When you want to install flooring, there are several factors you should consider.
Choosingflooring typescan be challenging.
Not forgetting that they offer value
Both Vinyl and laminate have their differences and resemblance.
Differentiating their features can be hard and can take your time.
In this article
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a jot down of synthetic flooring consisting of four layers.
The layers undergo a particular process to bind them together.
The synthetic materials comprise wood with a top layer consisting of other materials.
The first layer of laminate iswear or overlay.
Wear gives laminate the shine and the uniform surface.
Its got many characteristics that can contribute to your floors durability.
The overlay gives the flooring a coating that prevents damages like scratches.
The damages can result from friction either when you pull a chair on it or your pet clawing.
It also protects the decorative paper coat from possible damage like sunburns.
When you expose laminate flooring to excess sunlight, theyll fade, giving them a bad look.
The second layer is the high-qualitydecorative paper.
It contains great design, making laminate flooring unique.
It can also produce a natural real look of grass, leaves, or artwork.
Laminate flooring third layer is theHDF core.
The board is a high-density fiberboard (HDF) plus a medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
The boards are of softwood, which is split then mixed with wax and glue.
Then the boards undergo heating under high pressure to form the panels.
The bottom layer of laminate flooring is thebacker paper, which helps the board balance.
It covers the bottom of the laminate board, protecting it from moisture or water.
When you opt for laminate flooring, you wont regret it since its cheap with great design.
Its also durable, meaning it will last longer if you maintain it in good shape.
Installing laminate flooring is also easy, so that it’s possible for you to do it by yourself.
It can also repel stains and will not give you a hard time while cleaning.
With laminate flooring, youll give your floor a new beautiful look thats attractive.
What Is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooringis a synthetic floorboard consisting of polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC).
The process of making vinyl flooring involves heating tiny pieces of PVC materials.
Afterward, they undergo pressing to make thin layers that attach.
The thin layers then form pliable vinyl sheets.
With vinyl flooring, you might change thecolor and texture to look like woodor ceramic.
Most people confuse vinyl with laminate flooring.
But laminate comprises natural materials, unlike the synthetic components of vinyl flooring.
Vinyl flooring has four layers, each with a function.
Thewear layeris a clear coat of urethane that makes vinyl flooring strong and waterproof.
Then theres the higher traffic.
It ranges between 12mil to 20mil, which suits a home with kids and active pets.
The heavy traffic is over 20 mils suitable for floors of busy business premises.
The second layer is theprint layer.
Its responsible for the beautiful design you see on vinyl flooring.
The layer has decorations and patterns which are visible through the top layer.
The rigid core is the strong board that is waterproof.
The core can be of stone plastic composite (SPC).
The rigid core is much stronger, heavy, and firm.
Wood-plastic compact (WPC) is also another material composition of the core layer.
The bottom layer of vinyl flooring is the underlayment.
The layer comprises fiberglass, rubber, and foam.
It gives vinyl flooring protection from sound and moisture and also makes it durable.
The underlayment comes in two forms.
Either when its pre-attached with vinyl flooring or as a separate material.
There are two types of vinyl flooring.
The first is theplank vinylthats a long thin piece that can interlock, resembling hardwood.
Thevinyl planksare beautiful, cheap, and easy to fix.
The other jot down istile vinyl.
Tile vinyl has either interlocking or groutable design methods.
Tile vinyl is a good replacer of ceramic or stone flooring, which is expensive.
The vinyl flooring designs include wood, stone, and slate.
Theres also ceramic, marble, and porcelain tile vinyl designs.
To install vinyl flooring, you could use the floating method.
The method involves interlocking or fitting the planks tight.
it’s possible for you to roll out the planks by yourself because its easy to fix.
The fixing also doesnt need any equipment like nails or glue.
When you install through the glue-down method, you need a binder to seal the subfloors board.
Expect to spend more time while using this method.
The other method of fixing vinyl flooring, peel, and stick, which is an easy method.
When you choose this method of flooring, it will come with a binder on the floorboards.
So, all you oughta do is stick them on the subfloor by pressing them in the right place.
The Similarities
People confuse vinyl with laminate because they have similarities that make them resemble.
