Flooring is an important part of any home, and there are many different types of flooring to choose from. Laminate and vinyl are two of the most popular types of flooring, but what is the difference between them?
According to the report of the FC News, laminate flooring has a market share of over 60% in North America and it is growing more than 5.8% per year. But it doesn’t mean that laminate flooring is the right choice for you.
Because every person has different needs. So there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But how do you know which one is best for you? That’s why you need to read this complete article.
Because in this article I have covered a complete comparison guide between laminate vs vinyl flooring. Also, I have shared an overall recommendation based on the differentiation guide.
Let’s Get Started!
Table of Contents
What Is Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring also called floating wood tiles is a synthetic flooring product that is made to look like hardwood or other natural materials.
It is typically composed of several layers of materials, including a wear layer, a decorative layer, a core layer, and a back.
The wear layer is made of durable material. That protects the floor from scratches and other damage, while the decorative layer can be customized to match the look of any room.
The core is made of rigid plastic or fiberboard that provides stability and ensures the flooring does not warp or buckle over time.
The back layer is important for moisture protection and helps to keep the flooring in place. So, it is important to make sure that it is sealed properly.
On the other hand, the decorative layer is the one that is visible to everyone. It can be made of different materials, including wood, stone, or ceramic.
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homes because it is affordable, easy to install, and can be used in any room. It is also moisture-resistant, making it a good option for kitchens and bathrooms.
Pros Of Laminate Flooring
- Supreme Durability: Do you have any high-traffic areas in your house? If yes, then laminate flooring works well because it has supreme durability.
- Scratch & Dent Resistant: The topmost layer of laminate flooring is really very hard. That’s why the chances of scratches and dents are very low.
- Radiant Heating System: Do you have any radiation heating surface in your house or any other place? Usually, laminate flooring is kind of hardwood but they are radiation-free.
- Cleaning & Maintenance: If you have any mess and dust on the floor. You only need some mop, that’s all. Because laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain.
- Affordable: When it comes to the hardwood category laminate flooring is really cost-effective. That you can use in your house.
- Installation: As you know laminated flooring is popular with the name of floating wooden flooring. Because it is really easy to install.
Cons Of Laminate Flooring
- Water Resistant: However, laminate flooring can hold some water but they are not completely water-resistant. So don’t use it in any moisture place.
- Noise Issue: Laminate flooring has a hard surface so when you start walking it produces noise. That can be annoying if you are seriously concerned about the sound waves.
What Is Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a type of flooring that is made from vinyl, a type of plastic. Vinyl flooring is most commonly found in homes with children and pets, as it is durable and easy to clean.
It comes in a variety of colors and styles, and it can be installed over most types of existing flooring. Vinyl flooring is also affordable, making it a popular choice for budget-minded homeowners.
Having the vinyl flooring you will get the major plus point is that, it is completely water-resistant. It means that any liquid or beverage spills will not cause any harm to the floor and can be easily cleaned.
It usually has two types; the first one is Luxury Vinyl Plank(LVP) and the second type is Vinyl Composite Tile(VCT). LVP flooring has a textured surface that resembles hardwood planks, while VCT flooring is designed to look like ceramic or stone tiles.
Both types of vinyl flooring are durable and easy to clean, making them a popular choice for homes with children and pets.
Pros Of Vinyl Flooring
- Realistic Wooden Look: Are you a nature-friendly person? Using natural wooden flooring is not difficult. But sometimes it becomes that’s why you can use vinyl flooring. Especially WPC vinyl which realistically mimics the natural wooden flooring.
- Easy To Install: However, installing the vinyl flooring is a little bit difficult. But now most of them are providing interlocking systems. That works well with vinyl flooring.
- Zero Maintenance: If you have a vacuum cleaner. Then this requires a simple mop on the floor. Because it has zero maintenance cost.
- Water Proof: Usually, most vinyl flooring is waterproof. So if you have naughty children and pets. Then you don’t need to take tension about the flooring.
- Durability: Simply there is no more durable than vinyl flooring. Because it can bear any pressure and work for a long time.
- Soundproofing: Its surface is not as hard as the laminate flooring. So if you don’t want much noise in your house. Then vinyl flooring works better for you.
