Vinyl flooring and laminate flooring offer many advantages: durability, good looks, economy, and easy do-it-yourself installation. From a distance, both types of flooring even look similar.
In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the similarities and differences between laminate and vinyl flooring to help you make the best choice for your next flooring project.
What is Vinyl Flooring
Standard vinyl flooring usually consists of four layers of materials. The first or bottom layer of these is the backing layer, generally made of cork or foam. It serves as the underlayment for the flooring, meaning you won’t need anything else to start laying the floor. It also functions as a cushion to make walking on the floor more comfortable and a sound barrier to keep noise at bay.
Its solid vinyl core is topped with a printed vinyl layer and a wear layer, enhancing the floor’s moisture resistance.
What is Laminate Flooring?
First manufactured in the 1970s, laminate flooring was one of the first artificial alternatives to hardwood floors. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners who like the appearance of hardwood floors but don’t want to spend a large amount of money on flooring materials. In addition, its thick composition makes walking comfortable and works well in living areas and hallways.
Laminate has several layers: a backer, an inner core board, a decorative photo image that helps it achieve its authentic hardwood look, and a wear layer or “overlay” to protect your floors. Laminate can also recreate the look of tile or stone.
Waterproof Flooring
One of the main areas of your home, the kitchen, is where we cook, gather, and make memories. So the flooring here must be durable to survive frequent drops and spills, water-resistant, so those spills do not easily damage it, and easy to clean because cooking can get messy.
The significant difference between laminate and vinyl flooring is water resistance. Made of 100 percent waterproof materials, vinyl flooring is an excellent option for basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms. Vinyl flooring can be immersed in water, dried out, and reused with no issues. Also, vinyl sheets allow you to install a single sheet for a whole room, which means no seams for water to seep through.
Laminate products include a fiberboard core. When exposed to water for long periods, this core will soak up the water, and that can damage the top layers. Even after drying thoroughly, the damage will remain. You’ll also need a vapor barrier installed over concrete to help keep moisture vapor from entering the floor.
Flooring Colors, Patterns, and Designs
There are many flooring options today. Both laminate and vinyl come in many colors, patterns, and designs – you can convey the rustic look with a light wood pattern or an elegant feel with a darker stone vibe. You can match existing decor or make a statement to create a lasting impression. Flooring will be the foundation of your design and can easily make your space.
Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring
Homeowners can choose from many types of vinyl flooring, like sheets, planks, or tiles. Today’s vinyl offers a variety of styles and patterns and can mimic the look of wood, stone, and ceramic floors.
Regarding appearance and style, laminate flooring is a bit higher quality. Its thick top layer allows for deep, realistic three-dimensional embossing on its surfaces, with accurate images of natural materials like stone and wood.
Flooring Cost and Installation
Flooring is an investment as it covers so much space in your home. The type of flooring you get and how much it will affect your final cost, but other factors, such as whether the existing floor needs to be removed or a damaged subfloor needs to be replaced, can also increase the price. However, options are available for every budget, and you can save money by installing the flooring yourself.
Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring
Both laminate and vinyl flooring are easy to install and great options for DIYers.
Laminate flooring uses a click-and-lock installation. These “floating” floors can be installed over your existing flooring, and you can use a regular table saw to cut down pieces to fit.
Vinyl also offers click-and-lock planks, as well as peel-and-stick tiles, and even glue-down options. In addition, vinyl flooring is easily cut by scoring it with a utility knife and snapping it off.
Vinyl floors range from $0.60 to $4 per square foot. Sheet vinyl can be as cheap as $0.50 to $2 per square foot but will likely require professional installation.
Laminate ranges in price from $0.50 to $3 per square foot; name-brand flooring can be as high as $8 per square foot.
Flooring Durability
Durability is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing new flooring, as it takes a beating with daily wear and tear. When looking at flooring and determining durability, you should review factors such as impact resistance, humidity, finish, and maintenance. In addition, you will want to ensure your flooring can handle the normal wear and tear it will receive daily.
In spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms, and basements, be sure to use floors that won’t warp because of water and humidity. Pay attention to the finish. If it stains easily, it might not be the best bet for your kitchen. Finally, you’ll want to review if particular cleaning methods affect performance and how that fits into your budget and lifestyle.
Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring, also known as resilient flooring, is very durable. You can install vinyl flooring in any room of the house, including high-traffic areas, basements, and bathrooms. In addition, because seams are a significant factor contributing to flooring deterioration, sheet vinyl is an excellent option for small rooms and areas like hallways and kitchens.
Vinyl flooring is extremely easy to maintain, with both water-resistant and spill-resistant qualities. Also, many products feature thicker wear layers and protective coatings that boost stain and scratch resistance and offer UV resistance.
Laminate flooring is also very durable and can last up to 10-25 years with proper care and maintenance. It’s an excellent option for busy households and perfect for bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, and laundry rooms. In addition, laminate’s plastic topcoat is highly resistant to scratches and dents and mainly resistant to sunlight and fading
Contact Us
Vinyl flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent option for bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens. LX Hausys offers durable, affordable, water-resistant vinyl flooring in various colors and patterns. Check out its HFLOR luxury vinyl flooring brand.
Let’s talk about your next project. LX Hausys flooring experts can help you choose the best flooring for your design. Use our contact form for a prompt reply from one of our knowledgeable flooring professionals.