It can be challenging for you to note the similarities if youre not careful.
Read along to get all the resembles vinyl and laminate flooring.
Both floorings are attractive with unique qualities that you cant differentiate.
Manufacturers of these floorings are competing to give their customers the best designs.
Suppose you love the look of the natural aesthetic of hardwood but cant afford it.
Youll be having a cheaper option with the same beauty here.
For instance, laminate flooring has a wood-like appearance with great patterns and colors.
Installing floorings is an easy process that you’re able to do alone.
All you need is to prepare well for the installation process to avoid messing.
When you implement the flooring by yourself, youll be saving on costs.
Durable Choice
Whenever youre installing flooring, you always look for the pop in that will last.
With vinyl and laminate floorings, youre sure about their strength.
Both vinyl and laminate can go for days without scratches or peels.
But you have to handle them well.
You should ensure they fit well to prevent creating space for water leakage.
This is because theyre strong and durable.
Cleaning of vinyl or laminate floors is also easy, meaning youll be saving on time.
You only need to mop, sweep, or vacuum the floor to have it clean.
Cheap Options
The cost of buying and installing vinyl or laminate flooring is cheaper.
You will spend less on both of them than other flooring options.
The two are also cheap to install.
Both laminate and vinyl are beautiful and durable.
Like the other floorings, you wont go wrong if you go for the cheaper option.
Major Differences
Although people assume both floorings resemble, theres a major difference between the two.
Well help you understand the major difference if you want to choose the best key in between the two.
Material Composition
Theres a major difference in what vinyl and laminate flooring is made up of.
The material that laminates flooring consists of ishardwood pieces.
It also has four layers, each with its function of protecting the flooring from wear.
The layers of laminate flooring form a thick board ranging between 6mm to 12mm.
Vinyl is a PVC meaning its more of a plastic than wood, which has a urethane coating.
It has four layers, which include fiberglass that has a plastic seal.
The layers make vinyl strong flooring, which can withstand any condition.
Vinyl planks are about 1.5 mm to 5mm thick.
Vinyl has a synthetic composition that makes it able to withstand any condition.
It means you’re free to fix vinyl flooring in your living room, bathroom, and kitchen.
You wont worry about moisture damaging your floor if you install vinyl.
But, with laminate flooring, you have limitations.
Laminate flooring will disappoint you if you install it in your bathroom or mudroom.
How They Appear
Theyre a great difference in how laminate and vinyl appear in the human eye.
Laminate flooring gives you a deep 3-D wood-like look that seems so real.
Vinyl, though, can give a realistic look.
It wont match that of a laminate look unless the core is thick.
Resistance to Water or Heat
Laminate flooring comprises wood materials at its core.
Meaning its prone to getting soft or swell if it comes to contact with water.
Once it absorbs water, it will not keep its original size after it dries up.
The top layer of laminate flooring can even peel after it stays longer in water.
And when it spoils, you have to replace them.
The same applies when you expose laminate flooring to extreme heat.
It will wear off, causing damages.
Vinyl flooring has plastic coatings, which makes it water-resistant.
The cost varies according to size and thickness.
For vinyl, low quality goes for $2 for each square foot.
The medium quality will cost you $5 per square foot.
And the high-value vinyl costs $7 for each square foot.
Youll spend $3 to $10 per square foot to install vinyl.
Laminate lowest quality goes for $1 per square foot.
The cost of installing laminate stands between $3 to $10 for any quality per square foot.
Quick Comparison
Which Is Better, Vinyl or Laminate Flooring?
Use
Both vinyl and laminate have their uses depending on their features and your choice.
The synthetic materials make it resist water and moisture.
Laminate is not water-resistant, meaning if it gets into contact with water, it will spoil.
You cannot install laminate in your bathroom or mudroom.
The best flooring which you’re free to use regardless of the environmental condition is vinyl.
you’re free to fix it in your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom.
Sizes
Vinyl and laminate floorboards come in various sizes; that vary in length and width.
The boards width ranges between 4-8 inches, and their length falls between 36-48 inches.
Since vinyl is soft, you might sub-divide it into smaller pieces.
