There are few things more important than choosing the right flooring material for a home or business. Functionality and style literally start from the ground up. This is one of the first choices you’ll make in a remodel or new build, so make sure you’re choosing right.

Hardwood and vinyl flooring are two of the most popular options, so how do they measure up to each other? We’ll put these two materials head-to-head on categories like cost, maintenance, and sustainability to help you figure out which is right for you.

Hardwood Flooring: Pros and Cons

Hardwood flooring is more of an investment, but it has many advantages. Although installation can be more pricey, hardwood flooring is a hardy material that can be sanded down and refinished to correct damage or even change up its look.

If sourced responsibly, hardwood floors are also more eco-friendly. Lumber from properly managed forests fights against deforestation and supports local flora and fauna.

Pros	Cons
Made from renewable materials Easy to clean Repairable Can be re-stained to change the look	More expensive to install Requires routine maintenance

Vinyl Flooring: Pros and Cons

Vinyl flooring comes in an array of options, such as sheets or tiles that are made to look like wood, stone, tile, or almost any other material. It’s a less expensive option, making it an ideal choice for flooring on a budget.

However, vinyl flooring doesn’t last as long as hardwood flooring, and it isn’t environmentally friendly because it’s made from fossil fuels.

Pros	Cons
Less expensive to install Easy to clean Comes in many styles	Made from non-renewable material Prone to scratching Can’t be repaired

1. Design Aesthetic

Winner: Hardwood

Vinyl or hardwood floors can suit any style, mimicking any material, such as faux marble, if stone isn’t in your budget. However, if your taste changes later, your only option is to rip it all up and redo the floors.

Hardwood flooring comes in many different styles, depending on the type of lumber and stain used. For example, Hickory is a naturally dark lumber, but a similar look might be achieved with a dark stain on a lighter wood like Basswood.

Because it’s such a desirable material, it never goes out of style and may even increase your home’s value. However, the real reason hardwood wins in this category is because it’s much easier to achieve a different look by sanding down and restaining hardwood floors.

2. Cost of Materials

Winner: Vinyl

When you get a quote for flooring installation, vinyl flooring will almost always be less expensive. But keep in mind that you could pay more over time if there’s damage to repair. For example, if you have pets that scratch up the floor or if moisture gets between the vinyl panels, you might have to replace it much sooner than anticipated.

Although hardwood can cost more, hardwood flooring typically lasts much longer than vinyl options. Hardwood floors can last decades with a little TLC.

3. Maintenance

Winner: Tie

Both vinyl and hardwood floors are very easy to clean. They can be swept, vacuumed, and wiped down with the proper cleaning agents. For vinyl floors, look for a cleaner that won’t scratch the surface or cause lifting along the panels. Hardwood floors can be cleaned with any floor cleaner marked safe for use on wood.

Although vinyl flooring needs no additional maintenance beyond cleaning, there’s also nothing to do to fix it if damage occurs. Hardwood is slightly higher maintenance because it needs to be resealed every so often. However, minor water damage or scratches in hardwood can be easily repaired, which is why we’re calling this one a tie.

4. Recyclability and Biodegradability

Winner: Hardwood

Hardwood is the clear winner when it comes to sustainability. Vinyl, like all plastics, is made from fossil fuels. Although some plastics are recyclable, vinyl flooring usually isn’t, so it doesn’t get a second life after it’s removed from the floor. It’s also not biodegradable.

Hardwood flooring from ethically harvested lumber is much more sustainable. Active forest management ensures a steady growth of new trees as mature trees are processed for lumber. And unlike vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring can be recycled and repurposed after it’s removed from a home. Even if the hardwood can’t be repurposed, it’s a biodegradable material, so it will break down instead of sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years.

5. Carbon Footprint

Winner: Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has a much smaller carbon footprint than vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring production releases a large amount of carbon and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

Forests are a key component of the carbon sequestration process. This means that trees capture and store carbon from the air, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That carbon stays in the wood throughout its lifespan, so using sustainable hardwood flooring can have a positive impact on the environment.

