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.
Vinyl flooring clearly is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent choice in bathrooms. But for whole-house installations, laminate flooring often makes sense because it offers a wide range of choices.
Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don't forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.
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.
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.
Many homeowners, interior designers, and builders are opting for Luxury Vinyl Flooring as a substitute for other vinyl-type options due to its hardwood style. Compared with other hardwood flooring it is an attractive choice for those who want some classic hassle-free flooring without high-price tags.
Due to their synthetic material compositions, both types of flooring will quite naturally feel a little plastic-like to the touch. Laminate is generally more shiny in appearance, and LVT is normally quieter underfoot.
While LVP is extremely durable, it isn't totally indestructible. 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.
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 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 flooring is best for laundry rooms, wet bathrooms, and mudrooms. If you are installing flooring in those rooms, you'll probably want to choose vinyl flooring simply based on moisture resistance. For dry areas, laminate flooring works well and has a generally better appearance.
Textured laminate is almost always a better choice for dog owners, although even textured laminate doesn't offer as much traction as vinyl. If you can find laminate flooring with enough texture to keep your dog's paws from slipping, it's a good low-cost, medium-maintenance option.
The excellent scratch resistance you'll find in LVP flooring comes from a protective wear layer that also protects against stains, scuffs, dents, and other forms of daily wear. It's the perfect option for busy rooms, especially with pets and children in the home.
LVT will never look “cheap” — it will make your life easier and enhance the look and comfort of your home.
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.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
In general, you can rely on vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 and 25 years. A lot of it comes down to how well you look after the flooring, but there are some other factors.
“Luxury vinyl plank is making a major comeback in vacation homes and commercial properties,” Connell says. “The look of wood has come a long way.”
The thickness of Luxury Vinyl Planks is measured in units called mil, referring to the level of wear it can withstand. Despite the similarities in the name, this measurement (mil) is not related to millimeters (mm), as 40 mil is roughly equivalent to 1.0 mm. Thicker planks are more resistant to dents and scratches.
How Soon Can You Walk on Vinyl Flooring? After you've installed brand-new vinyl flooring, you should wait at least a day before walking on it because: The seams need to cure: The adhesive under your vinyl plank or tile flooring needs at least a day to acclimate to the floor underneath it after installation.
You should also keep in mind that vinyl plank and tile flooring might not increase the value of your home as much as laminate flooring. However, vinyl flooring can still make all the difference in how long your floors will last, which could be vital as we head into a more competitive real estate market.
Luxury vinyl planks (or tiles) are, in themselves, completely water-proof and cannot be damaged by exposure to moisture.
Its durability and water resistance makes it a great material to increase value in rental properties, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. However, we don't always choose luxury vinyl for our properties. While the material is durable and stands up to water well, it's softer than hardwood and tile.
“In our area, vinyl or laminate flooring is fine for homes at the median value or below. In higher value homes, buyers expect to see hardwood, stone tile, or luxury vinyl plank.”