For those factors, vinyl takes the cake.īoth vinyl and laminate are sharks at dodging stains. It can easily withstand high-traffic areas in the home, and it has a lifespan of up to 20 years. Vinyl is typically an extremely durable material that’s referred to as resilient flooring in the industry. However, if you’re prepared to give your floors some extra TLC, laminate planks can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. Plus, once the top layer of this material is scratched, it can’t be removed or replaced. ICYMI: Laminate is not waterproof, and unless you have cat-like reflexes when it comes to cleaning spills, you’ll run the risk of permanently damaging your floors. It’s best to hire a professional installer if you’re going with the latter. Vinyl is more cumbersome and harder to cut precisely. Its planks can be cut with a standard saw, and it’s relatively light. If you’re a DIYer, laminate is your go-to. While some vinyl floors can be glued down, most prefer to use floating planks. Basically, this means that the planks or tiles simply “float” over the subfloor (as opposed to being glued or nailed down). Most often, vinyl and laminate floors will use a floating installation method. It can be wet-mopped or deeply scrubbed (with the right cleaning products), and you’ll never have to worry about its layers peeling away. Yet, one of the most attractive qualities of vinyl is that it’s beyond easy to clean. Most manufacturers recommend using dry cleaning methods, like a broom or unsoaked mop, to avoid damaging its inner core. The care and cleaning process for laminate flooring is somewhat delicate, given its hypersensitivity to moisture. Both laminate and vinyl floors can be placed over radiant heat systems, but vinyl is the clear winner when it comes to moisture resistance. Furthermore, the design layer tends to peel away once the core becomes waterlogged.Īs we mentioned before, vinyl uses synthetic materials that make it 100 percent waterproof. When its inner core is exposed to moisture for extended periods, it swells and softens (and never reverts to its original size). While laminate floors can aptly feign real hardwood, they’re not at all water resistant. However, the latest LVP options expertly mirror the appearance of real wood you’ll just pay more for it. Historically, laminate floors have been regarded as higher-quality options with more intricately embossed design layers. So, in terms of laminate versus standard vinyl, laminate is a clear winner. The planks retain the same materials and composition as standard vinyl, but they have multiple wear layers to add thickness and shine for a more realistic appearance. LVP, on the other hand, is intentionally crafted to simulate the appearance of hardwood floors. While there are some wood-inspired options available, they’re often very thin, and the “cracks” between each tile can look synthetic or manufactured. Traditionally, standard vinyl sheets or tiles are intended to imitate the appearance of ceramic and stone. But before we can even get into the laminate versus vinyl debate, we have to explain the difference between LVP and standard vinyl tiles. ft.) WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?īoth laminate and vinyl flooring have a layer of realistic, three-dimensional embossing that’s meant to mimic the appearance of real hardwood floors. It’s also worth mentioning that LVP can cost up to $14 per square foot when installed. However, the prices will vary depending on installation and each plank’s size, style or thickness (see below). It’s just as moisture resistant, though it’s a bit sturdier and it has interlocking edges like laminate.īoth laminate and vinyl materials will typically fare anywhere from $1 to $5 per square foot. In recent years, a riff on vinyl, known as luxury vinyl plank (or LVP), has been growing in popularity. Their design layer is finished with multiple coatings of no-wax polyurethane, making it 100 percent waterproof. All vinyl sheets, planks and tiles are created with a fiberglass base layer that’s coated with PVC vinyl and a plasticizer. Vinyl floors are composed of 100-percent synthetic materials.
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