5 Reasons Why LVP Is the Perfect Flooring for a Beach House (And Why I’m Glad We Have It)
While I’ve always favored hardwood floors, my experience living with LVP has convinced me that it’s the ideal choice for a beach house.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction: Hardwood vs. LVP flooring for a beach house
- What is LVP flooring?
- Factors for choosing the best flooring for a beach house
- 5 Benefits of Using LVP Flooring for a Beach House
- Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Flooring Chart
- Save These Thoughts About Why LVP is the Best Flooring for a Beach House
If you’re debating between the classic charm of hardwood flooring and the practicality of luxury vinyl plank (LVP), this breakdown is for you. While hardwood has long been a popular choice for its timeless appeal, the luxury vinyl plank flooring in my beach house was already in place when we bought it. At first I felt unsure about it, but living with it has shown me why it’s the ideal choice for coastal living. Here, I’ll share the reasons why LVP has turned out to be a smart option for a beach house, from its durability and water resistance to its low maintenance requirements. Plus, it mimics the look of hardwood without the downsides, making it a practical and stylish fit for a relaxed beach lifestyle.
What is LVP flooring?
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is a type of synthetic flooring designed to replicate the look and feel of hardwood floors. It comes in long, narrow planks that mimic the dimensions and grain patterns of wood boards, offering a look similar to that of traditional hardwood floors.
LVP is made up of multiple layers, typically including a durable wear layer on top, a high-resolution printed design layer that mimics wood grain, a rigid or flexible core for stability, and a backing layer for added support. LVP is often made using vinyl and PVC materials, which allow for a variety of designs and colors, giving it the versatility to suit different interior styles.
Factors for choosing the best flooring for a beach house
Choosing the right flooring for your beach house is an important decision. The unique environment of a coastal home, with its proximity to water, sand, and fluctuating humidity, demands flooring that can withstand these elements while maintaining its beauty and functionality. The constant flow of sandy feet, wet towels, and beach gear can quickly wear down less durable flooring options, making it essential to select flooring that can handle the demands of seaside living.
In addition to durability, ease of maintenance is another key factor to consider. Beach houses often serve as family vacation getaways or rental homes, where relaxation is the priority. The last thing you want is to spend your time worrying about difficult-to-clean floors. The right flooring choice should offer a hassle-free cleaning experience, allowing you to enjoy your beach home without the constant worry of damage or stains.
Aesthetic appeal is also important, as your beach house should reflect the serene and laid-back vibe of a coastal lifestyle. The ideal flooring will not only meet practical needs but also enhance the overall look and feel of your home, creating a welcoming and comfortable beach environment.
With these considerations in mind, finding the perfect flooring solution for your beach house becomes a balance between functionality, durability, and style, ensuring your seaside home remains beautiful and resilient for many years. When searching for our current beach house, we toured many homes, some with hardwood floors and others with luxury vinyl plank (LVP). I’ve always preferred the look of hardwood floors, but the house that ultimately checked the most of our boxes had LVP, a choice we were initially unsure about. Now, after living with it, I can say I wouldn’t choose anything else for seaside living.
While there are many flooring options for beach houses, this list focuses specifically on how LVP compares to hardwood. Here’s why LVP has proven to be the perfect flooring for a beach house.
5 Benefits of Using LVP Flooring for a Beach House
After living with LVP flooring in our beach house and seeing how well it’s worked out for this environment and lifestyle, these are the top reasons I’ve come to appreciate it and why it’s such a smart choice for coastal living, including a few I’ve learned about along the way. Rather than exploring every flooring option out there, I’m honing in on the key differences between hardwood and LVP for beach living.
1. LVP flooring is water-resistant.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring being water-resistant is a huge advantage for a beach house because it can handle the constant exposure to moisture from wet beach towels, wet feet, wet swimsuits, and humid coastal air. This feature prevents warping, swelling, and other water-related damage that can easily ruin traditional hardwood flooring in a beach house setting.
Of course, this doesn’t mean LVP is floodproof. It can withstand the moisture and wetness from everyday things like spills and humidity, but if your house floods, it would likely get damaged. The benefit is that with water-resistant luxury vinyl plank flooring, you get a floor that stays looking great and lasts longer in humid environments, making it perfect for the often damp atmosphere of a beach house. The moisture-resistant quality of LVP has made living in our beach house so much more laid back and relaxing, since we’re not constantly worrying about water damage from wet swimsuits, beach towels, or the occasional spill.
With hardwood floors, even a small amount of moisture can cause warping, staining, or buckling, which means constant vigilance to keep the floors dry. If you use your beach house as a rental, you can’t always count on renters to stay on top of this. But with LVP, we don’t have to stress about every little drop of water or the mess that comes with beach life since it can handle it all while still looking great. This feature has given us more freedom to simply enjoy our home without feeling like we have to tiptoe around it.
2. LVP flooring is more durable than hardwood.
LVP flooring is designed to handle everyday wear and tear in high-traffic areas. Its durable multilayer construction makes it a practical choice for homes with kids and pets, and its flexibility helps absorb impacts when items are dropped. I have a dog, and am impressed that I can’t see scratches on the floor. In our previous home, the hardwood floors showed lots of scratches from my dog walking and playing, and the hardwood in front of the door where my dog would access the yard showed water damage despite my efforts to protect it from the rain and snow that would get tracked inside. After living with LVP the floors still look like new.
