This is a question we get asked all the time. Vinyl flooring was created back in the 1960s and laminate flooring just a few years later, so there isn’t much difference at all between them. They’re both affordable, water-resistant and easy to install. So what’s the real difference between vinyl and laminate you might be wondering? We’ll go over that now. In this article, we may cover the flooring pros and cons.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is extremely durable (you can walk on it with high heels without damaging it) which makes it an ideal choice for basements, kitchens or even bathrooms where moisture is present. Vinyl flooring doesn’t fade over time and it’s extremely water-resistant. It comes in a variety of patterns, many of them resembling hardwood or stone tiles, making it a good choice if you’re on a tight budget but want the look and feel of those more expensive materials.
It’s easy to clean as well, all you need is hot water and some dish soap (avoid using bleach as that may make it brittle). Be careful when installing vinyl flooring, most manufacturers recommend having an experienced professional install it for you since if they don’t do it correctly, the seams won’t line up properly, which makes the end result unsightly and can cause problems down the road. So if this is something you think you’ll want to do yourself, make sure the flooring you choose is peel and stick (they come in large sheets that can be applied to your floor without having to lay them out one by one).
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is made up of multiple layers. There’s the top layer which is made of high-quality PVC, then underneath that, there’s an inner core made of melamine resin or HDF. This inner core holds everything together so it doesn’t bend. Then below that is another PVC layer which makes this laminate extremely durable. It comes in many different patterns and has a “plasticized” feel to it, making it resistant to moisture as well, but not nearly as waterproof as vinyl plank flooring.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is easy to clean and doesn’t fade. The only major downside with laminate flooring is that it isn’t as dense as luxury vinyl flooring, so you won’t get the same “substance” in the material. It also scratches very easily, which makes it a poor choice in areas where there’s a lot of foot traffic or if your pets run around on it regularly since those scratches may be obvious when light shines on them.
Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring in Terms of Price
In terms of price, they’re both affordable options when compared to other types of flooring such as hardwood or ceramic tile. In fact, for many homeowners this is one of their biggest selling points, neither flooring vinyl nor laminate is expensive materials to manufacture, plus they require less labour than more traditional flooring types.
So as you can see, there really isn’t much difference at all between luxury vinyl and laminate flooring. In most cases they’re almost identical materials that are made up of the exact same layers from top to bottom, only laminate flooring is slightly denser than vinyl plank flooring which makes it a tad bit more durable. Laminate flooring may scratch a little easier but you won’t notice those scratches as easily since light doesn’t reflect off of them as it does on vinyl, so if you have pets or kids who run around on your floors regularly this might be a better option.
So in summary, both these cheap materials offer great value for money and the installation process is simple enough that just about anyone can do it themselves (with some exceptions like uncoupling membrane which can potentially be installed by professionals). Just pick one that fits in with your style or the mood you want to create in a room and go for it.
What is Popular Today?
Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices in floor coverings today due to its low maintenance and durability. However, not all flooring laminate is created equal, there are cheap laminates that can easily scratch and stain while more expensive ones don’t have these issues. There are key differences between these types of floorings so if you’re thinking about installing laminate flooring in your home here’s what you could know before making a decision.
Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring
Both laminate and vinyl flooring are manufactured using very similar materials (including the use of melamine resin or HDF to make the inner core). Other than that, they don’t have much in common, vinyl plank flooring come in rolls which you can easily install by getting them down to the subfloor yourself while installing laminate is a lot more complex because it comes in large sheets that need to be put down one by one.
Vinyl plank flooring is made up of multiple layers, which gives it its unique texture and makes it waterproof, there’s an outer layer made of PVC that gives it its colour and durability while underneath there’s another layer made up of polyurethane foam which acts as insulation so outdoor temperatures won’t affect indoor ones.
Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring
The reason why these two types of flooring are often compared is that people want to know which one is better. Well, it’s not that simple because they’re both good options depending on the application. In terms of durability and installation, you can’t go wrong with either one, however, luxury vinyl flooring has a few distinct advantages over laminate such as being denser so it’s more resistant to moisture and harsh chemicals while requiring less labour since you can easily install it by yourself without having any previous experience.
Laminate comes in many different designs and textures so there really isn’t a downside here except for the fact that it scratches a lot easier than vinyl flooring does so this might be a deal-breaker if you have kids or pets who run around on your floors a lot.
