Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring – LVP vs Laminate
Vinyl and laminate are two of the most popular options for easy-to-clean flooring. These floors share many similarities, but there are some important differences that you should consider when choosing which flooring option to install in your home. This guide will help you decide which floor to install in your home.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is more resistant to moisture than laminate. Vinyl flooring is entirely made from plastic, which makes it extremely resistant to moisture. Vinyl flooring will not be damaged by prolonged exposure to spills and splashes. Vinyl’s water resistance is a major advantage for damp rooms such as basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.
Vinyl flooring can be waterproofed in a variety of ways. Vinyl flooring made from wood plastic and polymer composite (WPC), is waterproof due to its combination of thermoplastics and wood flour. It can be used in areas with high moisture levels. Another waterproof vinyl flooring option is stone plastic composite vinyl (SPC), also known as rigid-core vinyl. It is made from natural limestone powder and polyvinyl chloride. You can install it as floating flooring over other types of flooring.
Many people consider vinyl to be inferior to laminate over the years. In recent years, vinyl has made great strides in terms of style options. Vinyl flooring can be made to look and feel like stone, tile, or wood floors.
Vinyl is also more durable than laminate and has a longer life span. Vinyl, especially luxury vinyl, can last twice as long as laminate but may require a higher upfront investment.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is a synthetic material that replicates the look and feel of real hardwood. Laminate is a popular choice for homeowners who want the look of real hardwood, but don’t have the money. While some laminates have water-resistance properties, they aren’t completely waterproof and can be damaged by water if left unattended for a long time.
Laminate has a superior comfort level underfoot, which is one of its major advantages over vinyl. Although it may not seem like an important factor in your decision making process, the comfort of your floor can make a huge difference in how you feel about walking on them. Laminate is thicker and contains wood content. Laminate feels warmer and softer. Vinyl, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult and cooler to the touch and so it is not a popular choice for bedrooms and living spaces.
Laminate is preferred by many homeowners to vinyl. Laminate flooring comes in many styles, colors and patterns. However, laminate is more realistic and often embossed. Laminate is preferred by homeowners for larger spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, and entryways.
Vinyl flooring has a longer life span than laminate flooring. Laminate flooring should be replaced every ten years. Laminate floors are less expensive than traditional hardwood floors, so you can change the look of your floors for less.
Laminate and vinyl, despite their differences, are very similar. A professional installer may be needed if you require a foam underlayment to laminate or vinyl sheeting. Laminate and vinyl can be installed as floating floors or with almost any subfloor. This allows you to do a DIY installation.
Both vinyl and laminate floors are easy to clean. These floors can be kept in great shape without the use of special cleaning products or machinery.