Laminate and vinyl flooring are two of the most popular types of flooring around, but they both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. So, which one should you choose for your home? Here’s a look at their major differences:
What is vinyl flooring?
Standard vinyl flooring usually consists of four layers of materials. The first, or bottom, layer of these is the backing layer, generally made of cork or foam. It is designed to serve as the underlayment for the vinyl flooring so that you do not have to install another material prior to laying down the vinyl flooring. Additionally, it functions as a cushion to make walking on the floor more comfortable and a sound barrier to keep noise at bay.
What is laminate flooring?
Unlike natural flooring options like wood, stone or cork, laminate flooring is a synthetic material. It’s made up of four different layers—wear, décor, core and backer—that are sealed together in the lamination process. It is intentionally designed to be durable as well as affordable. Because of the décor layer (a printed image), it can recreate the look of more expensive flooring types like wood, tile or stone. Source: Forbes
Water resistance
The major difference between laminate and vinyl flooring is water resistance, with vinyl as the big winner here. Most modern vinyl floors are made of 100% polymer materials, which means they can withstand heavy amounts of water. It can be immersed in water, dried out, and reused as normal. Also, vinyl sheets allow you to install a single sheet for a whole room, which means no seams for water to seep through.
Laminate has limited moisture resistance. There’s a fiberboard core in most products, which can swell or soften if it’s exposed to moisture for a prolonged amount of time. This waterlogged center can eventually cause the top layers to peel away. So, laminate may not be an ideal option for rooms where high moisture is prevalent, like family bathrooms or laundry rooms. Source: ThisOldHouse
Appearance
No matter your budget, you’re likely striving to achieve the best possible finished look. Both laminate and vinyl can visually mimic any type of wood, tile, or stone. You can choose a look right down to the wood species and match your floors with any decor style or color palette.
Both types of flooring also offer realistic three-dimensional embossing to mimic natural wood grain textures and stylistic choices, such as hand-scraping, distressed wood, and more. These textures look and feel best on thicker planks, giving laminate the edge unless you choose a vinyl product with a thicker core. Source: Angi
Cost
Laminate is sometimes found at lower prices compared to vinyl. This depends on what type of style and features you’re looking for. With vinyl vs laminate, the price is relatively comparable. Both are considered to be two of the most budget-friendly flooring options. Source: BuildDirect
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