Vinyl and laminate floors are both great options for your home, but there are some differences between the two. Vinyl is more expensive than laminate but is also more durable and easier to clean. This type of flooring must be installed by professionals, or you can do it yourself with some practice. Laminate is less expensive than vinyl and easier to install because it comes in sheets that are glued together
If you need help deciding which option will work best for you, make sure to read on! There are lots of things to consider when choosing a flooring material.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a durable type of construction material. It is also easy to clean and comes in many different colours and patterns. It is usually installed over a layer of plywood and comes with its own surface protection like tiles or planks. Sometimes, it can be glued down directly to the subfloor without any layering material.
Vinyl flooring is water-resistant and will provide years of performance to your home. It works best in rooms that do not get too moist, such as kitchens and bathrooms. That’s because moisture will seep into the seams between boards and cause them to swell, buckle, and split apart under stress from foot traffic. Vinyl floors also come in different styles so you’ll be able to find something that meets your needs perfectly!
The most popular types of vinyl flooring are linoleum, sheet vinyl, and floating sheets that are glued together to form the flooring surface. Linoleum has an embossed design that gives it a very attractive look while still being relatively inexpensive. Sheet vinyl comes in many styles including wood, stone tile, ceramic tile, or even marble designs to give your room the perfect touch of style you have been looking for! Floating sheets are often chosen because they can be installed by homeowners themselves with some practice. The price range for these types of floors ranges from about $3 per square foot to over$10 per square foot.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is also a popular choice because it will not scuff or scratch and you can install it yourself without having to hire a professional contractor. It looks like natural wood and sometimes even better than natural wood! The surface on laminate is very hard so it’s durable enough for high traffic areas such as entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, or even high traffic hallways. This type of flooring comes in sheets that are glued together on top of a plywood subfloor and sometimes underlayment is used for vinyl floors. It is then finished off with a coating that makes it appear like natural wood.
Laminate flooring can be installed over most subfloors besides tile or stone. They are often chosen by homeowners to cover old floors that no longer look good. The price range for laminate flooring is about $2 per square foot to over $8 per square foot, depending on the quality of the product and the company that you choose.
A Comparison of Vynil and Laminate Flooring
Many people wonder what the difference is between vinyl and laminate flooring. The truth is that there are quite a number of differences, so let’s go through them one by one.
Cost and Durability
Vinyl flooring is more expensive than laminate but it’s also more durable and easier to clean. It has a thicker wear layer which helps protect it against staining, scratching, gouging, chipping, fading, and wearing down from heavy use. Sometimes, vinyl flooring can also be installed directly to the subfloor without any layering material which makes it neat and easy to do yourself.
Laminate flooring is less expensive than vinyl but more durable than carpeting with many different designs that range from wood to stone or ceramic tile. One of the most popular types of laminate flooring is wood laminate because it looks so much like the real thing! It’s also water-resistant and is a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms that get used frequently.
Installation
Vinyl floors are easy to install yourself with some practice or you can have them professionally installed by a contractor who specialises in this type of work. Laminate floors are also easy to install yourself with a little bit of practice! Both types of flooring must be installed over a sound subfloor that is free from cracks, gaps, and warpage.
Suitability
Vinyl flooring is best suited for rooms that do not get too moist such as kitchens and bathrooms. This type of flooring has a smooth surface that is easy to clean and it will not be damaged by standing water such as a sink or bathtub. It comes in many different colours, patterns, designs, and styles to give your room the perfect look you have been wanting.
Laminate flooring is also best suited for rooms that do not get too moist such as kitchens and bathrooms. It’s especially important to use this type of flooring in these rooms because it is water-resistant so it can withstand moisture better than carpeting. Laminate flooring comes with a protective wearing layer that protects against staining, scratching, gouging, chipping, fading, or everyday wear and tear from people walking on the surface.
Both vinyl and laminate flooring have their pros and cons. Vinyl is more expensive but it’s also stronger, easier to clean, and doesn’t need a subfloor. Laminate has the benefit of being cheaper than vinyl with many different styles that mimic natural wood or stone as well as water resistance for kitchens and bathroom floors. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative that looks great in high traffic areas such as entryways or hallways, then laminate may be the way to go! For those who want something durable enough for heavy-use rooms like living rooms or bedrooms but don’t mind spending a little bit extra on a premium product, then consider going with vinyl flooring instead!
Shirley Mist has been involved in fashion and design for many years. She has also written extensively for many online publications. She currently writes for The Tribune World and is a valued member of our team.