6. Production Impacts

Winner: Hardwood

The production of hardwood puts less strain on the environment and natural resources compared to vinyl. Transforming fossil fuels to vinyl is a very energy-intensive process and each step can release harmful byproducts and chemicals into the air and water supply.

Processing wood into lumber uses far less energy and fewer chemicals. Some hardwood might be chemically treated to kill invasive species like the Emerald Ash Borer, but otherwise, processing trees is simple.

You can also look for FSC®-certified options, which are strictly regulated to meet ethical and sustainable production guidelines:

• Black Cherry
• Hard Maple
• Northern Red Oak
• Northern White Ash
• Red Maple
• White Oak

7. Air Quality & Chemical Emissions

Winner: Hardwood

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. There are some less harmful VOCs you probably have around the house already, like hairspray or kitchen cleaner. However, some VOCs are much more harmful.

Many plastics, like vinyl, can off-gas harmful VOCs for years, reducing air quality in a home and causing issues for children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Hardwood floors can off-gas VOCs after they’re re-sealed, but these dissipate much faster, so there isn’t as much exposure compared to vinyl flooring.

Choose Hardwood Flooring for Life

Whether you’re remodeling a home or rebranding a small business, new floors can completely change the feeling of a space. Instead of cutting corners with vinyl, choose hardwood flooring that lasts a lifetime, is always in fashion, and is even good for the environment.

At Gutchess Lumber Inc., Co., we’re dedicated to ethical lumber manufacturing at the highest standard. Choose from our FSC®-certified hardwood for a product you can trust to last for years to come.

FAQs

Is hardwood more sustainable than vinyl?

Yes, hardwood is a more sustainable material than vinyl because it’s made from trees, which are a renewable resource. Vinyl is made from non-renewable fossil fuels.

Does vinyl flooring affect indoor air quality?

Yes, vinyl flooring can affect indoor air quality because it can release VOCs that are damaging to breathe.

What happens to flooring at the end of its life?

At the end of its life, flooring can be recycled, reused, or thrown out, depending on the material. Hardwood flooring is usually able to be reused or recycled, and if it must be thrown out, it’s biodegradable. Vinyl flooring, however, can usually only be thrown out, and it doesn’t break down like natural materials can.

There are endless potential projects where hardwood is the superior material choice for its beauty, workability, and durability. But for eco-conscious consumers, they might have reservations, imagining the pages of The Lorax where trees are chopped without care.

Luckily, things have changed since Dr. Suess’s time. Now, we have someone else to speak for the trees — the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and ethical lumber manufacturers like Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc.

With our FSC®-certified hardwood, you can bring any dream project to life knowing it doesn’t come at an environmental or human toll. We’ll dive deep into what FSC® certification means and how Gutchess Lumber’s environmental and sustainability policies set us apart in the lumber industry.

What Is FSC® Certification?

FSC® certification is a certificate that forests or lumber-based products can earn if they meet stringent ethical, environmental, and social standards.

The FSC® has been dedicated to protecting the world’s forests since 1994, focusing on improving sustainability and human impact throughout the supply chain. Its mission is to protect forests and work with the lumber industry, instead of against it.

To earn FSC® certification, a forest must:

1. Submit an application to a third-party FSC®-accredited certification body.
2. Complete an assessment with the FSC®-accredited certification body.
3. Complete the FSC® Check questionnaire.
4. Sign the FSC® Trademark License Agreement.
5. Once approved, complete annual audits through the FSC®-accredited certification body.

It might seem odd that inspections and certifications are completed through a third-party body. But this process encourages consistency as these third-party certification bodies can dedicate more time to vet potential forests.

