What’s the difference between vinyl and laminate flooring? Choosing laminate vs vinyl flooring depends on your style preferences as well as the functionality of the space. Here, we explore the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring to help you make the right choice for your home.
Related article: LVP vs Laminate
What Are Laminate Floorings?
Laminate flooring refers to a synthetic floor made of a particleboard wood base and melamine resin. It mimics natural wood and offers high durability, aesthetic value, and comfort.
In addition to a natural-wood look, laminate flooring offers styles that resemble stone, ceramic, and porcelain tile. These also come in a variety of finishes.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Flooring
Pros
- Wide variety of styles and finishes
- Excellent for living rooms and bedrooms
- Realistic wood look
- Warm, soft, and comfortable
Cons
- Costly to install
- Not as durable
- Not waterproof
What Are Vinyl Floorings?
Vinyl flooring consists of PVC material layers that form a durable and functional floor. They come in three types.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
- Rigid Core: Vinyl engineered with rigid core construction for stability and durability
- WPC Vinyl: Consists of polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, calcium carbonate, and wood-like materials, ideal for waterproof areas.
- Vinyl Planks: Synthetic multi-layer PVC flooring in planks, suitable for high-traffic hallways and living rooms
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
Pros
- Completely waterproof
- Durable and long-lasting
- Mimics natural materials, e.g., tile, stone, and wood
Cons
- Costly over large areas
- Complex installation
- Heavy
Comparison Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring
When comparing laminate vs vinyl flooring, you need to consider the following factors. These will help you determine what type of floor to install in your home.
- Conduction: Laminate conducts heat better than vinyl
- Cost: Vinyl is more affordable
- Design: Vinyl offers more design choices
- Installation: Vinyl is easier to install
- Maintenance: Vinyl is easier to maintain
- Surface: Laminate is more comfortable than vinyl
- Value Increase: Laminate offers a higher resale value
- Waterproof: Vinyl has better waterproof protection
Which Floor Should I Buy in the End?
When Is Vinyl Flooring the Most Appropriate Choice?
- Ideal for Moist Surfaces: Contains a rigid core and a durable wear layer that is water-resistant.
- Enhanced Stain Resistance: The durable top wear layer on vinyl flooring is highly resistant to staining and scratching.
- Wide Variety of Styles and Finishes: Comes in a wide variety of styles and finishes, including LVT, LVP, and Vinyl sheets.
When Is Laminate Flooring the Most Appropriate Choice?
- Comfort: Because of its thick composition, laminate is very comfortable to walk on.
- For Dry Surfaces: Laminate flooring is not suitable for wet rooms, such as laundries, bathrooms, saunas, and anywhere prone to wet conditions.
- Environment Friendly: This flooring is produced ecologically without pesticides, heavy metals, or organic chlorine compounds
Recommended and Recognized Flooring Contractors—Contact Interior Motives Flooring
We hope that this information has enabled you to grapple with the question of how to tell the difference between vinyl and laminate flooring.
Are you thinking about your options for installing laminate vs vinyl flooring in Auburn? Get in touch with the experts at Interior Motives Flooring. We offer a hassle-free and high-quality service for all your flooring options. Call 253-478-8752 or contact us today for a free written estimate.
