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Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring

Man Installing New Laminate Wood Flooring

Vinyl and laminate flooring are attractive options providing considerable advantages like resistance, durability, ease of installation, and similar prices. You might think there is no difference, but this article will give you the information you don’t know about the vinyl vs. laminate flooring dilemma.

Vinyl flooring is versatile, affordable, and stylish. The material used for its manufacturing is synthetic.

Laminate flooring revamps the aesthetic appearance of your house. Laminate is a cheaper alternative that turns into a popular option.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: The Clear Differences

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: The Clear Differences

When comparing vinyl vs. laminate flooring, they are similar in appearance, but their difference relies on performance and price. You can get the best of vinyl by installing it in high-moisture rooms. But laminate can look stylish while costing less money to install.

Let’s start with what vinyl and laminate flooring are to know the differences.

What Is Vinyl Flooring Made Of?

Wood Pattern Vinyl Plank

The primary components of vinyl planks are vinyl resins, plasticizers (high molecular weight solvents), pigments, and a carrier sheet or backing.

The design of vinyl flooring provides a cushion for better walking to have a comfortable underfoot and acts like a sound barrier to keep the noise down.

What Is Laminate Flooring Made Of?

Laminate flooring is manufactured from a thin, pressed wood board with a custom-printed image of wood fused onto a fiberboard core. Like vinyl, laminate is a synthetic material designed to provide durability and reproduce an expensive flooring look, such as the finest hardwood planks, porcelain, or marble tiles.

6 Differences Between Vinyl and Laminate Flooring:

  • The primary discrepancy is their material composition.
  • The resistance to water of vinyl is superior.
  • The cost of luxury vinyl can be much more expensive than laminate.
  • We can consider vinyl a resilient material for any flooring project, but you must remember that their lifespan can be similar if you provide the correct care.
  • Vinyl is your best option when you have pets at home.
  • Vinyl flooring can deteriorate easier than laminate flooring, so more visible damage can appear.

Which One Is Better?

According to this article, there are no better or worst. The answer depends on every function or needs in the home.

Where Is It Better to Use Vinyl Flooring?

  • Laundry Rooms
  • Wet Bathrooms
  • Mudrooms
  • Kitchen



Where Is It Better to Use Laminate Flooring?

  • Dry Areas
  • Living Spaces
  • Conservatories
  • Stairs

Benefits of Vinyl Flooring:

● Vinyl offers a resale value for your property.

Do you like changes? Selling your house can be an option. So, vinyl flooring increases your home value, selling your house faster.

● It takes less time and effort during the installation.

Worker Installing Vinyl Floor over Ceramic Tiles

Vinyl installation does not require staples or glues, and it is easy to apply over hardwood, plywood, concrete, and vinyl over vinyl, too.

● Vinyl flooring installation doesn’t require sanding.

Allergies have never been welcomed by anybody. Happily, vinyl flooring installation doesn’t produce dust. At OJM Painting & Sheetrock Repair LLC, we install vinyl planks safely with a professional and certified team.

● Wide variety of styles.

Do you know the limits? If you are limitless, you can choose vinyl flooring, and you’ll find: wood, marble, stone, decorative tile, and concrete. Add vinyl planks to your house and get the best décor and style.

● Resistant to water.

Install Vinyl Floor in High-Moisture Rooms Like Kitchens

Accidents happen. And, if you have children and pets in your home, your decision must be vinyl. Use this type of floor in high-moisture rooms like kitchens and laundry rooms.

● Easy to clean.

Your dream has come true. You’ll not need to wax, and deep cleaning your vinyl floor is not exhausting. A quick clean will do it. Our only advice is that you don’t install vinyl in high-traffic areas.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring:

● Affordability

Laminate Flooring Is Affordable in Hardware Stores

According to the material composition of laminate planks, the price is not a problem. The most affordable laminate floor costs around $26 per square meter.

● Beautiful appearance

Laminate provides a natural and elegant look that distinguishes

your house.

● Simple maintenance

You do not need to worry about laminate since you can clean it easily and quickly, and it is resistant to water and stains.

● Easy installation

Laminate Flooring Is Easy to Install

Professional flooring contractors can finish the laminate installation in a few hours. It has a system and technology which is easy to install.

● Other Benefits Include:

  1. The plastic used in the composed material of laminate protects colors.
  2. It lasts longer because laminate flooring is stronger and more resistant.

Disadvantages of Vinyl and Laminate Flooring

Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring:

  • You can’t repair vinyl flooring.
  • Shorter lifespan related to hardwood floors.
  • It is not environmentally friendly because vinyl is not easy to recycle.

Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring:

  • Laminate hard surfaces make it an uncomfortable floor for walking on.
  • Not durable because of the material quality.
  • Not eco-friendly due to some dangerous chemical compounds.
  • The last drawback is that laminate produces unwanted sounds while walking over it.

Maintenance and Lifespan of Vinyl and Laminate Flooring

You can easily care for vinyl and laminate flooring. The little maintenance required for vinyl and laminate flooring is advantageous because you can save money. Dry methods for cleaning these floors are best with a vacuum, brush, broom, and dust mop. For deep cleaning, you can use mild detergents.

But wet mopping is the only difference between vinyl and laminate cleaning. You can only use this damp mopping technique for vinyl flooring. And that will be the easiest way to clean your vinyl floors.

The lifespan of vinyl and laminate flooring can last between 15-25 years, sometimes even more. But something important to know is that poorly maintained floors will shrink their lifespans, and they may look good only for 5 to 2 years at the least.

Consider All Aspects to Install the Ideal Floor

Woman Comparing Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring in Hardware Store

The best option will be a personal decision considering: style, textures, cost, moisture resistance, and different room applications. But, as you can notice in this article, the quality of vinyl and laminate will remain similar.

Vinyl flooring certainly is a superior option in high-moisture spaces than laminate. But laminate flooring provides an extensive range of alternatives.

I hope you loved our article. If you found it helpful, share it on your social media. If you need help making a better choice, you can call us, and as a trusted flooring contractor in Foley, AL, we’ll pick the best floor to fit your needs, wants, and budget.