Both laminate and vinyl plank flooring are affordable, customizable, and durable flooring options. They are also equally easy to install, and they even look similar. However, if you are choosing between them too and cannot make your choice, you should know about their key differences.
What Is Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most popular flooring options in both residential and commercial projects. It is a synthetic material that is made of several layers. This flooring option is typically known for its durability, but vinyl is softer than other flooring materials, including hardwood, tiles, and laminate. Also, compared to laminate, vinyl flooring can offer more variety in design – it can resemble ceramic, wooden, and stone floors
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
Like any other type of flooring, it has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- It is durable and is good for heavy foot traffic
- It feels soft and comfortable
- It reduces noise
- It is more affordable than other flooring options
- It offers a variety of patterns and colors that can match any decor and interior
- It is easy to install
- It is made of waterproof materials
Cons:
- It is not good for heavy loads and can easily be damaged by sharp objects
- It is not resistible enough to extreme temperatures, so you should not choose it for outdoor spaces
- It should not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise, the colors may fade
- It can be hard to remove
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring was created in the 1970s and became one of the first man-made alternatives to hardwood floors. You should opt for laminate flooring if you want your floor to look like wood, but you do not want to spend a lot of money. Just like vinyl, laminate is made of synthetic materials and resembles the natural look of real wood. A laminate floor is quite hard and thick – its thickness is from 6 mm to 12 mm.
Pros and Cons of Laminate flooring
The advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring that you should consider include:
Pros:
- It is extremely durable and can last for decades
- It is more scratch-resistant than other types of flooring
- It is easy to clean and maintain
- It is an affordable option that cost much less than other flooring options of the same quality
- It feels comfortable on feet
Cons:
- Some types of laminate may be difficult to install
- It is susceptible to moisture damage
- It is not natural, so if you are interested in flooring made with natural elements, laminate is not your choice
- It may contain some dangerous chemical compounds
- It is noisy and produces unwanted sounds
Choosing Between Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
If you are choosing between these two flooring options, here is what you need to consider:
Design and Appearance
When it comes to design and appearance, laminate looks more realistic, and its appearance is closer to real wood. The main reason for that is the materials laminate and vinyl are made of. Vinyl is made of a combination of synthetic materials, while laminate has some wood byproducts.
Water Resistance
One of the main differences between laminate and vinyl flooring is in the water-resistance of the material. Vinyl flooring is made of 100% water-resistant materials. Vinyl can be immersed in water, dry out, and be used again as normal. The water-resistance of laminate is limited, and it cannot be exposed to water for a long time. For this reason, you should not choose laminate for bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Installation
There is also a difference in installation requirements. Laminate uses a click-and-lock installation. Also, in most cases, laminate flooring is installed as a “floating” floor, which means that it cannot be installed over the existing floor. Vinyl floor has different methods of installation, including the peel-and-stick method, click-and-lock planks, glue down, and others.
Cost
In general, the cost of vinyl and laminate flooring is almost the same. These flooring options are both fairly affordable. However, there are also luxury types of vinyl that can be much more expensive than regular vinyl and laminate.
Durability
Both laminate and vinyl are durable, even though the durability also depends on maintenance and proper care. Vinyl flooring can last up to 20 years in high-traffic areas. However, over time, they can delaminate. Laminate flooring lasts up to 10-25 years if it is not exposed to water too much.
Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Flooring?
If you live in Westford, MA or any other nearby area, and you are looking for a reliable and experienced flooring contractor, S & R Carpet Floors is exactly who you need. We have been serving our clients for over 40 years, and we specialize in different types of flooring, including vinyl, laminate, carpet, hardwood, cork, and many others. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or you need more information.