Flooring

Laminate and vinyl appear similar. And they are priced almost the same to each other. Regarding installation, both are quite easy to install for the casual Sunday warrior. But that’s about all you’re going to find in terms of similarities between laminate vs. vinyl flooring.

Laminate flooring is made up of high density fiberboard, which comes from recycled hardwoods. From a visual standpoint, laminate replicates the look and style of natural hardwood flooring. Best of all, your flooring costs can be reduced by half. Laminate is not ideal in places where it will be exposed to a high level of moisture or humidity, such as a bathroom. Being it is mostly a wood product, it might deteriorate and pop apart if exposed to excess moisture. Laminate is going to be best installed in climate-controlled areas.

Laminate flooring 

So, when some people hear “vinyl,” they immediately get turned off. Why? Because the vinyl flooring of the past really lacked design and style. Nowadays, vinyl comes in a plank style similar to laminate and hardwood flooring boards. It gained new life and sits right next to laminate flooring for ease of installation. And it’s waterproof! Unlike laminate flooring, vinyl offers complete protection in terms of moisture. Vinyl completely submerged in water for days will not lose its form or color.

Vinyl flooring 

Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring: Your Choice!

So now that we know the differences between laminate vs. vinyl flooring, it’s time to put our knowledge into action. Based on the fact vinyl is completely immune to moisture, it’s a lock for use in the bathroom. The bathroom sees the most moisture out of any room in the house on a day-to-day basis. Choosing luxury vinyl in here will save you headaches over time. If you are finishing the basement and looking for an alternative to tile or carpet, consider vinyl. A foundation may create moisture, so it’s a smart move to place vinyl down here also. Now, about the rest of the house? Laminate. Laminate flooring tends to provide better comfort, and also a more visually appealing option, without breaking the bank.

Now keep in mind both laminate vs. vinyl flooring weigh in at different densities. The more foot traffic the flooring is going to see, the higher millimeter size you will want. (A 12ml product will be more durable than an 8ml floor.) The thicker flooring not only helps with bending if the subfloor is uneven, but also noise reduction.

When looking for a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring without losing style choices, consider laminate or vinyl flooring. And if you want the accomplishment of installing it yourself, vinyl and laminate are a straightforward D-I-Y project. Both offer the flexibility and styles you want, while serving different roles in your home.

Update 2021: At this time, laminate flooring is no longer available at our stores.