It’s no surprise that most clients choosing flooring focus on looks first. Hey! We completely understand; we are also interior design professionals, after all.
However, with the wide range of amazing flooring products out there, high-end flooring companies know that function (and materials) always supersede form when matching the right flooring product with our clients’ lifestyles.
Laminate Flooring or Vinyl? Which is Best For You?
So, when people aren’t sure about the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring products – and they start browsing through samples – we like to have a little heart-to-heart about laminate vs. vinyl.
Understanding the differences helps clients make better choices about which product is most appropriate for their home or for a particular location in their home.
Laminate Patterns Are 100% Wood-Inspired
Laminate flooring products replicate a wood floor. There are no other pattern choices available. However, within the wood-esque flooring realm, laminate floors have products replicating the same wood species available in natural and engineered wood floors.
Laminate flooring is thicker than vinyl plank flooring, and it’s made using a high-compression wood core injected with resins. The resins create the waterproofing features that are essential for homes in Florida, and that is covered with a detailed graphic design of “real wood.”
The under-side of the laminate planks is covered with melamine, which protects the product from moisture inherently produced in the subfloor as the result of fluctuations in temperature and humidity – as well as the occasional spill or accident – and the moisture from routine mopping.
Finally, the top printed layer of laminate flooring is protected with aluminum oxide, which is a harder and more scratch/dent-resistant finish than the urethane used to finish vinyl planks.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Replicates Both Wood & Stone
On the other hand, vinyl flooring products are made to replicate natural wood as well as natural stone. The flooring industry refer to these as SPC (stone polymer core) or WPC (wood polymer core).
- SPC: Planks that replicate stone products have a core base made from limestone. These are slightly harder underfoot, just as real stone tile would feel.
- WPC: These planks have a compressed wood core. This makes them slightly softer and sound absorbant.
Vinyl planks come in different thicknesses, affecting their durability and longevity. If you’re using different flooring products, such as vinyl wood planks down a hallway and vinyl stone planks in a bathroom, differences in thickness impact how the floors transition from one room to another.
These are the types of things we’ll talk about and address during your design consultations (and why professional flooring installation is so important) to ensure all of your flooring choices work well together and facilitate safe transitions from space to space.
Vinyl planks are considered durable, but because their finished with a urethane coating, which is softer than the aluminum oxide used to finish laminate, they will eventually show scratches, dents, or the marks of normal wear-and-tear – especially in higher-traffic areas.
Different Installation Techniques Are Used
Another difference between laminate and vinyl plank flooring materials is how they’re installed. The underlayments vary depending on your budget and goals, which should consider things like moisture protection and sound transference.
Vinyl planks are usually easier and faster to install, which may reduce labor costs. Laminate flooring is considered a “floating floor” because the planks click and lock together. Vinyl plank installation depends on the method used. Some products are made to float using a similar click-and-lock method, while others are glued directly to the subfloor.
Creative Floors Design Pros Can Walk You Through Your Choices
High-quality flooring should last for decades, especially when you invest in luxury vinyl plank or laminate products. However, that type of longevity is only possible when you work with flooring professionals and installers who can assess your space, discuss your lifestyle and long-term goals for your home, and explain why one product may work better than another.
Drop on by one of our Creative Floors showrooms or schedule an in-home consultation and estimate . We’ll be able to review the differences between vinyl plank and laminate flooring materials, and help you decide which one will look – and last – best in your home
