Flooring trends shift slowly compared to paint colors or cabinet hardware, but one shift has been unmistakable over the past few years: luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has overtaken traditional hardwood as the most-requested flooring material for our clients across Chicago and the northwest suburbs. In this guide, we'll walk through why LVP has become the default choice in 2026, what it costs, and a real condo installation we recently completed.
Why LVP Has Become the Default Choice
Three things drive the shift: water resistance, durability, and price stability. Modern LVP is 100% waterproof at the wear layer, which makes it viable in kitchens, entryways, and even bathrooms — spaces where hardwood has always been a risk. It also resists scratching and denting far better than solid hardwood, which matters for households with pets or kids. And unlike hardwood, which has seen material costs swing significantly over the past several years, LVP pricing has stayed comparatively stable.
Visually, modern LVP has closed the gap with real hardwood. High-end lines use deep embossed textures and varied plank patterns that are difficult to distinguish from wood at normal viewing distance — a real change from the flat, glossy vinyl of a decade ago.
What LVP Flooring Costs in 2026
- Builder-grade LVP, installed: $4–$6 per square foot
- Mid-range LVP with better wear layer and texture, installed: $6–$9 per square foot
- Premium rigid-core LVP, installed: $9–$13 per square foot
For a typical 1,000-square-foot condo or main living area, that puts most projects in the $5,000–$9,000 range for full installation, including removal of old flooring and subfloor prep.
Recent Project: Full LVP Installation in a Chicago-Area Condo
We recently completed a full flooring replacement in a Chicago-area high-rise condo — an old carpet and worn subfloor swapped out for a rich, dark oak-look LVP across the entire main living space and bedrooms.
The old carpet and padding had to come out completely, along with tack strips and years of buildup on the subfloor. Once the subfloor was leveled and prepped, our crew installed the new LVP plank by plank, working around the building's tight elevator and hallway logistics — a common challenge with high-rise condo projects that ground-level homes don't have.
The result: a completely transformed living space with flooring that reads as rich hardwood, handles daily wear far better than carpet ever did, and dramatically brightens the unit thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting off the finish.
LVP vs. Hardwood: Which Should You Choose?
Hardwood still has a place — it's the standard buyers expect in higher-end single-family homes in areas like Northbrook or Glenview, and it can be refinished multiple times over its life. But for condos, rental properties, homes with pets or kids, or any space near moisture, LVP is now the more practical choice for most homeowners we work with. It's also significantly faster to install, with no sanding, staining, or curing time — most rooms are walkable the same day.
Considering a flooring update? Hammer Remodeling LLC installs LVP, tile, and hardwood flooring throughout Chicago and the northwest suburbs. Call us at (331) 231-2157 for a free in-home estimate.
Hammer Remodeling LLC has served homeowners across Chicago's northwest suburbs for over 20 years. We specialize in bathroom remodeling, kitchen renovation, tile & flooring, and home repairs — with a licensed crew that does every project ourselves, no subcontractors.