So let's talk the about the difference between an engineered hardwood and a vinyl plank. And there are more than just the difference between the two flooring options. There are many differences within each type of flooring. For example: engineered hardwood flooring can come in different thickness overall and vinyl planks can come in different plank styles (glue down, WPC and SPC). Let's break this down for you guys a little further. Engineered hardwood is an incredible option for an authentic with longevity in mind. Typically is worth less than it's hardwood counterpart (hardwood) but in some instances, depending on the wood species, a high end engineered hardwood veneer could be worth more than a low grade hardwood such as your North American (domestic) species. Engineered hardwood is more often on the 7/16" side of thickness and that is your more price friendly thickness. You can special order a thicker 3/4" board, but that will come at a heftier price because it's added layers. The added layers create a more stable plank that expands and contracts at a lower rate than it's 7/16" counterpart. Engineered hardwoods always should and for the most part come prefinished with an aluminum oxide coat. This very coat is your barrier against everyday beatings from walking traffic and dropped items. This coat is very tough but no floor or finish is indestructible. You will have dents and scratches pop up over the years. Depending on the company, you can buy "refinish kits". Although, technically you cannot refinish aluminum oxide, the kits just help you hide the scratches until you decide to do a professional refinish to your floor. Lastly, let's talk about refinishing your hardwood floor. Please have a professional do it! And it is very expensive to do this job. Depending on your floor size it can cost well over $3,000 USD. At this rate, you are in the market for a high level LVP. Which brings me into the luxury vinyl plank spectrum. As you all are aware, LVP's are dominating the flooring market and they should be. They do a very, VERY good job at imitating a hardwood or stone surface and multiply the longevity all the while. Vinyl has come a long way in the last couple of decades let alone the last few years as far as planks are concerned. There are plenty of options and so, so many different brands all wanting you business. Luxury vinyl planks can be divided into two different categories in the market right now: glue down or floating. The first generation of vinyl planks are your glue downs. They are still very popular and serve as one of the friendliest DIY repair floors. You simply heat the old damaged plank, peel it and put a new one down. The floating aspect of planks gets a little more complicated as you can have a WPC (wood polymer composite), SPC (stone polymer composite) or a loose lay style. And you can look those up to see the complete difference in each to see what's your most needed. I'll lightly go over each to explain what they are. While all three styles are virtually waterproof, you really can't go wrong with any and will have a good product in each one. WPC's are a click based plank which does not require an underlayment, hence being labeled a "floating" floor. The foaming agent in the core of the plank helps with sound absorption and makes the plank a little more friendly to stand on. It's a thicker overall plank and you should think about how the trims will be affected. SPC's are a click based plank which also does not require an underlayment which helps reduce the installation cost. The core is limestone based and makes it very rigid and tough. It's extremely dent resistant but for the most part is lower in wear layer for some reason. You can however find plenty of SPC's with a higher wear layer, nearing 28-30 mil, but it will cost you more because you will have a high dent and scratch resistance. And finally you have your loose lay planks which are the ultimate form (as of now) in easy maintenance and installation. They do not require an underlayment, do not use a click system and don't need any adhesive (although some installers recommend gluing the perimeter). They have a friction backing which let you lay the plank adhesive free without any movement on its end. The plank itself is waterproof and pretty dent resistant. While engineered hardwood does cost more and is less maintenance friendly, it does add value to your home with the hardwood veneer. The ability to refinish gives you a long floor life but the cost of a refinish is a setback in itself. Luxury vinyl planks are a low cost and long lasting floor option but adds little to no value to your home. The endless options of styles and colors gives you endless customization to your home at a far less price. Either option can last a while but at this time vinyl planks are a better option for any household with multiple members, both human and furry alike. I hope this little bit of information helps in the short and long run. Just a flooring dude.

Demo. I'm never had bamboo flooring but, besides the concerns about making a moisture sandwich to rot and mold, I would be concerned about the expansion & contraction of the bamboo underneath the rigid overlay. What I understand about bamboo is that it is more wiggly than wood. Since you have engineered bamboo, probably doesn't move as much as a solid product would. There are other reasons to remove it--like avoiding having to undercut door casings and shorten up doors. Removing baseboard or compromise by having it buried behind flooring. Probably other reasons that I'm not thinking of, too. I would pry, scrape, whatever it takes to get it up & haul it to the firepit to get rid of it. There are going to be about a hundred responses telling you not to burn it. Fortunately, none of 'em know where I live. :-)

I am having the same dilemma. I currently have hardwood floors that have been badly damaged by my dogs. I was set on LVP for our new build that's currently in the design stage, but I keep thinking wistfully about hardwood and how much I love them. I, too, am not a fan of engineered. I prefer site finished hardwood just like what I grew up with in my parents' house and what I have now, but I keep thinking LVP would be the better choice in the long run. I'm not worried about resale, either, since we plan to live in this house for the foreseeable future. I'm sorry that I don't have any advice for you, but I understand your dilemma.

appreciate @SJ McCarthy agreed wood is wood. I've had cork before from prior owner, several residences ago and it is warm underfoot but not for us. Not sure if cork was maintained well or not but it wasn't in great shape when we bought that house so we had the discolored cork floor professionally removed and replaced with HW. Fridge water line and later on Fridge leaked in the back, needed wood floor replacement, not planning on wood in our next home (no Laminant/Engineered either after trying Laminant in our next residence (moisture caused swelling of the Laminant planks)). Engineered planks had cupping due to moisture by kitchen appliances.