Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: What’s the Difference
— by Peter Hunt Expert in Flooring Installation
Peter Hunt
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Flooring Expert over 7 years in Business
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The main distinction between laminate and vinyl flooring is the materials used in their construction. A wood fiberboard core is one of the layers that are bonded together to create laminate flooring. Although it can also be found in multiple layers, vinyl flooring is only made of synthetic materials.
Vinyl is a 100% synthetic flooring material made mostly of polyvinyl chloride plastic, typically found in kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl flooring has multiple layers, such as the wear layer, printed or decorative layer, an inner core that consists of a foam and vinyl layer, and a backing.
The types of vinyl flooring are luxury vinyl plank flooring, luxury vinyl tile, wood plastic composite, stone plastic composite, and sheet vinyl. Vinyl mimics the look and feel of ceramic, stone, or real wood, but its synthetic materials are more affordable. Depending on what fits your space and design scheme best, you can cut vinyl into planks, sheets, or tiles.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a multilayer synthetic alternative to natural wood floor options and can also mimic the look of stone and tiles. According to HomeDepot.com inventory, laminate planks are between 6 and 12 millimeters (mm) thick, and thicker boards are more impact-resistant and easier to install. Laminate offers a more cushioned feel than vinyl and is best in high-traffic areas, such as living rooms and hallways.
However, if the existing ceramic tile floor isn’t flat and smooth, or if it has a tile that is out of level or has a protruding corner, your laminate flooring will make you feel like you’re walking in a funhouse!
In that case, you can either opt to tear out all the tile and start from scratch or use a leveling compound on top of the tile floor to even it out prior to installing the laminate.
Good luck with your project,
There are two main options to choose from when looking for affordable, long-lasting, or visually appealing flooring that is simple to install: vinyl and laminate. They cost around the same, are equally simple to install, and have similar aesthetic appeal. The name appears to be the only distinction to the untrained eye.
Is there a difference, then? Indeed. Although laminate and vinyl appear to be identical at first glance, there are a few important distinctions, including as moisture resistance, durability, and upkeep, that will significantly affect your choice. Continue reading to find out the key distinctions between vinyl and laminate flooring as well as some benefits and drawbacks that will assist you in selecting between these two flooring solutions.
Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Major Differences
Although vinyl and laminate are comparable, they are also very different from one another. Here are some straight comparisons to assist you in choosing the best option for your house.
Appearance
Although vinyl and laminate flooring can both imitate the look of stone, tile, or wood, laminate flooring is frequently of a higher caliber. Additionally, laminate is typically thicker than vinyl—between 6 and 12 mm, compared to 5 mm for vinyl. Although vinyl sheets are embossed with graphics by manufacturers, laminate finishes often come with a resin seal.
Care and cleaning
Both vinyl and laminate floors are low maintenance and easy to maintain. Vacuuming or sweeping vinyl flooring frequently is advised by the World Floor Covering Association. Use the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning products or mop the floor with warm, clean water if that doesn’t get rid of the filth. Steer clear of utilizing mop and shine solutions, abrasive cleaners, or detergents as these can harm your flooring.
To get rid of dirt and grime, vacuum, clean, dust, or sweep laminate flooring frequently. Laminate floors can be mopped with a wet mop, but be sure to wipe the floor dry and don’t use too much water. In order to prevent moisture and filth from tracking across your flooring and harming the laminate, use doormats in your mudroom and at entryways.
Cost – Vinyl and laminate flooring are both cost-effective alternatives to wood or tile, but vinyl is the less expensive option between the two. Vinyl can cost between $1 and $5 per square foot, while luxury vinyl flooring can cost between $7 and $12 per square foot.* Variables such as scratch-resistant coatings and a material’s thickness will change the price of any flooring.
Laminate and vinyl flooring have the potential to be durable and low-maintenance. While thicker inlaid vinyl is quite durable—even in high-traffic areas—printed vinyl flooring is among the least durable options. Although laminate is stain- and scratch-resistant, it can fade in direct sunlight, is prone to water damage, and cannot be refinished.
Installation – You can install both vinyl and laminates over most existing flooring or subflooring. Homeowners can install vinyl with a number of different techniques, such as stick-on vinyl, glued-down vinyl, interlocking vinyl, and grouted vinyl. Laminate typically employs click-and-lock installation, and you can install laminate over radiant heating systems.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors states that the amount of foot activity on your floors and how well you maintain them will determine how long your floors last. Laminate flooring has a 15–25 year lifespan, however vinyl flooring only lasts about 25 years.
Reselling
A home’s resale value isn’t significantly increased by vinyl or laminate flooring because most purchasers find real hardwood flooring to be more appealing. However, if you’re replacing old flooring with new flooring and tearing out old laminate or vinyl, you probably will get a larger return on investment.
Water-Resistant
Vinyl flooring is usually used in kitchens and bathrooms by homeowners because it is more water-resistant than laminate flooring. Remember that if moisture gets into the spaces between the flooring, either one of them may enlarge and warp
Durability and Maintenance
What Is a Floating Floor?
A floating floor is a piece of art where tiles and boards fit together like jigsaw pieces. Floating floors include several flooring layers, including a top layer and a protective base layer, and they are supported by a subfloor. Floating floors include luxury vinyl planks and most laminate floors.
Differences Between Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
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