Cons Of Vinyl Flooring
- Costly: However, this is one of the flooring options. That you can use in the house. But as the name suggests “Luxury Vinyl Plank & Tiles” is really a costly item. So if you have that much budget for it. Then only this is a better option for you.
- Scratch & Dent: If you save some money and install low-quality vinyl flooring. Then after some time, you will see scratches and dents on its surface. That is a very common thing with vinyl flooring.
| Areas For Installation Flooring | Laminate Flooring | Vinyl Flooring |
| Bedroom | Yes | Yes |
| Living Room | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Playroom | No | Yes |
| Kitchen | Maybe | Yes |
| Bathroom | No | Yes |
| Home Office | Yes | Yes |
| Garage | No | Yes |
8 Major Differences In Between Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring
Laminate and vinyl flooring have pros and cons that’s why they are different from each other.
But what are those differences you should know about? That’s why you need to read below about them.
1. Cost
Cost is the main thing that you should know about both of them.
Laminate Flooring
The cost of laminate flooring depends on many factors such as the quality of the materials, quantity, and other things.
So the better the flooring you want the more you need to pay. But overall this cost may go higher from $1 per square foot for 7 mm thick and $5 for 12 mm thick vinyl plank flooring.
Vinyl Flooring
The cost of vinyl flooring can be divided into two main categories. The first one is thin vinyl flooring that can be installed using glue.
It will cost you around $2 overall. On the other hand, the luxury thick vinyl flooring will cost around $8. But if you go with premium brands then this cost will increase more.
Best From Them: Laminate Flooring
Vinyl flooring is more expensive than laminate flooring. However, thin laminate flooring works better than glue-down vinyl flooring.
Whether it is more costly than laminate flooring.
2. Appearance
Which flooring looks best in your house?
Laminate Flooring
Do you like designs and painting? Then having one on your floor looks better. Because laminate flooring can be used for deep and realistic embossing.
That provides the material with a wooden, ceramic, and stone look. However, this is not really a real image but looks more like it.
Vinyl Flooring
Do you love the wooden design and look? I know using wooden flooring sometimes is not possible.
That’s why you can use vinyl flooring because it realistically provides a wooden look, especially luxury vinyl flooring.
I know it costs more but if you want then you can install it in your house.
Best From Them: Laminate Flooring
Laminate and vinyl flooring are completely different in appearance. However, both provide a realistic look.
But when it comes to embossing laminate is the best for this work.
3. Water, Heat & Moisture Resistant
When it comes to protecting the flooring from several things. It is important to know about it.
Laminate Flooring
Do you have naughty children and pets in your house? Usually, pets and children like to play with water and other toys.
But if the water spreads on the floor. Then after some time, the laminate flooring starts getting moisture. Because laminate flooring is not water and heat-resistant.
Vinyl Flooring
There are many types of vinyl flooring available in the market and most of them are water and heat-resistant.
Especially, luxury vinyl flooring which is also preventing you from heat radiation. However, some of them are not much better.
That’s why while selecting you should keep this in your mind.
Best From Them: Vinyl Flooring
When it comes to having waterproof flooring, vinyl flooring is a better option for you. However, you can also check out the laminate flooring only if you are living alone.
But you need to care about the water and heating problem.
4. Lifespan & Environment Impact
If you are a nature-friendly person then understanding the impact on the environment and the lifespan are both important for you.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is made from multiple layers that are a mixture of plastic and synthetic resins. That’s why its manufacturers are using some chemical materials to make it.
But now most laminated flooring is offering materials that are quality for LEED MR4 (Recycle content) status. That’s why they have about 10 to 20 years of lifespan.
Vinyl Flooring
Now the whole world is going for a green revolution. That’s why now some vinyl flooring also provides LEED credit EQ4.3 for emitting material.
That means they are producing low carbon emissions or harmful chemicals. That’s why now they are providing a lifespan of about 15 years.
Best From Them: Laminate Flooring
However, vinyl flooring is now producing low carbon but it is producing. On the other hand, most laminate flooring doesn’t produce any harmful chemicals in the environment to harm its beauty.
