The Ultimate Flooring Comparison: Sequoia® vs. Vinyl vs. Hardwood
Choosing the right floor for your home is one of the biggest renovation decisions you’ll make. You want the timeless beauty of authentic oak, but you need it to handle real life—kids, pets, spills, and heavy traffic.
For years, homeowners have had to choose between two imperfect options:
- Engineered Hardwood: Beautiful and real, but expensive, fragile, and susceptible to water damage.
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP/SPC): Waterproof and durable, but often feels "plastic-y," has noticeable repeating patterns, sometimes weak locking systems and contains PVC.
Sequoia® Wood Core Flooring was created to bridge this gap. It is the no-compromise solution, offering the authentic look and feel of high-end hardwood with the ultra-durability and water resistance usually reserved for vinyl.
Here is how Sequoia® stacks up against the competition.
| Feature | Sequoia® Wood Core | Luxury Vinyl (LVP/SPC) | Engineered Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | Yes (SpillResist® Technology) | Yes | No (Water resistant at best) |
| Core Material | Modified High-Density Wood | Stone or Plastic Composite | Plywood or Lumber |
| PVC & Vinyl Free | Yes (Eco-Friendly) | No (Contains PVC) | Yes |
| Durability Rating | AC6 (Highest Possible Rating) | Varies (Measured in "mils") | Moderate (Prone to dents) |
| Scratch Resistance | Superior (Aluminum Oxide finish) | High | Low to Moderate |
| Look & Feel | Ultra-Matte, Realistic Wood Texture | Can feel synthetic/plastic | Authentic wood feel |
| Pattern Repeat | Low (24 unique faces for realism) | High (Patterns repeat frequently) | None (Natural variation) |
Deep Dive: Sequoia® vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Vinyl flooring became popular because it solved the "water problem" of real wood. However, it introduced new problems: it often looks fake, feels cold and plastic underfoot, and is made using PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Why Sequoia® is the upgrade:
- The Feel Factor: Vinyl often feels sterile. Sequoia® uses a modified wood-based core and an ultra-matte brushed texture. When you walk on it bare-foot, it feels substantial and warm, like real wood, not like plastic.
- Healthier Home: Sequoia® is completely free of PVC and vinyl. It is Carb2 certified, making it a better choice for indoor air quality compared to many standard vinyl products.
- Durability Standards: Vinyl durability is measured by the thickness of its top layer (e.g., 20 mil). Sequoia® uses the European AC rating system. Our AC6 rating is the highest existing standard for abrasion and impact resistance, exceeding typical residential requirements.
Deep Dive: Sequoia® vs. Engineered Hardwood
We love the look of real white oak flooring—that’s why we designed Sequoia® to mimic it so closely. But traditional engineered hardwood simply cannot hold up to modern, busy lifestyles, especially in kitchens, entryways, or homes with pets.
Why Sequoia® is the practical choice:
- Water is No Longer the Enemy: Traditional hardwood warps, swells, and stains when exposed to moisture. Sequoia® is equipped with SpillResist® technology and a specially engineered high-density core that provides superior dimensional stability against moisture. You can install it in areas where wood dares not go.
- Superior Dent Resistance: Real wood is relatively soft. A dropped pot or a large dog's claws will dent engineered hardwood. Sequoia's surface layer is infused with Aluminum Oxide, creating an ultra-hard shield against dents and heavy wear.
- Realism Without the Maintenance: With 24 unique 9-1/2"x 70" faces, Sequoia eliminates the "repeating pattern" look of cheap laminates, providing the expansive, high-end aesthetic of real wood without the need for refinishing.
The Verdict
You no longer have to choose between aesthetics and performance. Sequoia® Wood Core Flooring offers the authentic beauty of hardwood, the iron-clad durability of vinyl, and an eco-conscious composition free of PVC.