What Are Vinyl Flooring and Laminate Flooring?
Vinyl flooring and laminate flooring share many similarities. The main differences between laminate and vinyl are the materials that each are made from. And while you may choose one flooring over the other according to your specific needs, neither flooring’s traits rank higher than the other across the board.
Vinyl flooring is a synthetic waterproof product made up of thin layers of compressed materials. It’s available in a soft, flexible plank, semi-flexible plank and a rigid core plank.
Laminate flooring is a versatile product made up primarily of wood or stone composites, making it a sustainable and recyclable product. Laminate planks contain four layers of material pressed together under high temperatures. It offers a wider variety of styles than vinyl and tends to have a higher resale value.
Vinyl and Laminate Material and Composition
Vinyl and laminate are both comprised of layers that are similar, however, they result in flooring that have different benefits.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a 100 percent synthetic product made primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It also contains plasticizers that make the PVC more pliable and flexible as well as stabilizers that help protect the vinyl from degradation over time. Vinyl is available as luxury vinyl planks (LVP), luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl sheets and peel-and-stick vinyl flooring. Vinyl has a minimum of four layers, however, there could be more, depending on the manufacturer. Typical vinyl flooring layers are:
- a backing layer, which may include built-in underlayment
- a thick core layer of PVC that provides support and stability
- a layer of decorative printed imagery mimicking wood, stone or other natural materials
- a wear layer that protects the floor, often with a UV coating to protect the floor from sun damage
For the best results in a residential setting, the wear layer’s thickness should be between 10- to 20-mil. Vinyl flooring is installed using three different methods: interlocking, glue-down and peel-and-stick.
Laminate
Laminate flooring mimics the look of real wood, tile or stone. It uses fewer raw materials than the manufacturing process of wood. Laminate layers consist of:
- a backing layer that protects the plank from moisture and provides support and stability
- a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core layer that protects against indentations in the plank
- a décor layer consisting of a detailed high-resolution photograph that replicates the look of wood, stone or tile
- a thick, transparent hard-sealed top wear layer that protects against everyday wear and tear
Each of these layers help make the floor strong, resistant to scratches and easy to maintain.
The most common method for installing laminate is interlocking and it’s also installed with the glue-down method.
Appearance and Style
Vinyl and laminate flooring both look great and they share similarities and differences.
Vinyl
Of the different types of vinyl flooring available, LVP offers the most realistic look. However, vinyl that has a thicker solid core can accommodate deeper embossing, making them look more like wood. Older vinyl and vinyl that is lower priced may not have as nice of an appearance of wood as newer vinyl flooring.
Laminate
Laminate is a desirable choice for people who want something that more closely resembles wood, stone or tile. It tends to have a higher quality look than vinyl. Laminate is available in a variety of colors, designs, styles, and textures, including hand scraped laminate for an authentic, rustic look and feel of wood. Laminate is available in a variety of wood grain textures and species, like cherry, maple, oak, etc., as well as simulating the look of stone or tile. It can be smooth or textured. Laminate plank flooring, which can be smooth or textured, is available in thickness from 7-millimeters to 12 millimeters.
Durability and Maintenance
For durability, you can’t go wrong with either vinyl or laminate. Both types of flooring stand up to busy households. However, because vinyl is waterproof, it has the edge over laminate.
Vinyl
Vinyl is extremely durable and can be used in any room in your home, including the bathroom and the laundry room. It’s also easy to maintain. Sweep the floor to remove any debris, and then go over it with a damp microfiber mop. For a deeper clean, use a commercial cleaner made specifically for vinyl.
Laminate
Maintaining laminate is easy as well. While laminate floors are water resistant, they can be damaged when water or other liquid soaks it so be sure to wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent panels from buckling. If a floor that's truly resistant to water is important to you, try waterproof laminate flooring.