LVP is perfect for a beach house because it can withstand heavy foot traffic, abrasive sand, and the occasional scuffs from beach gear. Its tough surface resists scratches and dents, ensuring your floors stay looking nice despite the wear and tear of seaside living. This durability means fewer repairs since it stands up to the constant comings and goings that a beach house often sees during summer, especially if it’s used as a rental.
3. LVP flooring is low-maintenance.
When it comes to upkeep, luxury vinyl flooring offers a hassle-free experience compared to hardwood floors, especially in a beach house setting. LVP is designed to be low-maintenance, making it perfect for the relaxed, easygoing vibe of beach living. A simple sweep or vacuum and occasional mopping with a mild cleaner is all it takes to keep LVP pristine. Its resistance to water and stains means I don’t have to worry about spills or moisture causing lasting damage, which is a significant advantage in a humid, sandy environment. Unlike hardwood flooring, LVP doesn’t require regular refinishing or careful cleaning to prevent damage.
Hardwood floors, while undeniably beautiful, require more diligent care to maintain their appearance and integrity. Constant sweeping and vacuuming are necessary to prevent sand from scratching the surface, and any spills must be wiped up immediately to avoid water damage. Hardwood floors also need periodic refinishing to restore their shine and repair scratches, dents, or discoloration. This process can be time-consuming and costly, involving sanding, staining, and sealing. Additionally, hardwood’s sensitivity to humidity and temperature fluctuations makes it more susceptible to warping and gaps, particularly in a beach house where such conditions are common.
In contrast, LVP is engineered to withstand these temperature and humidity changes without compromising its structural integrity, providing peace of mind and saving you from frequent, expensive maintenance. Overall, the ease of maintenance with luxury vinyl plank flooring allows you to spend more time enjoying your beach house and less time worrying about the upkeep of your floors. Its durability and resilience make it a practical and attractive choice for beach living, which keeps your floors looking beautiful with minimal effort.
4. LVP flooring is easier to install than hardwood.
The LVP flooring in my house was already installed when we moved in, but while researching its care and maintenance, I discovered how easy it is to install, making it an ideal option for anyone renovating a beach house (or any home) on a budget.
Unlike hardwood, which often requires professional installation due to precise cutting, nailing, and finishing, LVP can be a straightforward DIY project. LVP is designed with click-lock systems that make installation simple, as the planks snap together easily, and it doesn’t require nails, glue, or additional padding. It can often be installed over existing floors, so there’s no need for extensive prep work. This not only saves time but also reduces labor costs, making it an accessible choice for anyone looking to refresh their space without the hassle or expense of traditional hardwood.
5. LVP flooring is more affordable than hardwood.
When it comes to affordability, luxury vinyl plank flooring offers significant cost savings compared to hardwood. For many homeowners, especially those renovating a beach house, budget is a major consideration. LVP offers the appealing look of hardwood without the hefty price tag, making it an appealing choice for anyone looking for an affordable flooring option.
As I mentioned previously, LVP installation is generally more straightforward and can often be done as a DIY project, which eliminates the need for professional installation fees typically associated with hardwood. This ease of installation adds to the savings, not just on materials but also on labor costs, making luxury vinyl plank flooring an even more cost-effective choice than hardwood flooring.
Additionally, the durability of luxury vinyl that I mentioned earlier means fewer repairs and maintenance costs. Hardwood, while beautiful, is prone to scratches, dents, and water damage, especially in a beach environment. These issues can lead to costly maintenance and more frequent refinishing. In contrast, LVP is designed to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life like you get at the beach, reducing long-term costs and ensuring your floors stay looking great with minimal upkeep. Granted, the overall lifespan of LVP is shorter than that of hardwood, meaning you’ll need to replace the flooring at least every 25 years, whereas hardwood can last a lifetime if it’s refinished every 8–12 years and well-maintained.
Overall, the affordability of luxury vinyl plank flooring, from initial purchase to installation and maintenance, makes it an attractive option for beach house owners looking to achieve a stylish, durable, water-resistant, and budget-friendly flooring solution that fits well with a relaxed seaside lifestyle.
Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Flooring
There are advantages and disadvantages to both luxury vinyl floors and hardwood flooring, so you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each to determine which makes the most sense for your home and your lifestyle. I’ve created a chart showing a comparison of luxury vinyl plank vs. hardwood flooring for a beach house:
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For my beach lifestyle and priorities, luxury vinyl plank emerges as the clear winner for beach house flooring, so I’m glad we ended up buying a house that has it. LVP offers a winning combination of style, durability, affordability, and practicality. Its ability to withstand moisture, resist wear and tear, and mimic the look of hardwood makes it an excellent choice for coastal homes. Whether you’re building a new beach house or renovating an existing one, opting for luxury vinyl plank flooring means that your floors will not only withstand the wet, sandy foot traffic but also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your seaside home for years to come.
Of course, I also love the look of hardwood floors, and they can last a lifetime (with the necessary upkeep and periodic refinishing) while bringing added resale value to your home. In the end, only you can decide which type of flooring is best for your beach house and lifestyle. I hope this list helps you to feel more confident in your decision, no matter which option you choose.
Save These Thoughts About Why LVP is the Best Flooring for a Beach House
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5 Reasons Why LVP Is the Perfect Flooring for a Beach House
Are you thinking about using hardwood floors or LVP flooring for a beach house? Which do you think is the best flooring for a beach house? Share your thoughts in the comments.
