Durability. Laminate and LVT/LVP flooring are both extremely durable, but they have their weaknesses. Laminate is prone to scratches and chipped corners over time, so vinyl is probably a better choice for your home if you have pets. LVT/LVP is scratch-resistant, but it's more vulnerable to denting and tearing.
Laminate, on average, is more scratch-resistant than vinyl, but both hold up nicely against wear-and-tear in the short term.
Vinyl also has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Although it can last twice as long as laminate, vinyl (especially luxury vinyl) may involve a larger investment upfront.
CERAMIC AND PORCELAIN TILE
Tile made from ceramic or porcelain is the most scratch-resistant flooring. Ceramic tile is made of fired clay, and it's a hard and durable substance. Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic, but they make it from a more cultivated clay and bake it at higher temperatures.
Vinyl is 100% synthetic, while laminate uses a fiberboard core constructed of wood byproducts. Thus, laminate flooring is not waterproof, while vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof. Both floorings are stain-resistant and offer the option of underlayment, but are built a bit differently.
Con: LVP May Dent
Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it. However, do know that LVP resists scratches better than real hardwood.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent choice for all kinds of durability, including superb scratch resistance.
Most dog owners forgo hardwood flooring because it can be easily damaged by dogs' nails. If you're set on hardwood, consider a hard wood variety or engineered hardwood planks, which tend to hold up better. Laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet have excellent scratch resistance to hold up to the click-clack of claws.
The outer layer of vinyl flooring is typically scratch-resistant, which means their claws can't scratch it up and their nails won't leave scratches when they get the zoomies. And, scratch-resistant flooring or not, it's always a good idea to trim your pet's nails so they stay comfortable.
So, now for the big question: which is more expensive —vinyl or laminate? Truthfully, both products are pretty comparable in cost as both are less expensive options than other flooring materials like hardwood or porcelain tile. Vinyl can be pricier, though, especially if you're exploring luxury vinyl options.
Lifespan. There is a wide range for how long vinyl flooring lasts: anywhere from five to 25 years. This huge variation is a result of the initial installation process, quality of the flooring, thickness of the wear layer and maintenance.
You should sweep and mop them regularly. Use a specialty mop to clean them without excess liquid. Though laminate floors are water resistant, if they are soaked in water, they can be damaged. The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products especially made for them.
Unlike hardwood, Style Selections rigid core luxury vinyl planks and tiles are stain- and scratch-resistant with a 12-mil wear layer, making them a family-friendly option you'll enjoy for years to come.
Vinyl is our top choice, but laminate is also an excellent option. If you have a bit more money to spend, you can consider tile, which is more expensive than vinyl or laminate flooring but offers similar dog-friendly characteristics like water and scratch resistance.
Laminate floors have different finishes, and a matte, satin or gloss look is always going to scratch more easily than an embossed(textured) finish. It really comes down to what sort of flooring will match your lifestyle and how much activity is happening in the rooms where you're putting it.
Can dogs scratch laminate floors? By its very nature and construction, laminate flooring products are durable and able to withstand scratches from even the biggest dogs. Sometimes scratches happen, however, so if and when they do happen you'll want to use a laminate floor repair kit.
As such, your flooring needs to be not only durable but also resistant to moisture, stains and odours. As such, water-proof and water-resistant flooring may be a better choice for homes with pets. The most suitable options are hybrid flooring, vinyl plank flooring, tiles and laminate floors.
Vinyl Tile Offers Durable Flooring for Pets That Pee
Vinyl is a favorite flooring option for kitchens and bathrooms and also makes great flooring for dogs that pee, as it's very resistant to liquids and easy to clean. Vinyl is also soft underfoot, making it a comfortable surface for dogs to relax or walk on.
This makes it the ideal flooring solution for spaces such as basements, kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants and cafes. It is a great option for those with pets that worry about accidents. In addition, vinyl plank flooring is very durable with commercial grade wear layers that can withstand heavy traffic.
When it comes to luxury vinyl, furniture is largely responsible for most of the damage that it suffers. As mentioned earlier, luxury vinyl flooring is softer than other flooring types like hardwood, and is prone to scratching, scuffing and indentations.
The best and most permanent solution for protecting vinyl floors is to apply felt pad protectors to your furniture feet and bases in order to minimize routine wear and tear and scratches. You'll find a wide range of floor protectors for various sized chair and table legs at 1877FloorGuy.
Vinyl flooring, especially when installed with an underlayment, can minimize impact noise and provide a softer and more muted sound when walking or dropping items. Laminate flooring, without an underlayment, may produce a louder and hollower sound due to the nature of its construction.
Ease of Installation
When comparing vinyl plank to laminate, it's a close race as to which is easier to install. However, the installation of vinyl plank requires fewer tools and steps, so it's the superior choice in this category.
Laminate and vinyl planks feature plastic design and wear layers. But vinyl planks also have plastic cores, while laminate cores are made from wood composites. This is one of the most important differences between the products. Vinyl planks and tiles are waterproof, especially the more recent WPC and SPC products.