When considering a new floor for your home or business, you must consider more than looks. While your floors should complement the rest of your home, the goal is to find a floor option that functions the best in the room you’re installing it in and fits your budget. Two popular flooring options are laminate and vinyl plank.
Both vinyl plank and laminate are beautiful and affordable hardwood alternatives. Further, research shows that hard surface flooring like laminate and vinyl can improve your health by reducing allergens, indoor dust and asthma-aggravating particulates. In other words, you can enhance your space’s beauty and air quality with an attractive, affordable hard flooring update.
Are laminate and vinyl flooring the same? At a glance, luxury laminate flooring and high-quality vinyl look similar, but they each come with their own pros and cons depending on your preferences and needs. Check out our comparison guide to understand what the difference is between laminate and vinyl flooring and determine which flooring type is the best investment for your lifestyle and budget.
Laminate flooring is a synthetic and wood byproduct hybrid-material surface. It is made of a resin-fused fiberboard base topped with a decorative image and a transparent protective finish.
Laminate is composed of four distinct layers:
Laminate floors have come a long way since their origins in 1977 when the Swedish company Perstorp developed laminate flooring that spurred a new company and product called Pergo. This product was made using wood byproducts, pressure, heat and binding chemicals. It inspired the new approach to synthetic and hybrid flooring now seen in commercial buildings and residences worldwide. Today, several manufacturers offer attractive and durable laminate floor options, including Armstrong Flooring, Chesapeake Flooring, Carolina Home, Mohawk and Shaw Floors.
Vinyl flooring is an engineered synthetic surface that is durable and waterproof. It first became popular in the mid-20th century. It traditionally comes in sheets or tiles and has the design versatility to resemble wood, stone, tile and other materials.
Wood plastic composite vinyl (WPC) flooring uses a glueless plank system for installation. Even though it has “wood” in its name, this material is made of plastic composites or a mixture of wood pulp and plastic. Its layers form thicker vinyl flooring that is stable and strong. WPC flooring features four layers:
Rigid core vinyl flooring, sometimes known as stone plastic composite (SPC) flooring, is solid. This option is less comfortable underfoot than WPC flooring, but its durability makes it ideal for high-traffic or commercial spaces. This resilient floor’s core is enhanced to provide optimal performance. Rigid core vinyl has four layers:
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a flexible, water-resistant composite flooring that uses 3D printing technology to replicate the appearance of hardwood floors.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) replicates the look and physical texture of stone. The differences between WPC and SPC rigid core flooring and LVP flooring include that LVP:
Laminate and LVP are generally comparable in appearance, as they both offer dimensional embossing to mimic various textures of natural wood. Laminate flooring is designed to click together and float, making it ideal for quick, glueless installation. LVP flooring requires adhesive. While LVP may not be completely waterproof, it’s more water-resistant than laminate flooring, making it a longer-lasting option against moisture and spills.
Advances in synthetic home finishes are getting better all the time, and flooring is undoubtedly proving its value. According to a floor industry review by Floor Covering News, installation of resilient flooring like vinyl and laminate has increased more than 185% since 2010, holding more than 22% of the total flooring market in volume thanks to advances in luxury products like LVP.
When it comes to differentiating vinyl plank versus laminate flooring, their looks and installation methods are similar. The critical difference is found in their cores. Laminate is made from wood byproducts, making it susceptible to water, while vinyl is made from 100% synthetic material, resulting in moisture-safe planks.
When deciding what type of flooring is better between laminate and vinyl, there are many factors to consider. These 13 differences can help answer your question of whether to choose vinyl flooring or laminate.
Vinyl and laminate offer similar looks in photo printing and texture, so you really can’t go wrong with either option.
Laminate offers photorealistic imagery of natural materials and deeper 3D wood textures, like aged, hand-scraped, wire-brushed, smooth or distressed hardwood planks. This may give laminate an advantage over vinyl in the appearance category if you want your flooring to look as realistic as possible. Laminate can look like oak, maple, cherry, hickory, birch, walnut, American cherry, Brazilian, acacia and many other wood species.
Vinyl flooring certainly can trick the eye with its photographic image layer. Thicker, higher-quality vinyl options like LVP can more closely mimic the feel of natural wood as the thickness allows for deeper embossing.
While both laminate and vinyl flooring are durable, vinyl is known for its toughness. It can stand up to high traffic demands, making it an excellent choice for living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, work studios and commercial spaces.
Laminate is a low-maintenance, durable flooring option. Over time, laminate can delaminate, especially if it’s exposed to water. Laminate is water-resistant but not waterproof, so its durability lessens in damp or spill-prone areas. While scratch-resistant, scratches and chips can happen. If minor scratches occur, you can fix the laminate with a floor repair kit.
