Choosing between hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is one of the more common flooring decisions Denver homeowners face — and Colorado's climate should weigh on it more than most people expect. Our dry air and big daily temperature swings behave differently than the humid climates a lot of flooring advice is written for. Here's how to think it through.
How Colorado's dry air changes the math
Denver sits at high altitude with famously low humidity. Solid hardwood is a natural material that expands and contracts with moisture in the air, and in a very dry home it can shrink, leaving small gaps between planks in winter. It's manageable — a whole-home humidifier and stable indoor conditions go a long way — but it's a real factor here in a way it isn't at sea level.
LVP, being synthetic, is far more stable across humidity swings. For basements, mudrooms, and anywhere moisture or temperature varies, that stability is a genuine advantage.
Where hardwood still wins
Hardwood remains the premium choice for a reason. It looks and feels like what it is, adds resale value, and — critically — can be refinished. A solid hardwood floor can be sanded and restained several times over its life, which means decades of use and the ability to change the color as styles shift. For main living areas in a home you plan to keep, that longevity is hard to beat.
- Best for: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and homes where resale value matters.
- Strengths: timeless look, refinishable, adds value, lasts for decades.
- Watch for: dry-winter gapping, higher cost, not ideal for wet areas.
Where LVP makes more sense
Modern LVP has come a long way — the good stuff convincingly mimics wood and stone, and it's waterproof, scratch-resistant, and comfortable underfoot. For busy households with kids and pets, basements, or budgets that need to stretch further, it's often the smarter call.
- Best for: basements, kitchens, mudrooms, rentals, and high-traffic family homes.
- Strengths: waterproof, stable in dry air, durable, budget-friendly.
- Watch for: it can't be refinished, and quality varies a lot by product.
The honest answer: it depends on the room
Plenty of Colorado homes use both — hardwood in the main living spaces, LVP in the basement and wet areas. The right choice depends on the room, your budget, and how long you plan to stay. If you want a straight recommendation for your specific home, our flooring team offers free in-home estimates and will tell you honestly which makes sense where.