5. Durability & Maintenance
If you don’t have much time then maintaining the flooring becomes difficult.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is durable but difficult to maintain especially in the moisture area. However, some laminate flooring is better resistant.
But after some time they will not work better. Also, if the topmost layers scratch in any way they can’t be repaired.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is the most durable and easy to maintain. However, when it comes to gluing down vinyl flooring they can be loosened after some time.
But they can bear the heavy traffic and heavyweight. Also, when it comes to water and any other thing it will easily resist.
Best From Them: Vinyl Flooring
If you have more than 2 adult members in your family. Then having vinyl flooring is quite good because it is durable and easy to maintain.
So whether you need to use it in your garage or gateway vinyl flooring can easily handle it.
6. Soundproofing & Comfort
If you don’t like any kind of noise in your house. Then you should know which flooring produces the most?
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring usually has a hard surface area that becomes the cause of producing noise.
However, the noise is not that much that disturbs you. But if the traffic is very high in your house or where you have installed laminate flooring.
Then you may hear so much noise. But when it comes to comfort, laminate flooring is not very comfortable also.
Vinyl Flooring
So if you are working from your home and you need silence. Then you should definitely check out the vinyl flooring.
Because they don’t produce noise it is also more comfortable. However, they have the same building procedure as laminate.
But the properties are well and provide a warm feeling.
Best From Them: Vinyl Flooring
When it comes to vinyl plank flooring they are more comfortable than laminate flooring. Because they build with durable materials that don’t produce noise.
But some vinyl floorings are not the same. So this is better to check before.
7. Resale Value
If after installing it you don’t like and want to sell it. Then you know the resale value of both.
Laminate Flooring
The resale value of any laminate flooring depends on the quality and brand that you have used. So if they are not as good sell it again.
Then you will not get much return. But when it comes to premium brands and quality. Then you will have a better resale value.
Vinyl Flooring
Have you installed luxury vinyl flooring? Thanks to vinyl flooring because they mostly come in the premium versions. That supports resale value.
So after installation, if you don’t like it then you can easily resale it. But the vinyl flooring is not luxury then you will not get better resale value.
Best From Them: Tie!
Now, both come in a low and premium version that defines their resale value. That’s why it is difficult to know which performs well.
However, luxury vinyl flooring work has better resale value. But after removing them they don’t look good.
Overall Recommendation: Which Flooring Is Best For You?
As I have explained earlier, both have their pros and cons and are different from each other. But in some conditions vinyl flooring wins the match.
Because they have really great advantages from laminate flooring.
However, laminate flooring also works well if you want better costing and environment-friendly flooring.
But when it comes to efficiency and performance vinyl flooring is the best recommendation for you.
Wrap Up On Difference In Between Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring
However, if you have laminate or vinyl flooring the ultimate goal is to provide the highest experience. Most people feel better after using vinyl flooring.
Because it is better for maintenance and cleaning.
Also, water and heat-resistant so you can easily install it in any place you want. But some people still use laminate flooring. Because it looks better than vinyl flooring.
So the main thing is the need why you want to use these flooring.
However, after differencing between laminate vs vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring comes at the best from them. But you can also use laminate flooring.
That’s why I have explained every difference deeply. So that you can understand properly.
You can also get help with the pros and cons of laminate and vinyl flooring. Because of the property that you want in your flooring.
If it is not in the laminate or vinyl flooring. Then you can easily choose the best one from them.
FAQ: Difference In Between Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring
Making a difference between laminate vs vinyl flooring is quite a difficult thing. That’s why many people like you have lots of questions. That can be solved easily.
That’s why I have added some of them in this article to provide appropriate answers to them.
Which laminate or vinyl flooring adds more volume to my home?
Both floorings are great and add value to your home. But when it comes to looks, laminate flooring works better. That’s why this will add more value than vinyl flooring.
How can I limit the budget for installing laminate and vinyl flooring?
Sometimes installing the premium flooring whether it is laminate or vinyl costs really high. That will disbalance your budget. That’s why if you want to limit the budget then you should always go with black and white color.
Do premium brands of laminate or vinyl flooring provide a warranty?
Yes, when you go with the premium laminate or vinyl flooring. You will get some years of warranty that will safeguard you. If they broke then you can claim a refund.
