Vinyl French Oak Flooring: Malibu Wide Plank Review

This fall I have been working on updating our primary bedroom. Like many builder grade homes, our bedrooms came with low quality shag carpet that wore out quickly. So, I wanted to replace the carpet with something more durable and aesthetically pleasing. After doing lots of research, I chose Malibu Wide Plank vinyl French oak flooring for our owner’s suite!

We purchased the floors from The Home Depot and paid for installation as well. Keep reading for information about vinyl French oak flooring, plus a Malibu Wide Plank review!

This post may contain affiliate links.

What Color is French Oak?

While writing this post, I learned that the term “French oak” can be a misnomer because many products with the label are not, in fact, from France.

The flooring that I chose for our primary suite is vinyl plank that is meant to have the look of French oak floors. So in this case, the name refers to the color, wood grain, and texture–not the origin of the product.

When it comes to real wood floors, French oak has a warm, medium tone with a wavy grain pattern. The overall look is classic and versatile.

French Oak LVP, Engineered Wood, or Solid Wood?

The question of whether to choose luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered wood, or solid hardwood flooring is an important one. As with any interior design decision, you should compare the pros and cons of different products. After that, decide what is the best for your home and lifestyle.

Personally, I chose French oak LVP because it is affordable, waterproof, and maintenance free!

For a more in-depth comparison of luxury vinyl plank, engineered wood, and hardwood, check out this post and this post from The Spruce.

Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Good for Bedrooms?

Luxury vinyl plank is a great choice for bedrooms! The warm tone and wood grain look creates a cozy environment. In addition, LVP provides versatility since you can swap out different rugs under the bed to change the look of your space.

Finally, luxury vinyl plank is durable and waterproof, which is helpful if you decide to extend the flooring into an ensuite bathroom.

Malibu Wide Plank Review: French Oak Bidwell

The product I chose for our primary bedroom is the Malibu Wide Plank Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring in French Oak Bidwell.

Our Malibu Wide Plank LVP Details

• Style/Color: French Oak Bidwell
• Description: Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
• Dimensions: 4 mm thick x 7.17 in. wide x 60 in. length (20 mil wearlayer) + 1mm IXPE pad
• Sq. Ft. Per Box: 23.88
• Warranty: Lifetime limited residential / 10 years limited light commercial
• Internet Part #: 318104232
• S/O SKU #: 1006781010

Malibu Wide Plank Review

We have lived with our luxury vinyl plank floors for six weeks, and I truly could not be happier! Here is what I love:

• Realistic wood texture with plenty of variation (you don’t see the pattern repeat)
• A warm, honey brown wood tone with gray throughout to balance it
• Quality click lock system that creates a waterproof seal
• Very resistant to scratches (despite pushing furniture around, I haven’t noticed any at all)
• The designer French oak flooring look, on a budget!

I honestly do not have any cons to share at this time, except for the fact that they aren’t real wood. Personally, I can’t tell the difference. However, I plan to revisit this post over the next year and add more pros and cons if they arise!

In Conclusion

Stay tuned for more photos of our French oak flooring in the coming weeks as I reveal the completed primary bedroom and my new cloffice (closet office)!

You may also enjoy this post: Bedroom Wardrobe Design and IKEA PAX Review

Finally, please leave your questions in the comment section below! Xo,