From a distance, both types of flooring even look similar. Neither type of flooring is better than the other across all categories. Vinyl flooring is best in high-moisture areas and it's easy to keep clean. Yet laminate flooring offers a wider variety of style choices and has a higher resale value.
To avoid the risk of water damage, a better flooring option for kitchens is LVT or vinyl roll. And, similar to laminate, both of these vinyl options are available in a range of wood designs.
Since the kitchen is a high-traffic area, you need a durable flooring material that can withstand wear and tear. Consider materials like ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, or hardwood floors that are strong enough to handle foot traffic and heavy furniture.
One of the primary reasons homeowners choose luxury vinyl plank flooring for their kitchens is because of its durability. It's fully moisture-proof and more impervious to wear and tear. It's completely resistant to water damage and most stains.
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.
From a distance, both types of flooring even look similar. Neither type of flooring is better than the other across all categories. Vinyl flooring is best in high-moisture areas and it's easy to keep clean. Yet laminate flooring offers a wider variety of style choices and has a higher resale value.
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.
“For heavy foot traffic areas such as living rooms and kitchens, I recommend getting vinyl plank flooring with an enhanced urethane finish,” Lewis says. “They have a high-gloss look and are damage-resistant.” However, for lower traffic areas, no-wax finishes are best, she says.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is one of the most durable types of kitchen flooring. It's made of a type of plastic but convincingly mimics wood. LVP resists stains and scratches and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear, so it's tougher than hardwood floors and much more water-resistant.
Although both flooring types come in a range of styles, colors, and patterns, laminate often features more realistic imagery and embossing. In general, homeowners tend to choose laminate over vinyl for more visible spaces in their homes, such as entryways, living rooms, and dining rooms.
One of the most durable floors to use in a kitchen is ceramic or porcelain tile. Although cold underfoot, these tiles are incredibly durable and easy to clean having been handmade and baked. They are also available in a range of shapes, styles, and colours, making them perfect for any kitchen aesthetic.
Tumbled Effect Porcelain Trend
A big trend for 2023 kitchen floor tiles is tumbled effect porcelain - together with the character and variation from tile to tile, this soft tumbling effect lends itself beautifully to rustic, and modern country-style kitchens.
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
Many homeowners prefer the look of laminate to that of vinyl. Although both flooring types come in a range of styles, colors, and patterns, laminate typically features better imagery or embossing that gives the floors a more realistic look.
Pros of Vinyl Flooring in Your Kitchen
And if you normally take care of it, which is very simple and another advantage we'll get into, it will last you between 10 to 20 years.
In this case, the thicker the plank/tile, or sheet, the sturdier it is. The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.
In a small modern kitchen or a narrow galley layout, avoid using very small floor tiles which can look overly-busy and make the space feel too cramped. Instead, opt for larger floor tiles laid lengthwise - having fewer grout lines will make the space feel airier and create a better sense of flow visually.
Consider the size of your kitchen when choosing your flooring. Light floors can help make a smaller kitchen feel more spacious, while dark floors can make a large kitchen feel cozy and inviting.
Darker flooring will give your kitchen a dramatic and moody flair, especially when paired with lighter cabinets. Meanwhile, lighter flooring paired with darker cabinets will also add contrast, but the space will feel much brighter and open.
As long as you address the overriding concern of moisture, you can install laminate flooring in the kitchen. If you want to eliminate worries about moisture, install sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). In terms of appearance, LVP is a close contender with laminate and it is 100-percent waterproof.
Durable – Laminate has a treated, extra-strong top layer of Laminate, which makes it highly scratch and stain-resistant. This durability makes it a good choice for areas with high foot traffic. The top layer also provides water-resistance, which is an essential requirement for your kitchen flooring.
Not environmentally friendly
Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations. If this is a concern for you, we recommend avoiding high-VOC vinyl flooring and choosing a low-VOC floor instead.
Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include: Cannot be repaired. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
The main difference between laminate and vinyl flooring is the materials they're made of. 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.