What is the price difference between hardwood and LVP installation in New Brunswick?

Hardwood flooring costs roughly 30–50% more than luxury vinyl plank (LVP) to install in New Brunswick, with solid hardwood running $8–$14 per square foot fully installed compared to $5–$12 per square foot for quality LVP. On a typical 1,000 square foot main floor, that translates to a real-dollar difference of $1,000–$5,000 depending on the specific products you're comparing.

Here's the detailed cost comparison for the NB market:

Solid Hardwood vs. LVP

Solid hardwood (red oak, white oak, maple, birch) costs $5–$8 per square foot for materials and $3–$6 per square foot for nail-down installation labour, totalling $8–$14 per square foot fully installed. A 1,000 square foot installation runs $8,000–$14,000.

Quality LVP with an SPC or WPC core costs $3–$7 per square foot for materials (premium brands like COREtec or Shaw Floorte push $5–$8) and $2–$5 per square foot for installation labour, totalling $5–$12 per square foot fully installed. The same 1,000 square feet runs $5,000–$12,000.

Engineered hardwood splits the difference at $6–$14 per square foot fully installed, offering real wood appearance with better dimensional stability than solid hardwood.

The cost gap widens further when you factor in the hidden costs specific to each product. Hardwood requires 5–10 days of acclimation before installation in NB, meaning the wood sits in your home using space and potentially delaying the project. Solid hardwood demands a flat, dry wood subfloor — if your NB home has old board subfloors, a plywood overlay ($1.50–$3.00 per square foot) is often required. And maintaining hardwood in NB's Maritime climate requires a whole-home humidifier in winter and dehumidifier or AC in summer — ongoing costs that LVP simply doesn't require. LVP, on the other hand, can be installed over concrete, wood subfloors, and even existing hard flooring with minimal prep, and it needs no acclimation period.

The performance comparison in NB's climate heavily favours LVP for many applications. New Brunswick's 30–50% annual humidity swing between winter drying and summer humidity is the most demanding environment for solid hardwood in Eastern Canada. Solid hardwood gaps in winter, may cup in summer, and requires constant humidity management. LVP is dimensionally stable through any humidity range, 100% waterproof, and performs identically whether it's minus 25 outside in February or plus 30 with Maritime humidity in August. For basements — where solid hardwood should never be installed — LVP is the clear winner.

However, hardwood has real advantages worth paying for. Solid hardwood can be refinished 3–5 times over a 50–100 year lifespan ($3–$6 per square foot each time), while LVP is a replace-when-worn product lasting 15–25 years. Hardwood adds more to home resale value in the NB market. And many homeowners simply prefer the authentic look, feel, and sound of real wood underfoot — LVP has improved dramatically but doesn't perfectly replicate the warmth and character of genuine hardwood.

The practical advice for NB homeowners: if you want the look of wood throughout your home and can commit to humidity control, engineered hardwood offers the best balance of appearance, stability, and value. If waterproofing, low maintenance, and budget matter most, LVP delivers exceptional performance in NB's climate at a lower cost. Many NB homeowners combine both — hardwood in the living and dining areas, LVP in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and entryways. Get matched with a flooring professional through New Brunswick Flooring for free estimates on either product.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Arctic Fox Construction Inc.
• First united design & construction inc.
• Gionetterenovations
• RenoMe
• M&L Commercial and residential services