Over time, self-stick vinyl tiles can shift or loosen. Lower-quality vinyl could delaminate in high-wear, moisture-prone areas if not installed or maintained correctly. Heavy furniture can cause denting, and heavy objects should be lifted and never dragged across the floor. Vinyl is exceptionally resilient to wear and scratches — if durability is your top priority, vinyl is a superior flooring surface.
Both vinyl and laminate floors are durable and easy to maintain. While vinyl can handle standing liquid spills better than laminate, both flooring surfaces are extremely stain resistant.
Laminate flooring uses aluminum oxide in its protective top layer for superior stain resistance. Laminate doesn’t need waxing and generally retains its beauty and shine. If the surface does dull over time with wear, you can use laminate-specific products to restore shine. You can fill chips and scratches using laminate putties and other repair products.
The top layer of vinyl flooring is coated with a durable, clear urethane to resist stains and wear. There is no need to use wax or polish on vinyl floors, which can cause a dull surface with buildup. Regular cleaning with mild cleaners will maintain vinyl flooring’s shine.
While laminate is water-resistant, vinyl is waterproof. Keep this in mind when selecting flooring options for different parts of your home or business. Vinyl is the safer option when it comes to choosing between vinyl or laminate flooring for basements or other damp and spill-prone areas like bathrooms.
Because laminate flooring uses a wood product as its core, it can swell and soften if exposed to extreme humidity, water or liquid spills. Once dried, the fiberboard may not resume its original dimensions, causing it to remain permanently warped. Clean up water and other liquid spills immediately, as laminate cannot tolerate standing pools of water.
Today’s advanced vinyl flooring is made from 100% polymer materials, making new vinyl flooring options truly waterproof — they can be fully immersed in water and dried out while remaining completely unaffected.
Note that neither floor options are very heat resistant. The top layer of laminate and vinyl can burn if you drop something extremely hot onto its surface. Further, if the room laminate is in changes from hot to cold frequently, it could expand and contract. These temperature fluctuations don’t affect vinyl as much, though extreme heat can cause it to expand.
Overall, it’s best to install laminate and vinyl in insulated rooms that experience consistent temperatures to ensure they last several years.
When comparing laminate to vinyl flooring for pets, vinyl is the better choice, though both are pet-friendly options. When comparing the water and scratch resistance of vinyl vs. laminate flooring, vinyl better withstands the long-lasting wear and tear of animals in the home.
While durable, laminate can be scratched by a pet’s claws. If your pet is known for spilling water during feeding times or is prone to accidents, be prepared to closely monitor and clean up any liquid spills quickly to prevent permanent damage to the flooring.
The scratch resistance of vinyl makes this flooring tough enough to withstand the long claws of dogs and the evening zooms of cats. As a pet-friendly choice, luxury waterproof vinyl plank flooring is safe from water dish spills and pet accidents, even if you don’t catch them right away.
Laminate and vinyl floors are easy to clean. Protect laminate floors from moisture using dry cleaning methods instead of wet mopping. Avoid steam cleaning both flooring options to safeguard the flooring adhesives from heat. Remember that water can cause damage to laminate flooring, so address any liquid spills immediately to prevent damage.
To more thoroughly clean laminate floors, use a slightly damp, almost dry-to-the-touch mop with mild, laminate-safe cleaning products. To remove difficult stains, carefully use acetone. Vinyl is easy to care for and clean. Because vinyl is waterproof, you can use a wide array of dry or wet cleaning methods — sweep with a broom, use a dry mop, vacuum, scrub difficult spots or use a wet mop with vinyl-safe cleaning products.
While some homeowners opt to install laminate and vinyl themselves, having a professional handle your installation process ensures proper steps are taken to uphold warranties, extend the life span of your floor and create a polished final product.
Laminate flooring uses a click-and-lock method of installation. The tongue of one flooring plank fits into the groove of an adjacent plank, coming together with a folded-down clicking action. Vinyl planks also use the click-and-lock method. Sheet vinyl and LVP are different, as these options may require adhesive.
What is the cost of laminate flooring vs. vinyl plank flooring? Compared to natural hardwood floors, which require diligent cleaning and waxing to protect and maintain their beauty, vinyl and laminate flooring options are affordable in material cost and upkeep. With modern advances in image quality and believable texture, you can experience the look and feel of a wood floor for less money, leaving room in your budget for other home improvements.
The price of laminate flooring depends on the material thickness and design style. Installed costs range from $3 to $7 per square foot. Sheet vinyl flooring is an economical option, costing as little as $1 per square foot for thin, glue-down material. For installed flooring, vinyl ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot.
