Can not choose between laminate and vinyl flooring?
Here are 7 things you need to know about Laminate flooring vs vinyl.
1- Vinyl plastic is made of 100% plastic and laminate is 99% made of wood.
2- Vinyl is cold and hard when touched, but laminate is warmer.
3- Vinyl is resistant to moisture and is very suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Laminate is not so much but it is always more stylish.
4- Vinyl boards are easy to install, but the laminate must be adjusted by a saw.
5. Vinyl is often of medium value and laminate can be much more expensive.
6- Consider the value of resale. Buyers prefer laminate flooring but have no problem with vinyl in the bathroom or kitchen.
7- Do you want environmentally friendly flooring? Laminate is recyclable, and many vinyls contain low-emission chemicals that take care of your family.
Laminate flooring vs vinyl:
Major differences
The ability of each to resist the presence of moisture on its materials is different. Vinyl flooring is completely synthetic so it can be installed anywhere. The limited resistance of the laminate to moisture determines the areas where the laminate flooring may or may not be installed.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is a 100% synthetic material. In standard vinyl sheets, the base layer is usually fiberglass, which is then coated with PVC vinyl and a softener. The resulting sheet is embossed with a printed layer. Then several layers of abrasion are applied together with a layer of wax-free polyurethane.
In Laminate flooring vs vinyl, vinyl flooring is the main layer of a thicker, multi-layered PVC vinyl. Luxury vinyl flooring comes in the form of boards or tiles and joins together in the floor to form a floating floor. The total thickness of vinyl flooring is from 1.5 mm for vinyl sheets to 5 mm for luxury vinyl boards.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring vs vinyl, Laminate flooring is similar to luxury vinyl boards in terms of shape and installation method. The main difference is that the core is made of wood by-products bonded with resins. The surface is a hard, transparent plastic abrasion layer that covers the printed design layer. The overall thickness of laminate flooring is from 6 mm to 12 mm.
Appearance Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring has a three-dimensional, deep, and realistic relief on its surface that shows accurate images of the painted materials such as wood, ceramic, or stone.
Vinyl flooring
Laminate flooring vs vinyl,
Many types of vinyl flooring can look realistic; Especially luxury vinyl flooring with a thicker core. They will look more like wood because there is a possibility of more protrusions.
Best for appearance: Laminate flooring
While laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are generally comparable in appearance, laminate flooring generally mimics hand-carved hardwood, stone, ceramic, and other materials.
Water and heat resistance
Laminate flooring
All laminate flooring vs vinyl uses a fiberboard core. Because this kernel is a wood product, it becomes soft and swollen when exposed to water. The core of the fiberboard does not reach its original dimensions after drying. In addition, the abrasion and design layers sometimes disappear after the core is submerged. Laminate flooring that is severely damaged by water usually needs to be replaced and the problem cannot be fixed.
Properly installed laminate flooring vs vinyl has strong joints and suitable baseboards or formwork and can withstand shrinkage, But only in a short period. Laminate flooring is an unsuitable choice for family bathrooms or other areas where there may be stagnant water. If you can constantly dedicate yourself to quick cleaning of leaks and ponds, then you may be able to use laminate flooring in areas with low humidity.
Vinyl flooring
Older forms of vinyl flooring may have a fabric or felt back that is not waterproof. But the new styles of vinyl flooring are made of 100% polymeric materials. Luxury vinyl flooring can be completely immersed in water for a long time, then dried and reused, and is not affected at all.
The best choice for water and heat resistance: Vinyl flooring
Different models of vinyl flooring are not only water-resistant but also essentially waterproof. Vinyl sheets, vinyl tiles, and luxury vinyl flooring are usually made with materials that are 100% waterproof. In complete bathrooms and humid places such as basements, vinyl flooring is superior to laminate. Vinyl sheets, which come in 12-foot-wide rolls, often do not require any sealing and are a great option for waterproof flooring.
Laminate flooring vs vinyl care and cleaning
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring should be cleaned first with dry methods such as a duster or dry broom. If you need to clean laminate flooring, you just need to use a damp cleaner that looks almost dry to the touch.
Vinyl flooring
The most prominent feature of vinyl flooring is that it is easy to care for and clean. Vinyl flooring cleaner in good condition can be a damp cloth and can be rubbed vigorously when cleaning with safe products if necessary.
The best choice for care and cleaning is Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Vinyl flooring
While laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are easy to clean, the presence of vinyl flooring on the entire surface covers all cleaning methods from dry sweeping to wet washing.
Durability and maintenance Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is durable and requires little maintenance. However, many layers of laminate flooring may eventually flake off over time or after being exposed to water for a long time. Once the wear layer on the laminate is scratched, it can no longer be repaired.
Vinyl flooring
Low-quality vinyl flooring may be laminated. Vinyl floor tiles can also loosen over time. In general, vinyl flooring is a hard material that will withstand high traffic requirements.
The best choice for durability and maintenance
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is an extremely durable flooring with low maintenance requirements and in industrial terminology, flooring is flexible. Vinyl flooring is used even in commercial applications; Where durability and maintenance are more important.
Installation of Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring vs vinyl uses the method of installing keys and locks; In such a way that the tab of a board is placed at an angle to the groove of the adjacent board. Then the first board is folded to be level with the other board. This action brings the boards together and closes the seam. A circular saw or a regular table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade or even a hand saw is used to cut laminate boards.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl boards also use the method of installing keys and locks. Vinyl floorboards can also be cut with a tool knife. The first mark is made, then the board is bent backward and a second cut is made from the back. The vinyl sheet can be a difficult material to install because it is large, heavy, and unbearable. In addition, it is difficult to create complex cuts in the style of the worksheet. If you are installing vinyl sheets, professional installation is often your best bet.
Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring vs vinyl ranges from 7 mm thick boards at about $ 1.00 per square foot to 12 mm thick boards at about $ 5.00 per square foot.
Vinyl flooring
Thin, glued vinyl flooring can cost about $ 1.00 per square foot. The cost of vinyl for luxury vinyl boards increases to about $ 5.00 per square foot, and top brands also cost more.
The best choice for the cost of Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are almost comparable in price, although vinyl sheet has few edges. Laminate and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than hardwood, engineered wood, and many types of ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Lifetime Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring usually has a warranty of 10 to 25 years, but this depends on a careful maintenance schedule.
Vinyl flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring warranties are often up to 20 years.
Best for the life of Laminate flooring vs vinyl
Buyers can expect a lifespan close to vinyl flooring as long as the laminate flooring is thoroughly dry and regularly cleaned.
Which flooring should you buy?
No flooring is globally better or worse than any other flooring. Vinyl flooring is suitable for laundry rooms, wet bathrooms, and greenhouses. If you install vinyl flooring in those rooms, you will probably choose it because of its moisture resistance. Laminate flooring works well for dry areas. Buyers usually find more models in laminate flooring than in vinyl flooring.