Hardwood vs. Vinyl vs. Laminate: Choosing the Right Flooring & Custom Wood Molding Finishes

Choosing the Right Flooring: What Every Homeowner Should Know

At FC Millworks, we specialize in finishing details that elevate the look and feel of any flooring installation — from custom stair nosings and floor transitions to custom wood molding and flush vents. But a beautiful finish starts with choosing the right type of flooring. Homeowners often ask us which material is best: 3/4” solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, vinyl plank, or laminate. Each option has strengths and trade-offs, and the right choice depends on the needs of the space and how it will be used.

Solid 3/4” Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood is a classic choice that delivers long-term value, visual warmth, and unmatched refinishing potential. It’s typically milled from a single piece of wood and installed by nailing it to a wooden subfloor. Over time, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times, allowing it to last decades — even generations.

For clients building high-end homes or restoring heritage spaces, solid hardwood is hard to beat. At FC Millworks, we fabricate custom stair nosings, baseboard transitions, and return moldings directly from the same hardwood material used for the floor. These finishing touches ensure colour and grain consistency throughout, helping the entire installation feel cohesive and tailored.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood features a top veneer of real wood bonded to multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard. This layered design helps prevent warping or cupping in humid environments, making it a smart option for condos, basements, or homes with radiant heat systems. It can be glued, nailed, or floated depending on the situation.

While the wear layer on engineered hardwood limits refinishing to once or twice, many homeowners appreciate the convenience of prefinished planks and broader installation flexibility. FC Millworks frequently works with engineered flooring by producing matching moldings, stair nosings, and edge details to ensure a polished finish — especially when standard factory options don’t align with the aesthetic of the space.

Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVP/LVT)

Vinyl plank flooring has become one of the top choices for modern families due to its waterproof construction, excellent durability, and realistic wood-look designs. It’s made from synthetic materials and is perfect for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms. It also features easy click-lock installation and minimal maintenance requirements.

One challenge with vinyl is the finish work, particularly on stairs. Many installers rely on off-the-shelf vinyl stair nosings, but these rarely match the flooring planks and tend to wear poorly. At FC Millworks, we specialize in crafting stair nosings and trim pieces using the actual flooring planks, ensuring colour continuity and long-term durability. For clients seeking a clean, high-end look, especially on open or floating stairs, this type of custom work makes a dramatic difference.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring remains a budget-friendly option for those looking to get the look of wood without the associated cost. It consists of a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core topped with a photographic image and wear layer. Laminate is fairly durable in dry environments but does not tolerate moisture well — even a small spill can lead to warping.

It’s commonly used in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways, but is not recommended for bathrooms or basements. One of the most common complaints we hear is about mismatched or poorly fitting stair nosings. That’s why FC Millworks provides a laminate floor stair nosing solution crafted from the actual floor material, ensuring a clean, seamless look. These custom pieces eliminate gaps, improve safety, and greatly enhance the overall presentation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

• 3/4” Hardwood

• Water Resistance: Low

• Durability: Excellent

• Refinishable: Yes (multiple times)

• Installation Options: Nail-down

• Cost (Installed): $$$$

Custom Finishing Options: Excellent — ideal for matching with custom wood molding, stair nosings, and transitions made by FC Millworks

Engineered Hardwood

• Water Resistance: Moderate

• Durability: Good

• Refinishable: Yes (limited times)

• Installation Options: Glue, nail, or float

• Cost (Installed): $$$

Custom Finishing Options: Good — FC Millworks can fabricate compatible edge details and nosings for most engineered products

Vinyl Plank

• Water Resistance: High

• Durability: Good

• Refinishable: No

• Installation Options: Floating (click-lock)

• Cost (Installed): $$

Custom Finishing Options: Moderate — FC Millworks recommends custom stair nosings made from the vinyl planks to ensure a professional finish

Laminate

• Water Resistance: Low

• Durability: Fair

• Refinishable: No

• Installation Options: Floating

• Cost (Installed): $

• Custom Finishing Options: Moderate — especially when FC Millworks produces a laminate floor stair nosing to match

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right flooring isn’t just about what looks best in a showroom — it’s about matching materials to the way a space will be lived in. Solid hardwood offers timeless beauty and is perfect for spaces that demand legacy and custom detail. Engineered hardwood performs better in more challenging environments, while still maintaining a premium feel. Vinyl excels in practicality and waterproof performance, while laminate is an affordable choice for dry areas with moderate use.

No matter which flooring you choose, the finish details make all the difference. That’s where FC Millworks comes in. We produce custom wood and vinyl stair nosings, reducer strips, edge moldings, and flush-mount vents — all crafted in-house to match your flooring exactly. These elements are too often overlooked, but they’re what separate a generic install from a truly polished result.

If you’re planning a flooring project and want a professional finish that adds both beauty and value to your space, we’re here to help. FC Millworks takes pride in getting the details right — one step, one tread, one molding at a time.