Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring, Which Is Better

When choosing the ideal flooring for your home or business, numerous options are available, including vinyl and laminate flooring. Both types of flooring are affordable and low-maintenance alternatives to traditional hardwood and stone materials. However, vinyl and laminate have different characteristics and features. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between vinyl and laminate flooring to help you decide which is best.

Vinyl Flooring vs. Laminate flooring, Main differences

Main differences between Vinyl Flooring and Laminate Flooring

Many people think vinyl and laminate flooring are the same. That may have been true years ago, but with new materials and manufacturing techniques, there are now distinctive differences in moisture resistance, durability, and maintenance. Let’s look at vinyl and laminate and compare each of their characteristics so you can decide which is better for your home.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is made up of up to four layers of materials, with 100% polymers and no organic content. The bottom layer—called the backing—is usually made of foam or cork and acts as the underlayment so that no other material is required prior to laying the actual vinyl flooring. This cork or foam layer also provides a cushion to make the floor more comfortable and is a sound barrier to reduce noise. Vinyl’s top layer is transparent, covering the image layer below it. The middle s made of a thick plastic core, which forms the majority of the flooring.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is made of high-density wood fiberboard. It’s intended to be affordable and durable and consists of up to five layers sealed together during the lamination process. Its second—or décor layer—includes a printed image that imitates the look of more expensive flooring, like stone, tile, or wood. A clear wear layer covers this layer to protect the printed image. A thin, impact-resistant third layer covers the high-density fiberboard, making up the product’s bulk. The bottom layer is either a soft foam or paper.

Which is better, Vinyl or Laminate?

Main differences between Vinyl and Laminate

The main difference between vinyl and laminate flooring is the materials used to manufacture them, as noted above. Laminate flooring consists of multiple layers laminated together with a wood fiberboard core. Vinyl flooring, which also features several layers, is only made of synthetic materials.

Appearance

In terms of design and appearance, laminate and vinyl are somewhat even. Laminate takes a slight lead due to its high-definition photographic layer, which can create the look of natural stone or wood. Many different colors and styles of stone and wood can be found in laminate flooring. Vinyl also has an image layer, but the resolution isn’t very high, so the look is often less authentic.

Cost

Sheet vinyl flooring can be as low as $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot, while plank and tile vinyl can range from $0.60 to $4.00. The cost of installation offsets the economical pricing. A skilled do-it-yourselfer could lay plank or tile vinyl, but a professional installation is required for sheet vinyl.

Laminate flooring comes in a wide range of prices. Discount flooring stores may charge as little as $0.50 and up to $3.00 per square foot, while name-brand laminate usually costs between $3.00 and $8.00. Unless your warranty calls for a professional install, most laminate flooring can be installed by a DIYer.

Water and Heat Resistance

Vinyl flooring is completely waterproof. Even with large amounts of water or liquid, the flooring can dry out without losing shape or appearance.

Laminate flooring is not water resistant. Excess water caused by spills or careless cleaning can cause the material to warp or stain, especially near seams or edges. If liquid does get in, the core will soak it up, causing damage to the flooring’s shape and appearance.

Because the top layer of laminate flooring is plastic, it may melt under extreme heat—although those high temperatures are rarely reached. The high-density fiberboard core is largely impervious to heat.

Care and Cleaning

Vinyl flooring is somewhat easy to clean. Spills can be wiped up with plain water. Mopping once a week with a water and vinegar mixture or a vinyl floor cleaner will keep your floors shining. For stains or a build-up of dirt, there are several options depending on the nature of the stain. For food, use a paste of baking soda and water. For things like paint or crayons, use rubbing alcohol, and for scuffs, WD-40 rubbed on with a towel will get the mark out.

To avoid expensive repairs or replacements, cleaning laminate floors with care is essential. To avoid stains:

1. Wipe up spills immediately.

2. Don’t use anything abrasive on your floor, as laminate can scratch easily.

3. Use a soft bristle broom for daily cleaning.

Laminate floors can be mopped every two months with either a damp microfiber mop or a regular mop wrung almost dry. It’s important not to use too much water and only use cleaning products designed for laminate.

Durability and Maintenance

With regular cleaning, vinyl floors will last years and look beautiful. Keeping the floor dust and dirt free is key; adding doormats by exterior doors can help. Liquid can damage laminate, so minimizing exposure to moisture is crucial. Also, to avoid scratches use furniture pads or rugs to prevent damage from furniture and trim your pet’s nails.

professional may be necessary for laminate flooring installment

Installation

Most knowledgeable DIYers can install both vinyl and laminate flooring. Vinyl plank requires fewer tools, so it is considered the easiest to install. However, laminate flooring installment includes cutting to size and applying an underlayment to the subfloor, so a professional may be necessary.

Lifespan

Properly maintained vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, and laminate flooring can last between 15 and 25 years. Lower quality—or thinner—vinyl may not last ten years. And poorly maintained laminate may last only five to 10 years.

Environmental Impact

Laminate and vinyl are typically not considered to be very environmentally friendly. However, finding eco-friendly vinyl and laminate is possible if you know what to look for. Some laminate flooring is made from wood by-products and plastic; this type of flooring is known as WPC or Wood Plastic Composite and may contain recycled materials. The plastics within laminate and vinyl can release VOCs after installation, which can be harmful, especially to those with respiratory conditions. These products are hard to recycle, aren’t biodegradable, and may not be your best option if you’re looking for environmentally-friendly flooring. However, there are now some vinyl and laminate flooring made with no or low-VOC plastic.

Stain Resistance

High-quality laminate and vinyl flooring do a fantastic job of resisting stains. Laminate will not hold stains and most can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Most styles of vinyl include a protective layer that will not stain if treated immediately.

Resale Value

Both quality vinyl and laminate flooring will not turn off prospective home buyers, but they also don’t command the value of solid hardwood, natural stone, or ceramic tile. Vinyl flooring may carry a slightly lower resale value than laminate.

Top Brands

H.FLOR SPECIMEN TIMBER from PRESTG Artistry SPC

There are dozens of high quality vinyl flooring manufacturers, including LX Hausys, Armstrong, CoreTEC, Mannington, Metroflor, Cryntel and others. Mohawk, AquaGuard, Arostong, Pergo, and Shaw are top producers for laminate flooring.

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LX Hausys’ luxury vinyl HFLOR brand offers incredible freedom and creativity both in terms of design capabilities and installation methods. We’d be happy to help you find the ideal vinyl flooring for your project. Contact our experts by filling out a brief form, and someone will respond to you quickly.

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