Going by their sizes, laminate offers the best flooring size.
Vinyl flooring has great designs with various color combinations and touch than laminate.
It also includes cool patterns with beautiful stripes.
Appearance
Most homeowners prefer flooring that gives them a real wood-like look.
The reason why they opt for the two floorings is that both meet their demands and are cheap.
In this relation, vinyl doesnt contain wood.
However, its manufacturers venture to incorporate a realistic look through technology.
If you want the best flooring going by appearance, choose laminate.
Laminate will give you a 3D look with a photographic layer, which is attractive.
But vinyl is a PVC that can repel water.
Meaning it can survive in water without swelling or peeling.
Vinyl is the best choice of waterproof flooring owing to its characteristics.
Heat Resistant
When youre planning to install flooring, you should go for one that wont disappoint.
Laminate flooring can swell when you expose it to high temperatures damaging it.
But because its a wood byproduct, it can withstand the heat of up to 86 degrees.
Vinyl flooring has plastic material compositions, which is a poor conductor of heat.
So, both can be better heat resistant.
Choose laminate flooring because its top layer consists of an aluminum oxide coat.
Making the floor stain resistant.
But the best stain resistant flooring is vinyl.
Vinyl is waterproof and can repel any liquid spill.
Care
When cleaning laminate flooring, you should dry clean to avoid water contact.
Laminate flooring is not waterproof so that that water will damage it.
The best flooring which is easy to care for is vinyl.
Its also water-resistant, so it will give you an easy time caring for it.
Between vinyl and laminate, the one thats durable and easy to clean should be the best in maintenance.
It also takes time before they scratch, so you wont have to repair the dents often.
Installation
People prefer flooring that can save them the cost of installation.
And if possible, the pop in of flooring they can fix it themselves.
Both laminate and vinyl dont need much when installing.
But then they offer various fixing methods.
But with laminate, youll need more elaborate tools to install, and the methods also take time.
The best installation option is vinyl, as its not demanding.
Fixing it also needs fewer tools.
Vinyl flooring also goes for the same price range meaning the cost of buying both materials is the same.
The cost of installing both floorings is also the same, so none beats the other in their pricing.
Durability
Laminate flooring can last long.
However, they start fading and swelling, especially If you expose them to water.
With vinyl, the material composition makes it durable.
So, vinyl can stay long without spoiling.
For the best flooring option relating to durability, vinyl wins.
Lifespan
The lifespan of vinyl flooring cango up to 20 years.
At the same time, The warranty for laminate flooring falls between 10 to 25 years.
If you compare the two warranties, youll realize theyre almost the same.
What matters here is how you take care of them.
For example, you should keep laminate flooring dry to increase its lifespan.
Environmentally Friendly
For many years vinyl had a bad name regarding environmental degradation.
But now the manufacturers are trying to work on it.
Its hard recycling vinyl because the PVC material is solid and cant decompose.
But the laminate is wood which you could recycle to make a new product.
It makes the best environmentally friendly flooring.
The dents can harm your pets.
Both Vinyl and laminate are perfect for pets.
But the superior choice is vinyl since its waterproof and scratch-resistant.
The pets scratches cant damage the flooring.
It also has a foam underlayment, which will double comfort.
Laminate beats vinyl flooring in comfort since vinyl fixing is on top of the subfloor, making it cold.
Sound
Ensure the throw in of flooring you install in your home doesnt echo back sound.
The best flooring that can absorb sound is vinyl.
Vinyl flooring has a bottom layer known as underlayment, which protects the floor from the sound.
The flooring should attract potential buyers or people who want to rent the building.
Go for vinyl, which is capable of giving you unique designs that are attractive.
Ensure you go for high-quality vinyl to lift your home resale value.
you’re able to go by what most people love for their flooring.
In this case, vinyl flooring is the peoples taste making it the top brand.
But ensure you go for a high- quality brand.
For instance, if youve vinyl and laminate, youll have difficulty picking on the best.
Both vinyl and laminate have similarities, and most people confuse them.
Ensure you look at each floorings quality, design, and color.
Dont forget to go for the jot down it’s possible for you to afford.
Other comparision guides:
