Installation is straightforward, they cost about the same, and both look greatso what is the difference?
Vinyl flooringalso made from several layersis entirely synthetic.
The sheet is then printed and embossed with a surface print layer.
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Multiple wear layers are applied, and a layer of no-wax polyurethane is applied on top.
Withvinyl plank flooring, the core is a thicker, multi-layer PVC.
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in planks or tiles that interlock side-to-side to form afloating floor.
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The thickness of vinyl flooring ranges from 1.5 mm for sheet vinyl to 5 mm for luxury vinyl planks.
What Is a Floating Floor?
It rests on top of the subfloor but does not become physically attached.
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Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring, which comes in plank style, looks similar to LVP.
The critical difference is that its core is made from wood byproducts bonded with resins.
As with plank vinyl, a built-in underlayment is an optionan increasingly popular choice among DIYers.
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Vinyl flooring isn’t necessarily known for its realistic looks, but LVP is the best of the bunch.
Thicker solid-core vinyl flooring will look more like wood, since deeper embossing is achievable.
However, sheet vinyl is the easiest on the wallet.
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Vinyl flooring can costas little as $1 per square foot for thin, glue-down vinyl flooring.
Prices rise to around $5 per square foot for LVP, and premium brands will cost even more.
Laminate flooring uses a wood fiberboard core that softens and swells whenexposed to water.
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It can tolerate water for short periods.
Warning
Just because a flooring material is waterproof doesn’t mean the structural elements below are protected.
If possible, water should always be removed immediately to avoid damage to the subfloor.
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However, vinyl won’t shrink or expand as drastically as laminate in extreme temperature fluctuations.
The top layer of laminated flooring could burn if an extremely hot object drops onto the surface.
However, laminate distributes radiant heat more efficiently than vinyl.
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Laminate expands and contracts and cannot tolerate constant temperature changes in a room.
Care and Cleaning
Vinyl flooring is the easiest to clean,allowing forwet moppingwhile laminate does not.
Laminate flooring is best cleaned with dry methods, such as a dry mop or broom.
If you gotta wet-clean laminate flooring, use a mop that feels almost dry to the touch.
Vinyl flooring’s strongest feature is that it is easy to look after.
Vinyl flooring in good condition can be wet-mopped and, if necessary, vigorously scrubbed with safe cleaning products.
If you’re looking for thebest pet flooring option, vinyl is the winner.
Laminate can be slippery and noisy under the “click-click” of large pet toenails.
Laminate flooring is durable and low maintenance.
Vinyl flooring is a rigid material that can withstand high-traffic demands.
Vinyl planks also use a click-and-lockmethod of installation.
However, vinyl flooring planks can be scored, bent, and cut with a utility knife.
Sheet vinyl flooring does have its disadvantages, though.
Laminate flooring warranties typically range from 10 to 25 years, depending on a rigorous maintenance schedule.
Warranties on luxury vinyl flooring often range up to 20 years.
However, it’s common to hear people walking on laminate, especially if they wear heels.
Vinyl floors feel cold and hard on the feet, especially when installed over concrete or ceramic tile.
However, vinyl flooring is quiet, and you rarely hear people walking on the material.
Premium laminate flooring can add extra resale value to a relatively new home that is in good condition.
Major luxury vinyl plank flooring brands will bring decent resale value to a home.
However, buyers may view cheap vinyl flooring as something they want to replace.
However, neither compares to theeco-friendlynature of natural wood, linoleum, orbamboo floors.
Some laminate flooring manufacturers use recycled wood to offer products that qualify for LEED MR4 (recycled content).
Stain Resistance
Laminate and vinyl flooring are both stain-resistantbecause of their treated wear layers.
The top layer of laminate flooring is a clear aluminum oxide layer that is superior for stain resistance.
Quality vinyl flooring is coated with a transparent urethane layer that provides excellent stain resistance.
Installation Areas: What Is Better?
Laminate flooring offers more style options but is not waterproof, making it undesirable for bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Vinyl and laminate flooring are similarly priced, though sheet vinyl is sometimes slightly less expensive.
Luxury vinyl options can be much more expensive than laminate.
By looking at the thickness, you might tell if your existing floor is laminate or vinyl.
Laminate is generally thicker.
Additionally, vinyl is waterproof, while laminate is not.
Finally, laminate will feel warmer and softer, while vinyl can feel cold and hard.