Both laminate and vinyl flooring are long-lasting materials. Depending on the location, flooring chosen and installation method, laminate and vinyl can last a decade or longer with proper care. As long as laminate flooring is safe from water and moisture, when properly cared for and professionally installed, it can last between 15 and 25 years.
The life span of vinyl flooring depends on style and installation type. Interlocking vinyl floors can last from 10 to 20 years, while glue-down vinyl flooring can last much longer — potentially up to 50 years if well maintained. Vinyl is also unaffected by moisture, making this a longer-lasting option for bathrooms and basements.
Standing on laminate and vinyl will feel rigid and less warm than hardwood floors, but material and installation choices can help create a comfortable feeling. When combined with a felt or foam underlayment, laminate floors can provide a more comfortable, quiet experience to walk on.
Unlike the sound-absorbent effect of walking on hardwood, walking on laminate floors can produce an empty, hollow sound. A high-quality underlayment can reduce this hollow sound and enhance warmth retention. Unlike hardwood, you can also install laminate over radiant heating systems.
Vinyl flooring is often installed on top of ceramic tile or concrete, making the surface feel hard on the feet, especially glued-down vinyl sheet flooring. Because vinyl is installed without an underlayment, it is colder on bare feet than laminate. With proper installation, you can incorporate radiant heat under vinyl flooring.
While vinyl and laminate are regarded as lower cost than natural materials, professionally installed laminate and vinyl floors, especially LVP, are desired by homebuyers depending on their lifestyles and aesthetic preferences. Well-chosen laminate and vinyl floors are stylish, easy to maintain and add considerable resale value to your home or investment property.
New, high-quality laminate flooring is beautiful and durable. As long as it’s in good condition, in style and installed correctly, laminate floors can lend extra resale value to a home. Vinyl flooring is esteemed for its resiliency and practicality by families with pets or young children.
With resale in mind, avoid installing low-quality, thin vinyl flooring, which home seekers may consider an immediate home-improvement project. Instead, stick with premium LVP to wow prospective buyers.
When it comes to choosing flooring material by room, consider the use of the space and how much moisture it’ll encounter. Vinyl can be used throughout the entire home, while laminate should be limited to moisture-free areas.
When considering laminate or vinyl flooring for bedrooms or living rooms, laminate is warmer and more comfortable underfoot than vinyl, so it’s an excellent choice for living rooms and bedrooms. Use laminate in spaces where there’s little to no risk of spills, dampness or moisture. Avoid bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, basements and potentially kitchens.
Waterproof vinyl flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic, damp environments, spills and splashes. Due to its rugged, waterproof nature, vinyl is ideal for bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms, basements, entryways and more.
The sale of resilient flooring like vinyl and laminate has seen steady growth, including a 30.3% increase in 2021. This growth is expected to continue as demand for resilient flooring in both residential and commercial applications increases. Resilient flooring is cost-effective, durable and excellent for heavy traffic because it reduces noise and requires low maintenance. These factors make it the perfect selection for many applications.
If you’re trying to decide whether vinyl or laminate is suitable for you, this quick pros and cons list can help:
Some of the pros of vinyl flooring include:
Some of the pros of vinyl flooring include:
Vinyl flooring cons depend on your preferences but might include:
Laminate flooring offers several advantages, including:
Cons you may want to weigh include:
The best flooring option comes down to your budget, lifestyle, preferences and priorities. Both laminate and vinyl options are cost-effective, stylish alternatives to hardwood and other natural flooring choices. Cost is relatively comparable between these two flooring materials — you can find vinyl pricing lower than laminate and vice-versa, depending on style and quality level.
The key differences between vinyl and laminate flooring are their material. Both are layered flooring options, though they feature varying components that make them unique from one another. As a quick refresher, other key differences between laminate and vinyl are:
To ultimately decide between laminate and vinyl, you need to consider the lifestyle of your household. Ask yourself the following questions:
If your lifestyle and household require waterproof flooring that stands up against continuous wear and tear, you might find vinyl to be the most suitable. If moisture isn’t a factor and it’s paramount that your floors are comfortable and believably look and feel like the texture of natural hardwood, laminate may be an excellent choice for you.
Whether you’re ready to dive into your flooring project or need a little help making final selections, Metro Flooring Contractors is here for you. Serving homes and businesses in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the experts at Metro Flooring Contractors are ready to answer all your flooring questions.
As a business with over 25 years of experience in flooring installation, Metro Flooring Contractors is committed to providing superior service at an affordable rate. With our price-match guarantee on major brands, convenient financing options and fast installation turnaround, you can trust us with your flooring investment.
Schedule your free in-home appointment today to discuss your project ideas. We’ll send one of our professional contractors to your home to bring the showroom to you and measure and review flooring samples.
