished when the surface wears out.
Want a price for your own rooms? We measure, check the slab or subfloor, and put the material, prep and price in a written quote. Call or text (504) 977-2662.