FSC® Chain of Custody Certification

The FSC® chain of custody certification encourages manufacturers and producers to maintain a transparent, ethical, and traceable supply chain. To earn this certification, manufacturers must prove:

• Forest-based materials used in at least part of the production must be FSC®-certified.
• FSC®-certified material must be identified and tracked throughout the supply chain.
• All involved parties must be able to produce all documents and records relating to FSC®-certified product production, purchase, and sales.
• There must be no child or forced labor at any point in the supply chain.
• There must be no employment discrimination.
• Certificate holders must protect their workers’ freedom of association and right to collective bargaining.

Why Choose FSC®-Certified Hardwood

When lumber is harvested, processed, and manufactured from an FSC®-certified forest, there are more checkpoints throughout the supply chain to ensure consumers receive a superior product.

Gutchess Lumber’s FSC®-certified products include:

• Black Cherry
• Hard Maple
• Northern Red Oak
• Northern White Ash
• Red Maple
• White Oak

Sustainability Beyond FSC® Certification: Our Commitment

As a family- and employee-owned organization, we’re proud to use practices that make lumber manufacturing a more ethical industry. See how our values set Gutchess Lumber apart:

Environmental Responsibility	Our wood is sourced from actively managed forests that conserve biodiversity and replant trees, prioritizing forest health over profit.
Social Benefits	Gutchess supports local communities with scholarship funds, community education events, and other opportunities.
Traceability	We play an active role in modeling responsible supply chains and green building.
High Quality	Our strict standards offer customers high-quality hardwood and ethical sourcing.
Reduced Carbon Footprint	We use practices that promote carbon sequestration, reducing our carbon footprint.

How FSC® Certification Benefits You

Choosing lumber from FSC®-certified forests doesn’t just promote environmental and social responsibility. It’s just one way to ensure your lumber manufacturer is invested in their product, for higher quality lumber and happier customers.

Choose transparency and be confident in a better product, whether sourcing for green building, urban infrastructure, or high-quality flooring. The team at Gutchess is with you every step of the way, speaking for the trees without sacrificing your bottom line.

FAQs

How does Gutchess Lumber ensure responsible sourcing?

Gutchess Lumber offers FSC®-certified products and only sources from sustainably- and actively-managed forests to ensure we don’t become part of the problem in the lumber industry.

Why is FSC® certification important for sustainability?

FSC® certification is important because it upholds a high standard, evaluated by accredited third-party bodies. This means certified manufacturers like Gutchess are held to a consistent, high standard. They are also held accountable to maintain those sustainable practices and keep their certification.

Is FSC®-certified wood higher quality?

Although FSC® certification doesn’t specifically cover product quality, it supports well-managed supply chains that often produce higher-quality products.

Is FSC®-certified wood more expensive?

In some cases, FSC®-certified wood might be more expensive. But typically, other factors affect the price more, such as supply, demand, seasonal or environmental factors, and mill capacity.

You may have noticed Ash prices creeping up if you’re a manufacturer working with hardwood in the United States and beyond. Although we wish this was because of market demand and trends, the real reason is bleak — Ash tree populations are in steep decline.

Consider a more sustainable Ash wood replacement to keep your business supplied with the right materials in the face of this shortage. Read on to learn more about what’s happening to Ash trees and which species will be the most effective alternatives for manufacturers.

Is Ash wood disappearing?

Unfortunately, North American Ash tree populations are dwindling. We’ll go into greater detail below about why you might have noticed an Ash wood shortage. Right now, five species of Ash trees are critically endangered, with more species at risk.

Emerald Ash Borer Impacts

There’s a small beetle on the scene causing huge problems for Ash trees called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). These invasive beetles are native to Asia, and it’s thought they were brought over in packaging and manufactured goods. In North America, the EAB has killed hundreds of millions of Ash trees.

Since their initial discovery in 2002, the EAB has spread throughout North America, driving Ash tree extinction. The EAB’s life cycle centers around the Ash tree, although the larval stage is most harmful to native Ash populations in North America:

1. A mature EAB lays eggs in Ash tree bark.
2. About three weeks later, the eggs hatch.
3. The larvae eat their way into the Ash tree, creating distinct swirling patterns called galleries in the wood just beneath the bark.
4. After one to two years of eating beneath the bark, the larvae enter the sapwood to create a pupal chamber.
5. The larvae turn into pupae and remain in the chamber throughout winter.
6. In the spring, the pupae transform into mature EABs, exiting the tree and leaving a “D” shaped hole in the bark.
7. The mature EAB eat Ash leaves, mate, and begin the cycle again.

