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 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.
Vinyl is more durable than laminate flooring.
Vinyl flooring is a supremely durable, low-maintenance flooring, thus the industry term resilient flooring. Vinyl flooring is even used in commercial applications, where durability and maintenance are high priorities.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Although they have a lot in common, including very similar looks, they share some major differences. Vinyl is 100% water resistant and made of virgin vinyl, while laminate has a HDF wooden core.
While luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way from its creation and has increased in durability and visual appeal, unfortunately vinyl may decrease your resale value in the long run.
Regular vinyl is more affordable, thinner, and features full glue-down installation options, offering about 10 to 15 years of lifespan. Luxury vinyl provides floating installation, can last more than 25 years, and is considered reasonable even for high-end settings.
Luxury vinyl has become our most popular choice for home flooring, and for many good reasons.As mentioned previously its waterproof, low maintenance, resilient, and is one of the most budget-friendly options, too!
The initial costs associated with laminate flooring are typically lower than that of vinyl, with labor and materials starting at around $1 per square foot for laminate (versus $2 per square foot for vinyl).
If you are considering installing new floors in a kitchen or bathroom, which are susceptible to daily water spills, vinyl flooring is better as it is 100% waterproof.
In most cases, laminate is a more comfortable floor than vinyl. This is because it's thicker than vinyl, and often is installed over a foam underlayment. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is installed directly over the concrete subfloor, making it colder and harder than laminate.
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.
Cork or Vinyl Plank
Both can help absorb sounds found in your home—whether it's from walking across the floor or even just white noise—and provide a quieter space. Both of these flooring materials come in various styles and options and look just like real wood, yet offers a very noticeable noise absorption quality!
Vinyl is more suitable for high moisture areas like a kitchen or as bathroom floor tiles. Vinyl flooring is low maintenance and can be cleaned with a damp mop; laminates can only be cleaned with a dry mop or a vacuum cleaner.
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent choice for all kinds of durability, including superb scratch resistance.
Although Pergo is laminate, it is not waterproof. However, it is water-resistant, giving Pergo floor owners a 30-minute period to clean up spills without leaving lasting damage.
While laminate flooring has many strong points, its most significant downside is its poor resistence to water. Laminate flooring can tolerate some water on top surface but it should not be allowed to pool and remain for long. Otherwise, the water may seep below and affect the sensitive core layer.
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.
Generally speaking, vinyl sheet flooring will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, while vinyl plank and tile flooring will last 15 to 20 years. The thickness of its wear layer vastly impacts vinyl flooring's lifespan, so pay attention to this detail when purchasing your flooring.