Vinyl plank flooring is designed to look like hardwood planks, stone, or other natural materials—but requires a substantially lower cost investment: Typically $3 to $5 less per square foot.

Trying to figure out whether laminate or hardwood best suits your flooring needs can be difficult, as both are high-quality, attractive options. The bottom line: if you value authenticity above all else, there's nothing like hardwood. For ease of mind and a budget-friendly alternative, laminate is the way to go.