vinyl or laminate

Looking for a hardwood alternative that both looks good AND inexpensive? Vinyl or laminate flooring is a great choice. Both flooring materials are frequently confused with each other. Still, luxury vinyl or laminate flooring has some important differences that you should know before making your decision.

Luxury Vinyl

Laminate

What is it?
  • Luxury vinyl, which is not to be confused with sheet vinyl, is a newer innovation that is very different from the plastic-like tiles you see in older homes. It is made of several layers of resilient polyvinyl chloride (PVC), while the top layer is coated with urethane. Luxury vinyl comes in two forms:
  • LVP - Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)– These lengthy planks can impersonate traditional hardwood floors. They can be glued down, snap together or floating. LVP can also be textured or smooth to simulate different types of materials.
  • LVT - Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)– These attractive tiles come in a greater variety of lengths and widths compared to LVP. It is great for imitating concrete, granite and stone. They can be made into wood-like tiles and rectangles as well. LVT can be floating, peel and stick, glued or snapped together for easy installation.
  • Laminate is made of 99% wood byproducts. It is also called composite, Pergo (a specific brand of flooring), or floating wood tile. It is made of quite a few layers of rigid, high-density fiberboard laminated collectively into planks. The graphic image under the resin layer depicts the material you want, usually wood or stone. It frequently floats, meaning it can snap and click over an existent floor without being glued or nailed down. However, it can also be glued to a subfloor.

Appearance
  • The photographic layer can portray many materials to suit your room's interior design.
  • Advances in fabrication allow more detailed textures besides just smooth and shiny, departing from its "plastic" look of yesteryear.
  • Manufacturing techniques have advanced for this material and allow more textures besides a smooth laminated top layer.

Cost
  • Low: $2 per sq ft
  • Mid: $5 per sq ft
  • High: $7 per sq ft
  • Add an extra $3-$10 per sq ft for installation
  • Low: $1 per sq ft
  • Mid: $2.50-$4 per sq ft
  • High: $5 per sq ft
  • Add an extra $3-$10 per sq ft for installation

Care
  • This material is smooth and 100% waterproof, making spills easy to clean and dust has nowhere to hide.
  • Cleaning requires a light vacuum, consistent sweeping, and the occasional deep clean with cleaners that can cost around $20 per gallon.
  • Since it is smooth on the surface, spills are easy to clean and will not easily trap dust and dirt.
  • Easy cleanup and requires routine vacuuming, sweeping and a little TLC with laminate-specific cleaners.
  • Typical cleaning products cost around $20 per gallon or $8 for a 32-oz. spray bottle.

Pets
  • House training puppies or kittens are not as stressful since LVP is 100% waterproof.
  • Scratch-resistant surfaces so pet's nail damage is not something to be concerned about.
  • Pet dander and hair can be swept or vacuumed away easily.
  • When correctly installed, the top layer can be water and scratch-resistant.
  • Pet hair and dander are easily cleaned off its smooth surface.

Installation
  • Floating floors: Vinyl can be installed over an existing floor without needing glue or nails. An underlayment can help keep this floor warmer in cold weather, along with reducing noise. Seams are tight and sturdy with the click-and-lock feature.
  • Peel and stick tiles: LVT can attach right onto a smooth level surface.
  • Glue-able: You can install LVT or LVP over a subfloor and secure them with glue.
  • Floating floors: Snap and click laminate over an existent floor without the need of being nailed or glued down. The use of a foam underlayment, which can come already attached to the product, will add noise control and insulation. However, laminate will require a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from getting into its fiberboards.
  • Peel and stick tiles: Laminate can come in tiles that attach right to a smooth surface.
  • Glue-able: Laminate can be installed over a subfloor and secures with glue.

Durability
  • 15+ year warranty is usually included.
  • Applying layers of urethane will reinforce the wear layer upon installation and can therefore extend its life.
  • A quality laminate can last up to 20 years, where others typically last about a decade.
  • Its original wear layer is usually its only line of defense since laminate generally does not take on extra varnishes or protective coatings.

Waterproof
  • 100% plastic signifies that it is waterproof.
  • It can even be immersed and still be usable.
  • Though it is relatively water-resistant from the top, its layers underneath are made of fiberboard, giving it the ability to absorb water if there is any flooding.

Repair & Maintenance
  • Prospers with routine sweeping and manufacturer's cleaning products.
  • The top layer should not be subjected to standing water. In addition, impacts that are extreme can shorten its life.
  • The wear layer cannot be refinished and consequently must be replaced if necessary.
  • Holds up years with regular sweeping in addition to manufacturer's cleaners.
  • Laminate is not a good candidate for being sanded down and refinished. As a result, whole planks or tiles must be removed and replaced if it develops several nicks and deep scratches.

Environmentally Friendly
  • LVP and LVT release little to no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
  • There is less turnover and replacement waste since it lasts for many years.
  • Though its plastic (PVC) is recyclable, few facilities can safely recycle its type of plastic (#3).
  • A majority of these products are recyclable because it is primarily made of wood.
  • Some manufacturers make these floors from recycled materials.
  • This material is known to give off VOCs, particularly when the manufacturing is of lower quality.

Radiant Heating
  • LVP and LVT are exceptional at conducting heat, especially when paired with a self-leveling underlayment to promote conductivity. However, check with the manufacturer to see if the floor is compatible with the system first.
  • Conducts radiant heating well, especially when floating. To be sure, check with the manufacturer.

Resale Value
  • This material has been making much headway in recent years, but its past stigma still haunts it.
  • There is a chance you can raise your home's value if you pick a good quality floor. On the contrary, lower-quality luxury vinyl can possibly hurt your home's value.
  • This material also does not always appraise well.
  • High-quality versions can somewhat increase your property's value. However, cheaper versions can negatively affect it.

Top Brands
  • Choose a manufacturer that matches the quality of floor desired and suits your budget. The selection of luxury vinyl is broad, however, the quality fluctuating among manufacturers.
  • When you shop for laminate floors, research some key features like their quality, reputation, and warranty.

So, which is best - vinyl or laminate flooring? Though they are similar in appearance, radiant heating, and installation, luxury vinyl has a slight edge over laminate. However, both vinyl or laminate flooring materials are excellent choices for anyone looking for an affordable floor made to handle high traffic and the messes of life.