What Is Better Laminate Or Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Vinyl Tiles for home interior designs and house renovation

Deciding on which flooring to have in your home is not something to be taken lightly. For many homeowners, the choice is going to come down to laminate or vinyl. Which is better?

Vinyl flooring is slightly more durable than vinyl plank flooring. It offers more than just durability, it is also beautiful and can be put in the home on a budget. Most homes will benefit from vinyl plank flooring, although some may choose laminate because it is slightly more authentic looking.

There are so many things to consider when choosing between laminate and vinyl plank flooring. You might be surprised to learn that the two different types of flooring are so similar to each other in almost every category.

Of course, there are going to be reasons why you would ultimately choose one over the other. These could include if you have pets or children in the home or if you are installing it in a room where moisture may be a problem, such as a basement or a bathroom.

In this article, we will take a look at some of those differences, as well as the similarities that are seen with these two different floor types. In the end, you will be able to choose the floor that is best for your needs.

What Is Better Laminate Or Vinyl Plank Flooring?

When comparing laminate and vinyl plank flooring, you might consider it somewhat like comparing apples and oranges. In reality, it is more like comparing one type of apple with another type of apple.

It is also important to recognize that you have different options available, regardless of which type of flooring you happen to choose. This is especially true when it comes to the quality of the floor and the associated price.

If you purchase a low-end plank floor, you are going to eventually regret it. The floor may look nice for a while but a higher-end floor will last a lot longer. That is why it is so important to consider your budget.

In some cases, you might spend as much on a laminate or vinyl floor as you would on the floor that it is made to mimic. That being said, budget is important to consider but it is not the only thing to consider.

Here are a few other things to look into when comparing vinyl with laminate:

Quality: Both laminate and vinyl plank floors offer a wide range of options when it comes to the quality of the flooring. This is often represented in the price you will pay per square foot.

You will be happy with either of the options when it comes to the final product. Laminate has a slight edge on vinyl when it comes to the finished look, simply because it tends to have a smoother finish.

Waterproof: Interestingly, both of the floor types are considered waterproof because they have a water resistant surface. It is what is under the surface, however, that makes a difference.

Both vinyl and laminate are multi-layered products. The big difference is that vinyl is waterproof from the bottom to the top. Laminate, on the other hand, has a pressed-board interior that will be ruined if it gets wet.

That is why vinyl tends to be a much better choice for areas of the home with higher potential moisture content. Vinyl is also a good choice if you have pets or kids because accidents happen.

Installation: The installation of vinyl and laminate planks are similar. They both snap together in a tongue and groove fashion and both types of floor can be a floating floor.

It may also be possible that laminate planks are glued to the subfloor. This isn’t always the best option but regardless, it is an option to consider.

Both vinyl and laminate planks are easy to install but laminate must be cut with a saw. It is possible to cut vinyl with a knife and snap it as the line. That makes vinyl easier to install just because you have less mess during the process.

Maintenance: Both vinyl and laminate tend to be easy to maintain but vinyl is much more durable during the maintenance process. That is why you can find vinyl in an industrial or commercial setting but you do not typically find laminate in those locations.

Mopping the floor is really where the difference is seen. You can mop a vinyl floor without being concerned about damaging it. If you mop a laminate floor, you run the risk of soaking the interior layer of pressed wood and ruining the floor.

These are just some of the things to consider. Now we will take a look at some of the specific reasons why you would choose one or the other depending on your personal circumstances.

Is Luxury Vinyl Plank More Expensive Than Laminate?

If you are considering stepping up to a luxury floor, that doesn’t mean you throw your budget out of the window. Will you spend more for luxury vinyl plank?

Both vinyl plank and laminate are comparable in price but if you step up to a luxury floor, you will spend more on vinyl planking. This is due to the manufacturing process and materials used in vinyl flooring bumping the price higher. Both can offer you a quality finished product but you will spend more on vinyl.

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing any luxury flooring is the level of what you are getting. With both laminate and vinyl, you are getting a high-quality floor that should last for decades if you care for it properly.

One difference to consider is the material that is in the flooring. Although the material is going to be the same in a standard vinyl floor and a luxury floor, you are getting a higher grade vinyl when you spend more money.

That is why it is a good idea to see if you can fit it into your budget. If you can, you will benefit because the higher-end vinyl is a much better option.

Which Is Easier To Install Laminate Or Vinyl Plank Flooring?

One thing to consider when you are choosing a floor is how easy it is to install. Both vinyl and laminate plank flooring offers options.

Laminate and vinyl plank flooring are both easy to install and the process is very similar for a tongue and groove installation of a floating floor. If you are using a glue-down vinyl flooring, they it is going to add to the process.

One thing that most people don’t consider when choosing their floor is how they are going to work with it. In the case of vinyl plank flooring, you will be able to install it without the use of a saw.

Vinyl plank flooring can be cut with a knife. You can score it and then break the tile along the scored line. Of course, this will be done at the edge of the room and never at a seam that is visible.

Laminate plank flooring, on the other hand must be cut with a saw. In that way, laminate flooring is much more difficult to install. It is also a lot messier because of the sawdust and the fact that you will be walking to and from the saw, which must be set up in a different location.

Which Is More Waterproof Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

One important aspect of any floor is the ability to get it wet. This isn’t only something to consider when you are washing the floor, you need to keep it in mind when living on it.

Vinyl plank flooring is more waterproof than laminate because all of the layers of material used in the floor are waterproof. Laminate flooring is also made up of multiple layers but on the inside, it is made from pressed wood. If that layer of the flooring gets wet, it is going to ruin the board.

