Yes, vinyl flooring is indeed better than laminate flooring in terms of resistance, lifespan, looks, and feel. Learn the main differences through this post.
We all want our homes to have durable, resistant, and attractive flooring. We have several flooring options in this case. Among the most popular and resistant flooring types are laminates and vinyl flooring. Both have their pros and cons. But, you cannot choose both and you shouldn’t. So, if these two confuse you the most, this comparison will help you make the right decision.
Moreover, both are attractive and easy to install. But, there are viable reasons that vinyl is better than laminate flooring. That is why we will discuss some key differences to clear the debate for you. So, let’s draw the line of comparison in the light of the points below:
- Visual appeal
- Their lifespan
- Water and heat resistance
- Care and cleaning
- Comfort level
- Installation
- Cost
-
Table of Contents
Visual appeal:
In terms of visual appeal, both allow homeowners to have a realistic floor. Both vinyl and laminate floors look natural and solid for a durable interior. But, vinyl floor planks look deeper and wooden than laminate floors. Although, laminate gives a three-dimensional outlook to your home. On the other hand, vinyl offers a solid hardwood look to your ground. So, the latter is better if you want a solid wooden floor type.
-
Their lifespan:
If you talk about durability, vinyl is stronger and more durable than laminate floorings. In general, vinyl gives up to 20 years warranty lifespan for quality planks. Also, its water-resistant property allows you to test its strength. However, laminate can last from 10 to 25 years, but its surface damages are not repairable. You may have to scratch the entire flooring for one big flaw. Depending on the care and maintenance, some vinyl floors can live a long run.
-
Water and heat resistance:
The main difference lies in the water and heat resistance of laminate and vinyl flooring. So, vinyl is the big winner here. Why? Well, most modern vinyl floors consist of 100% polymer materials, which means they can stand a heavy flow of water. But, it is much better to keep it as dry as possible. So, no need to stress over seams and water seepage.
On the contrary, laminate flooring has limited moisture resistance. The reason is that a fiberboard core can swell or soften if it receives moisture for a longer time. In this way, it can peel away over time. So, laminate is not suitable for rooms with high humidity, like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
-
Care and cleaning:
As it is not 100% waterproof, laminate flooring needs dry cleaning and mopping. However, that is not the case with vinyl flooring. It is much easier to care for and clean. In addition, you do not have to overthink about water usage. As long as the water does not stay on vinyl planks, it will have no harm. But, you cannot use excessive water or wet clothes to clean laminate floors.
-
Comfort level:
Both laminate and vinyl floors offer some comfort level and soundproof place. Although laminate does not give a proper wooden look, it is soft underfoot. Also, a high-quality laminate floor will provide warmth to your home. In the same way, vinyl floors are noise-free and soft to walk on. Additionally, they offer a realistic wood-looking floor type. However, the basis of both floor types is distinctive.
-
Installation:
Like vinyl planks and sheets, laminate also makes use of the click-lock method of installation. It is durable and cost-effective. In contrast, vinyl floor planks/sheets use more ways to install. So, you can use the floating, peel stick, or glue-down method to install this flooring type. Also, you can use an ordinary saw to cut laminate sheets, but a knife is enough to cut vinyl planks. You might need help with vinyl sheets.
-
Cost:
In general, both laminate and vinyl flooring store Columbus are less costly. So, it does not help in drawing any line of difference. In terms of cost, laminate ranges from $1 to $5 per square foot for up to 12 mm thickness. And vinyl planks may cost a bit less than $1/square foot for premium quality. But, vinyl sheets give you the edge to save some bucks as you can install a single sheet in a room.
-
Vinyl flooring or laminate: a room by room analysis
Depending on the foot traffic and moisture content, the preferences are below:
| Room | Vinyl or Laminate? |
| Kitchen | Vinyl, Laminate |
| Bathrooms (not around showers) | Vinyl |
| Bedrooms | Vinyl, Laminate |
| Dining Room | Vinyl, Laminate |
| Living Room | Vinyl, Laminate |
| Laundry Room or MudRoom | Vinyl |
| Basements | Only vinyl |
Buy vinyl flooring online:
Probably, you can get the best deals of the year when other people are not buying the floor. Well, all the flooring stores will offer you better discounts when they are so desperate about getting customers. Of course, at that time, you will probably get the best negotiable prices. When they lack a list of any buyers, they will never let you go empty-handed. Most home renovations slow down from mid-December to February. Many flooring firms and big stores increase their rates during the busy season to lower them during the sluggish season.
Well, most of the stores launch their new flooring products at this time. So, often to increase the sales of the new product, they want to eliminate the old items. Well, you can also say this is a clearance sale time. However, there are equal chances to find a gem or a stone. Moreover, at this time of the year, people are again busy with their annual ceremonies.
Conclusion:
Finally, you can see the key differences between laminate and vinyl flooring. By keeping some exceptions, both the floor types have their pros and cons. This comparison will help you choose the more resistant and durable one for your home. Also, get more clarity from the table above to decide which flooring is suitable for which area. However, vinyl floor sheets/planks lead in some ways. So, get premium quality vinyl from Columbus flooring city.