“Vinyl is one of the most cost-effective flooring options that exists, but you may notice that fact while using it all the time,” says Brandon Walker, construction manager at ASAP Restoration LLC. “Laminate is one of the more affordable flooring options, but it is still slightly higher for upfront costs than vinyl is.”
Laminate is a good option where there is not a lot of moisture. Vinyl is a better option in rooms with a lot of spills and splashes. Vinyl or Laminate? If your basement needs flooring, vinyl may also be the top recommendation, as many basement areas can have a lot of moisture.
Vinyl Flooring
At the lowest price of $0.50 per square foot, it's one of the cheapest flooring options around. Pros: Comfortable feeling underfoot. Easy to maintain.
Does Laminate Flooring Increase Home Value? To go easy on the budget, laminate flooring is another option. It may have a lower resale value than solid or engineered wood, but high-quality laminate flooring can bring a higher resale value than cheaper vinyl flooring or leaving bad flooring in place.
The average cost to install 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring is between $2,000 and $7,000 for standard vinyl planks and between $3,000 and $10,000 for luxury vinyl planks. Adding in labor costs brings the total to between $5,000 and $20,000.
Laminate flooring tends to cost $2 to $11 per square foot depending on the quality of the flooring. Also be sure to budget $4 to $8 for labor and installation per square foot installed, depending on labor costs in your area. Labor costs should also include underlayment for the flooring.
The cost for professionally installing vinyl flooring averages around $1.50 -$2.75 for "floating" installation, or $3-$5 for glued installation. To have your carpet installed, on average, labor cost to install carpet is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. Don't forget about you're carpet padding when factoring the costs.
Do builders use luxury vinyl in high end homes? Hardwood flooring is typically the most popular choice for high end homes. However, some extremely discerning customers request vinyl, particularly if they have children, due to its increased durability.
For high-traffic areas, vinyl flooring has historically emerged as the superior choice due to its exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear.
So there you have it. If you are just factoring in materials alone, then sheet carpet, laminate, and ceramic and porcelain tiles are your go to budget options. If you are looking for DIY-friendly floors to save money on installation costs, then laminate, carpet tiles and luxury vinyl tiles are your go-to options.
The Short Answer: Yes, You Can Paint Vinyl Flooring!
Contrary to popular belief, painting vinyl flooring, including LVT, is indeed a feasible solution to revitalise your floors and extend their lifespan.
Not moisture-proof
Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it's not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn't cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.
Firstly, it can be difficult to install and may require professional help. Secondly, vinyl plank flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile. It is also prone to scratching and denting from heavy furniture or objects being dragged across the surface.
Appearance. While both vinyl and laminate flooring are designed to simulate natural wood, they do produce slightly different final effects. For example, laminate flooring tends to look more realistic, as a woodgrain-like texture can be imprinted upon the wear layer.
Polyvinyl chloride is a known carcinogen and contains health and environmental toxins such as dioxin and phthalates. While dioxin is generally only released when exposed to heat, such as during the manufacturing process, it poses a lesser threat to you and your family's health.
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.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
"I have a rule: You should never see more than two types of flooring from any one place in your home," Jonathan says. In this case, they opted to install luxury vinyl flooring across the main living areas for a cohesive and consistent look.
Does vinyl flooring devalue a home? It's possible. While vinyl plank floors are affordable and versatile, they might not boost your home's resale value like hardwood or tile would.
Vinyl flooring installation costs range between $2 and $7 per square foot on average, but some options cost as low as $1 and as high as $14 per square foot.
“Buyers like carpet in bedrooms, especially in basement bedrooms, for comfort and warmth.” Carpet is also much quieter to walk on than other types of flooring and can help absorb noise. It can mask sounds, such as footsteps and squeaky floors, Fisher adds.
Vinyl flooring is known for its durability and low maintenance requirements. It resists scratches, stains, and water damage, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.