When you see this type of flooring in a commercial setting, it is almost always going to be vinyl. The reason why that is the case is simple; because it is able to stand up to more water.

Since the floor is going to be mopped on a regular basis, you need to ensure that you are not ruining the floor in the process. In the case of laminate floor, any water that gets down into the seams is likely to cause the interior wood to swell and ruin the plank.

Which Is More Durable Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

Is there a more durable option when you compare laminate and vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl flooring will likely outlive any laminate flooring you put in place. In some cases, a quality vinyl floor might last for decades and it will likely go out of style before it wears out. Laminate plank flooring can also last for decades but you have to be cautious not to damage it.

When you directly compare vinyl and laminate planks, you will find that they look very similar to each other. The real difference is found in how they stand up to everyday use.

Laminate flooring is more likely to chip and scratch when compared to vinyl. That is why vinyl is recommended for homes with small children or pets.

On the other hand, vinyl flooring is much easier to dent or tear than laminate. Those issues can look just as bad, but when it comes to durability, vinyl is a clear winner.

Is Vinyl Plank Or Laminate More Scratch Resistant?

Do you have kids or pets in the home? You might be worried about scratches.

Both laminate and vinyl planks offer a degree of scratch resistance. As long as you are careful in how you live on and maintain the floor, you should be able to avoid that problem. In the event that you do have an accident, the laminate floor will scratch more easily.

Scratching is only one of the problems you might experience with the floor. YOu might also have a problem with denting, and that is more likely to happen with the vinyl.

If the vinyl is glued down, it will be less prone to damage. On the other hand, if it is glued down and gets damaged, it will be harder to pull up and repair.

Which Is Better For Pets Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

Whether we are putting down a floor or doing anything else, we would want to keep our pets in mind. Which is a better choice for flooring with pets, laminate, or vinyl?

Both laminate and vinyl planks have the ability to stand up to pets but vinyl is a much better choice. Not only is vinyl waterproof compared to laminate, but it is also a lot softer which makes it much easier on your pet’s paws.

When we have pets, we need to consider the possibility that accidents are going to happen. Unfortunately, they do happen on a regular basis so having a more waterproof option is always going to be welcome.

As we mentioned, the fact that vinyl is a lot softer compared to laminate is also a benefit. Since your pet is going to be walking around barefoot at all times, having a softer floor is going to be much more comfortable for them. They will also have better traction.

Vinyl is the definite better choice when it comes to pets.

Which Is Better For Kids Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

When you have kids in the house you want to have a floor that is good for you and good for them. Should you choose laminate or vinyl plank?

Since vinyl plank is more durable and waterproof compared to laminate, it is a better choice for children. That being said, if you have older children that are not overly rambunctious, you can always opt for laminate because they will be living on it without running the risk of damaging it.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 21, 2022.

Of course, it really doesn’t matter how well behaved the children are, there are going to be accidents that occur from time to time. Some of those accidents can involve liquid, and that is why vinyl is a better choice.

Anything that is spilled on a vinyl floor and not cleaned up immediately is not going to ruin the floor. On the other hand, something wet on a laminate floor will likely ruin the planks by causing them to swell.

What Is Better When It’s Hot Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

When the weather gets hot outside, it’s nice to have something under your feet that can stand up to the temperature. Should you choose laminate or vinyl for that reason?

Vinyl plank flooring is always going to be a better choice for hot weather than laminate for multiple reasons. First of all, vinyl plank flooring is able to stand up to the heat without swelling as much as a laminate floor. Secondly, since hot weather is often water weather, then any type of water sports are not likely to damage the floor when you come in with wet feet and wet towels.

Another reason to choose vinyl plank flooring is that it is heat resistant. Both laminate and vinyl tile can stand up to the heat, but vinyl does a much better job of staying intact.

That is why vinyl plank is often considered for rooms with radiant heat.

What Is Better When It’s Cold Laminate Or Vinyl Plank

Do you live in a cold-weather climate? Should you choose vinyl or laminate plank flooring for your home?

Laminate planks are often considered over vinyl for homes in cold weather climates. It has the ability to stand up to the weather but at the same time, it also is more authentic looking in comparison to vinyl. Laminate flooring has the look of natural wood and the insulation aspect is also something to consider.

In many cases, you will have some type of padding underneath a laminate plank floor. Vinyl plank, on the other hand, is usually put on the subfloor, and sometimes, it is even glued down.

Since you have that extra padding under the laminate plank, it is softer on the feet and the padding will also add a layer of insulation.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 21, 2022.

We want to make sure that our feet are comfortable in the colder weather. Vinyl tile will do a nice job in standing up to the day-to-day wear and tear but laminate is going to make your house feel more like a home.

What Is Easier To Maintain Laminate Or Vinyl Plank?

One other aspect to consider when choosing a floor is the ability to maintain it. Is vinyl or laminate plank better for maintenance?

A vinyl plank floor is much easier to maintain than laminate. Both of them can be dusted on occasion but when it needs to be washed, it is much easier to run a mop over a vinyl plank floor than to cautiously wash a laminate floor out of fear of damaging it.

The surface of both types of floors is waterproof. It is in the lower layers, however, that the difference is really seen.

Laminate flooring has pressed wood in the middle but vinyl is vinyl, through and through. Since vinyl is a waterproof material, you can mop it with a wet mop. Laminate will swell and you can ruin it if you get it wet.

Both laminate and vinyl floors offer similar benefits when it comes to price, durability, and ease of installation. In most cases, however, vinyl floor is going to offer more in almost all of those categories. The only reason why laminate would be better than vinyl is that it is more authentic looking when it comes to what it is imitating.