Although mature Emerald Ash Borers eat Ash leaves, the real damage happens during the larval stage. Each mature female lays hundreds of eggs, so the sheer number of larvae devastates the tree bark. This damage leaves the tree vulnerable to disease and the natural elements, eventually killing the tree.

How To Help Ash Populations Recover

Some things need to change to slow the decline of Ash tree populations. Looking for products made with other selectively harvested trees is one way manufacturers and consumers can do their part.

Other recommended actions include:

• Never transport firewood or untreated Ash more than 50 miles from where it was purchased
• Hire a professional to safely remove infected trees
• Report any suspected infestations to the USDA

Ash Alternatives

Ash lumber and goods have become very expensive and risky to manufacture because of this ongoing shortage. This is leading lumber buyers and manufacturers of wooden goods to see suitable Ash wood alternatives, such as Red Oak and Hard Maple.

Characteristic	Ash Lumber	Red Oak Lumber	Hard Maple Lumber
Color	Light, cool-toned	Light, warm-toned	Light, neutral-toned
Wood grain	Straight	Straight	Straight to slightly wavy
Janka Hardness Rating	1320	1290	1450

Ash Substitute for Construction: Red Oak Lumber

If you’re looking for an Ash wood replacement for construction, cabinetry, or other woodworking endeavors, then Red Oak is a solid choice. It works well as an Ash replacement for stained or thermally-modified projects because its distinct and definitive grain gives it a very similar look to Ash lumber.

Red Oak has a Janka Hardness rating of 1290, which means it’s that sweet spot that makes it workable enough for beautiful projects and dense enough to hold up with use.

Wondering where to buy Red Oak lumber? Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has you covered with our reliable Northern Red Oak lumber, always sourced responsibly, always top quality.

Ash Substitute for Flooring: Hard Maple Lumber

Hard Maple is a fantastic alternative to Ash for hardwood flooring. It has a 1450 Janka Hardness rating, so it will hold up even better than Ash or another alternative like Red Oak to dents or scratches. It’s suitable for projects where you need lumber that looks like Ash before staining because Hard Maple and Ash have very similar coloring.

Source your Hard Maple lumber from providers with responsible forest management practices to support ethical forestry as you find the perfect Ash lumber replacement. Gutchess’s Hard Maple lumber is a fantastic replacement for Ash because our forests have slower growth seasons. Because of this, our Hard Maple trees have tighter growth rings, which translates to higher quality and better coloring than other Ash tree replacements.

Support Native Forests and Source Ash Alternatives With Gutchess

It’s hard to see bare and dead trees where sprawling Ash populations used to thrive. Choose Ash alternatives or work with sustainably managed Ash suppliers in manufacturing to support these trees in crisis.

Gutchess Lumber works closely with forestry experts to support healthy tree populations and spread knowledge about how we use their expertise to play a positive role in the carbon cycle. Find a Gutchess Sales Rep for expert guidance on which Ash replacement would be best for your manufacturing business.

FAQ

Can dead Ash trees be used for lumber?

Yes, dead Ash trees can be used for lumber but it must be done carefully to ensure it doesn’t spread the Emerald Ash Borer. The lumber must be properly heat-treated to kill eggs and larvae that could be in the bark.

However, if the tree was harvested from a quarantine area, it shouldn’t be transported, even if properly treated.

Why is Ash wood so expensive?

Ash wood is getting more expensive because the population has steeply declined since 2002 when the Emerald Ash Borer was brought to North America.

Why are Ash trees being removed?

If you notice local Ash trees being removed, they’re probably infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. This invasive beetle has rendered several Ash species critically endangered in North America.