Dry mopping laminate floors with a microfiber mop head is one way to keep it clean. Always dry mop prior to any cleaning so that dust and dirt particles aren’t ground into the floor’s surface. Laminate floors are also safe for robotic vacuums. Laminate can always be spot cleaned with a mild cleaner, but don’t use too much water. Never use an abrasive sponge on the floor. For cleaning of larger areas, use a product that’s made specifically for cleaning laminate. Small areas of damage can usually be fixed with a laminate repair kit.
Don’t wax or polish laminate flooring. Oil-based, abrasive and acidic products can cause damage to the floor.
For best results, refer to the cleaner’s manufacturer’s instructions before use.
While both vinyl and laminate are durable, there are several factors that will affect their lifespan, including the material’s quality, installation process and maintenance.
Cost
Both vinyl and laminate offer affordability, making them competitively priced. They both typically cost less than real hardwood, and porcelain or ceramic tile.
Vinyl flooring ranges from $1.00 to $5.00 per square foot but expect to pay a bit more for higher quality vinyl flooring.
You can find laminate flooring at discount stores that range from $1 to $5 per square foot. Expect to pay up to $8 per square foot for name brand laminate flooring, with an average of $3.00 per square foot.
Installation costs vary by region, quality of the materials and contractors. Check your local area for installers that suit your budget.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl and Laminate
Because they’re different products, each type of flooring has advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Vinyl
- Affordable.
- DIY-friendly installation.
- Excellent choice for high-moisture environments.
- Exceptionally durable.
- Resists stains, scratches, dents, and dings.
- Resilient, giving the floor more elasticity and making it more comfortable to walk on.
- Easy to install if there’s a properly prepared underlayment.
Cons of Vinyl
- Known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be toxic.
- Can’t be refinished.
- Difficult to remove if the floor was applied with adhesive.
- It isn’t biodegradable or recyclable.
- Doesn’t add to the home’s resale value.
Pros of Laminate
- Affordable, budget-friendly, and less expensive than wood.
- Has the realistic look of wood and stone.
- DIY-friendly installation.
- Exceptionally durable and a viable choice for high-traffic areas.
- Easy to maintain.
- Stain-resistant.
- Excellent surface stability with minimal swelling.
Cons of Laminate
- Difficult to repair.
- Once the top layer is worn out, the floor will need to be replaced.
- Liquid oversaturation makes it unsuitable for bathrooms, laundry rooms and other places where moisture occurs.
- Can’t be refinished.
- If water damage occurs, it will need to be replaced.
Although laminate flooring is considered scratch-resistant, it does occasionally get minor scratches. To make spot repairs on small scratches and eliminate the need to replace boards, use a good quality laminate scratch repair kit. Large areas that are damaged will require the boards to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
Here are a few of the frequent asked questions that customers have that may help you make a decision to choose vinyl or laminate for your home.
Which is Better, Vinyl or Laminate Flooring?
The best flooring depends on your lifestyle and needs. While each type of flooring has its good qualities, some may outweigh the other. If you want something that adds to your home's resale value, go with laminate. If you want a waterproof flooring that you can install in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or other places where moisture occurs, vinyl is your best bet. Compare the qualities of both types of flooring to help you decide which is best for you.
What Lasts Longer, Vinyl or Laminate?
The longevity of both flooring materials are similar. Vinyl flooring is available in different thicknesses, making thicker, higher-quality vinyl a top contender that lasts up to 20 years. However, thinner laminate lower-quality vinyl only lasts 10 years or less. Laminate flooring has a lifespan of between 15 and 25 years. If not well-maintained, laminate flooring’s lifespan shrinks to about 10 years or less.
What Are the Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring?
While vinyl plank flooring has some pros and advantages, there are a few disadvantages. While some types of vinyl plank flooring are easy to install, others are more difficult for a DIYer and requires professional installation. Vinyl may also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be toxic, it isn’t biodegradable or recyclable, it can’t be refinished and it doesn’t add to the home’s resale value.
Does Vinyl Flooring Scratch Easier Than Laminate?
Laminate flooring scratches easier than vinyl. The good news, however, is that small scratches on both types of floors can be touched up with floor repair markers, crayons or kits.