Difference Between Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
The price may be the biggest difference between these two types of flooring, vinyl flooring is similarly priced to laminate so there’s no doubt about which one wins in this category. However, choosing cheap floorings means having to compromise on quality because since they’re made up of fewer layers the surface is more delicate and scratches easily, not to mention it can’t be used outdoors like laminate. Laminate costs more but it lasts longer, if you install it properly this type of flooring may make it through high traffic areas without any problems (though slippery surfaces may cause accidents).
Laminate vs Vinyl
Another category in which both these floorings are very close is installation. They don’t require any previous experience so just about anyone can put them down. However, vinyl flooring is easier to install since you get it for a relatively low price and it comes in rolls so you can unroll it over any type of surface while with laminate each piece can potentially be laid separately and there’s also the need to use additional underlayment for moisture protection and sound reduction. Keep all that in mind when choosing between these two types of floorings because if your home doesn’t have any special requirements then cheap laminates may work great.
Vinyl vs Laminate
Vinyl flooring is more expensive than laminate, but it also offers better durability. It’s the perfect choice for homes with kids or pets because it’s very durable even though it scratches easily. However, if the scratched area is near a doorway then you might notice that air may be able to transfer through that space which you won’t have to worry about with laminates since they’re completely waterproof.
Laminate Flooring vs Vinyl Flooring
Laminate flooring is less expensive than luxury vinyl flooring but it offers better moisture protection. It’s not completely waterproof, so laminate can’t be used outdoors. However, it has a great aesthetic appeal that may make your home look beautiful and modern. If you have kids or pets then this might not be the best choice for you since both of those groups are known to cause many scratches on floors as they run around during playtime.
Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring
When it comes to flooring with aesthetic appeal, luxury vinyl planks are the perfect choice because they can be printed with incredibly realistic designs. Laminate floorings are preferred by most homeowners because they’re scratch-resistant and waterproof, but it’s hard to compete with luxury vinyl flooring in this category.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring
Laminate is not the most luxurious type of flooring out there, but it’s tough and durable so if you’re looking for something that may last a long time without any kind of problem then you could definitely consider this option. Luxury vinyl comes in an incredibly large variety of styles and designs, but it might be a little too expensive to use as the main flooring solution at your home.
Both types of floorings are very easy to clean, however, luxury vinyl gets dirty easily which means that stains can sometimes be hard to remove because they sink into the material. Laminate doesn’t suffer from those kinds of problems since dirt and liquids simply slide off its surface without penetrating the material.
Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring Durability
The durability of luxury vinyl and laminate flooring is something that depends on the quality of each product. Flooring vinyl planks can last as much as thirty years without any type of problem, however, if you do end up with a cheap version then it might start showing signs of wear and tear after just a few months. Laminate flooring is a lot more durable, however, it’s also sometimes more expensive so if you’re on a budget then vinyl might be the way to go.
Both of these types of floorings are easy to clean and they offer good protection from allergens. Vinyl doesn’t absorb dust which means that it can sometimes gather static electricity but laminate doesn’t have this problem since it’s completely waterproof and dirt simply slides off its surface.
Resale Value
If you plan on selling your home any time soon then it’s important to consider the resale value of both luxury vinyl flooring and laminate flooring. Vinyl flooring is more expensive than laminate, but it offers better durability which means that it can get a higher price at the market. Both vinyl and laminate flooring have good resale value.
Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring, Which to Choose?
Which type of flooring could you choose if you’re having trouble deciding between these two types? If you have kids or pets then the choice may most likely be easy since both of those groups are known for causing scratches all over the house. If there are no children or pets in your home, however, then you might want to opt for something cheaper depending on how much money you have available since some types of laminates offer good durability and can get a higher price at the market.
Choosing between luxury vinyl flooring and laminate flooring comes down to preference, however, it’s very important that you consider all of your options before making a purchase since both of these types of flooring may determine how resistant your home is and how it looks like.
Laminate vs Vinyl: Conclusion
Those who are looking for something durable could go with laminate flooring because it won’t break or scratch easily and if you have kids or pets in your household then this might be the best choice for you. Laminates are not completely waterproof so they shouldn’t be used in bathrooms or any other place where water may be present.
If you’re tight on budget but still want something that looks nice then luxury vinyl flooring might be the way to go because it’s a lot cheaper and comes in a large variety of designs. Luxury vinyl flooring is not as durable as flooring laminate, but you could be able to get a few years out of luxury vinyl flooring without any problems which mean that you may also save money on repairs and replacements. Both products come with their benefits and downsides so if you want to choose wisely then do your research before making a final decision.
