What is the difference between laminate and vinyl

This composition gives it superior resistance to moisture. For example, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

Some types of vinyl flooring are waterproof. For example, wood plastic and polymer composite WPC vinyl is waterproof. This is thanks to its composition of thermoplastics, wood flour, and calcium carbonate. It can be installed in areas where high moisture levels are present.

Other waterproof vinyl floor options include stone plastic composite SPC vinyl , made from natural limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizer. It is also known as rigid core vinyl. You can install it over many types of flooring as a floating floor.

When considering moisture exposure, in the vinyl vs laminate debate, vinyl flooring is a clear winner. Historically, many people considered vinyl aesthetically inferior to laminate. Now, however, vinyl has come a long way when it comes to style choices. You can find vinyl flooring that mimics the look and feel of stone, tile, and even wood floors with realistic accuracy.

Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring. Although it can last twice as long as laminate, vinyl flooring may involve a larger upfront investment. Laminate is a synthetic product that simulates the look of real hardwood. It can have an authentic wood floor appearance that make it popular with homeowners who like the style of hardwood but want to spend less money on flooring.

Although it is a budget-friendly flooring type, laminate does not perform well when it comes to moisture. Some types of laminate have water-resistant properties, but these flooring options are not waterproof and will become seriously damaged if water sits on them for an extended period of time. Sheet vinyl can be a difficult material for do-it-yourselfers to install.

The material is large, heavy, and unwieldy. Plus, it can be hard to make complicated cutouts from sheet goods. If you are installing sheet vinyl, professional installation is often your best bet. Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price, although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are usually less expensive than natural hardwood, engineered wood, and many types of ceramic or porcelain tile.

Laminate flooring warranties typically range from 10 to 25 years, but this is dependent on a rigorous maintenance schedule. Warranties on luxury vinyl flooring often range up to 20 years. As long as laminate flooring is kept reasonably dry and is regularly cleaned, buyers may expect lifespans close to that of vinyl flooring.

But laminate flooring still uses a plastic surface layer, and the melamine resins used in the creation of the core level are by no means green materials since they may off-gas chemicals. Vinyl flooring has improved its green stature in recent years. Vinyl is a synthetic material that is known to produce toxic chemicals when burned.

Vinyl does not decompose in landfills, and recycling it is usually not an option. If using green building materials is important to you, laminate flooring has a small advantage, thanks to the natural wood content of the fiberboard core. Still, neither of these materials is especially environmentally friendly in the way that natural wood, linoleum, or bamboo floor coverings are.

Laminate flooring is pressure-laminated with several layers, the top being a clear aluminum oxide layer that is superior for stain resistance. Quality vinyl flooring is coated with a transparent urethane layer that provides excellent stain-resistance.

Good quality, modern vinyl flooring and laminate flooring both receive wear layers treated with properties do an excellent job of resisting stains. Though laminate flooring does not feel like wood, it does have a warm feeling , especially when coupled with premium-quality underlayment. Vinyl floors of all types can feel cold or hard on the feet, especially when they are installed over concrete or existing ceramic tile floors. Laminate flooring products can feel somewhat hollow underfoot when compared to the wood floors they are supposed to mimic.

But when combined with either foam or felt underlayment, laminate flooring will be quieter, softer, and more comfortable to walk on. Premium laminate flooring can lend extra resale value to a home, as long as it is relatively new and in good condition. Major brand luxury vinyl plank flooring will bring decent resale value to a home. Inferior quality vinyl flooring will often be seen by buyers as a project-in-waiting once the house has closed sale.

Quality laminate flooring and vinyl flooring lend a comparable amount of value to a home. Neither brings the high-value prestige of solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, or designer ceramic tile or natural stone floors.

At the same time, quality laminate or vinyl flooring usually will not put off prospective home buyers. No flooring is universally better or worse than the other flooring.

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 on the basis of moisture-resistance. For dry areas, laminate flooring works well.

Buyers usually will find more style options with laminate flooring over vinyl flooring. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Even so, vinyl flooring generally will bring in a lower resale value than laminate flooring. High-quality laminate floor ranks below solid hardwood and engineered wood for resale value.

But laminate flooring still commands a higher resale value than most types of vinyl flooring. In a broad sense, vinyl and laminate flooring are interchangeable in residential applications.

Most factors that drive the decision are personal: Style options, textures and cost. 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. Lee is a home improvement writer and content creator. As a professional home expert and an avid do-it-yourselfer, he has decades of experience at fixing up and writing about houses.

Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Lee Wallender, Lexie Pelchen.

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