Is Vinyl Click Flooring Better Than Laminate Flooring?
When deciding between laminate and vinyl flooring, it’s important to consider how much water these two surfaces will hold. Laminate can stand up to a short period of standing water, but it will not tolerate prolonged exposure to water. As such, it’s not a good choice for active areas of the home, such as a bathroom. Luxury vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is made of 100-percent polymer materials, making it waterproof and resistant to damage.
Both vinyl and laminate come in environmentally friendly options. Both can earn LEED credit and be recycled. While laminate can be a little more expensive, the price of both products is similar. Therefore, you can save money on both options by looking for a product that’s affordable and easy to install. Both options are equally easy to clean and are great for busy homes. The main difference between laminate and vinyl is in the amount of maintenance required.
Although both types of flooring are incredibly durable, laminate flooring offers a more comfortable feeling underfoot. This can make a difference in your decision, so consider this aspect before you purchase either one. As a general rule, laminate is softer underfoot, while vinyl tends to be cold and hard. This is important to keep in mind when choosing flooring for your main living area. And remember that the thickness of the material will determine the overall comfort level.
While the price difference between the two types of laminate and vinyl flooring is significant, there are several advantages to both types. Laminate is more durable than vinyl, but it’s not waterproof. Both flooring options need to be installed on a solid subfloor. Choosing the right one will make all the difference in the world in the long run. If you have a heavy-duty commercial environment, vinyl is the best choice.
While there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of flooring, you may be happier with one type over the other. You can choose floating laminate flooring, which doesn’t need any glue or nails, or glued down vinyl. And if you’d like to use a glue-down product, you can consider gluing down the flooring over the existing floor. Then, you can choose to install vinyl plank flooring, which is thicker than tile and usually locks together using a tongue-and-groove system.
The main advantage of vinyl over laminate flooring is its durability and resistance to staining. Both laminate and vinyl are coated with transparent urethane layers that resist stains. In addition to being more durable, vinyl flooring can also be more environmentally friendly, while laminate is not recycled. Vinyl, on the other hand, produces harmful chemicals when it is heated. Hydrogen chloride and acetone are toxic. Choosing vinyl over laminate flooring is a matter of preference and personal preference.
Although there are many advantages of vinyl flooring over laminate, they have distinct disadvantages. Although laminate is the less expensive option, it does have a wider range of prices. The price of seven-millimeter planks can be $1.75 to $5 per square foot. Luxury vinyl planks can cost $14 per square foot. You should also be aware of installation costs when making a decision. There are no real disadvantages to vinyl click flooring over laminate.
Although vinyl and laminate have their advantages, both materials are equally durable and easy to install. While both have their benefits, vinyl offers a wider range of styles and colors than does laminate. Furthermore, the latter is easier to maintain and clean and has a higher resale value. Those who are not DIYers will likely find the vinyl planks easier to install. You can even choose a DIY option, which makes it perfect for those who are new to the flooring business.
The main difference between vinyl flooring and laminate flooring is that it’s not made entirely of wood. Its planks are made of plastic and are printed with a design, often mimicking wood. While laminate has wood in its core, it’s a byproduct of wood that is bonded together with resin. The design is then printed over a photographic layer. As with vinyl flooring, laminate uses modern printing techniques to create realistic looking designs.