Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring (Differences – Pros & Cons)

Here we explain the differences between laminate and vinyl flooring, including the pros and cons, and give useful tips for choosing the best option for your home.

Laminate and vinyl flooring are two excellent options when it comes to affordable flooring. Between size, choice of colour, maintenance and environmental considerations, many factors determine the use of vinyl or laminate floors in your interior.

Determine the different kinds of qualities you expect from sex and then compare them side by side. These two types of floors are in fact quite similar, although there are some important differences. Some of these differences are described below.

If laminate and vinyl are not suitable for a room, there are other options, such as B. Solid wood floors, which are compared at the very end and have some additional differences, especially in terms of price.

Difference between vinyl flooring and laminate flooring

Laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are two types of flooring that can be chosen for almost any room. Living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens or bedrooms in homes or even commercial spaces can be decorated with vinyl or laminate. Below is a detailed description of the two articles and their main differences.

Laminate floor

Kitchen with light laminate flooring. Other types of kitchen floors can be found here.

Laminate flooring is a synthetic product, but contains different types of wood in the middle. Laminate is made from different layers of this product, which are then fused together by laminating (hence the name).

The laminating process includes heating, pressing, welding and gluing. This process varies depending on the materials used. When considering laminating a floor, you can think of a simple paper lamination.

Laminates generally contain an inner core of resin and fibreboard as a filler. The floor covering is then laminated one or most likely several times. This increases the strength, stability and thermal insulation and improves the appearance of the floor.

In general, there are four layers of laminate flooring: The back layer, which protects against moisture, the subsequent core, the inner core mentioned above, the design layer, the colour photo, which is applied to the panels, and finally the wear layer, which is laminated together and protects against dirt, discolouration and burning.

Vinyl floors

Vinyl is a resin made by polymerizing vinyl compounds. Put simply, vinyl flooring is also a synthetic product, which is why laminate and vinyl floors are often compared with each other. Vinyl, on the other hand, is completely synthetic.

Vinyl floors can be in the form of slabs, tiles or planks. Vinyl sheets are generally 6 to 12 metres wide. This is a good way to guarantee a watertight seal and is easier to install because fewer seams are required. Vinyl tiles generally measure 9 inches by 9 inches or 12 inches by 12 inches. Vinyl tiles tend to imitate ceramic tiles, which gives them a certain charm. Old vinyl tiles must be removed and replaced very carefully because they often contain asbestos-containing materials.

Vinyl is excellent in terms of durability for pedestrian traffic, but not as durable when it comes to heavy loads or sharp objects. Unfortunately, vinyl can release certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after installation. They contain chemicals that can turn into steam at room temperature.

Essential differences :

– Vinyl can be in sheet, tile or panel form, with laminate generally only available in sheet form.
– Laminate is more comfortable to walk on, the thickness and warmth are better for walking underfoot.
– Vinyl is more resistant to moisture, so it is the best choice for bathrooms or kitchens.
– Laminate has a higher resale value.
– Laminate looks more natural than vinyl. To find out more about wood tiles with a floor view, click here.

Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl and laminate flooring

Vinyl Pro’s:

Durability – Vinyl can be treated very well. The thicker the wear layer of a vinyl floor, the more durable it is.

Waterproof – Vinyl is a waterproof floor covering ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. (For more information about waterproof wood floors for bathrooms, see this page).

Installation – Vinyl floors are relatively easy to install, and you can often do it yourself. They are even available as simple stem parts! To install it, simply level the support, cut the pieces to the right size (with a knife, not a saw), remove the support, install the boards and use a roller to harden the adhesion with the support.

Price – the price of vinyl flooring is super cheap! Vinyl generally costs $2 to $2 per square meter. Vinyl boards cost less than luxury vinyl boards, and every brand is different, but vinyl is still extremely cost-effective in all respects, including installation and maintenance.

Disadvantages of vinyl:

Removal – Vinyl floors are quite difficult to remove. It’s doable, but there are many cracks and scratches to be made. The use of scraping tools and soapy water can help remove stubborn glue residues that stick to low wages.

Maintenance – Vinyl floors can be difficult to keep clean, so there are many precautions to take. For example, for example… Avoid the use of, for example, abrasive cloths or scrapers, as these will damage the floor. The use of ammonia, wax and other solvents can also fade and damage your vinyl floor. You can also use a dry mop and a mixture of vinegar and water to clean floors.

Quality – The quality of vinyl film can vary greatly from product to product, which can be difficult for consumers to choose. Knowing the thickness is very important for the quality of vinyl records. Thicknesses from 2 mm to 8 mm or more. The thicker the pieces, the stronger the bottoms.

Laminate Plus :

Appearance and selection – Laminate floors can be made in almost any colour or pattern imaginable. Because the laminate is a photo or image laminated into pieces, you can print almost anything on it. It is customary to choose the appearance of wood or stone as being the most aesthetic. Moreover, in some places it is possible to provide them with individual surfaces.

Price – Laminate is an affordable choice with the right selection, while there are more expensive pieces to choose from for a budget project. Laminate flooring can cost between $1 and $5 per square meter.

Installation – Installing a laminate floor is very easy and gives you the opportunity to save money by doing it yourself! Laminate floors are laid floating, i.e. there is no glue, but a tooth-and-groove or snap-on method of installation.

Heat resistance – Laminate floors have heat resistant properties. This makes it possible to install it on radiant heating systems. It is one of the few materials that can be installed on something like this. This gives the floor a warm feeling and is ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms in winter, because you can raise the temperature a little to keep your feet warm.

Laminated Cons:

Treatment – Laminate cannot be processed. This means that you have the possibility to choose the color and the port. If the laminate floor is old or worn, you should remove it completely and install something new. Fortunately, it’s not that ridiculous, so it’s easy to change.

Quality – As with vinyl flooring, the quality of laminate flooring can vary greatly from product to product. This causes problems for consumers when they try to choose a product. Knowledge of the wear criteria (AC) is very important for the quality of laminate flooring. The options are listed below:

AC1 – used for small enclosures such as bathrooms or cabinets
AC2 – used for general living spaces such as living rooms and kitchens
AC3 – used for heavy-duty living spaces such as dormitories or group/partner houses
AC4 – used for normal commercial spaces such as offices or small retail outlets
AC5 – used for heavy-duty commercial spaces such as doctor’s offices or retail outlets

Prices generally rise with the performance of air conditioners and their lifespan. If you are sure what you want, you can get the right quality floor for the right price.

Vinyl plank floors compared to laminate floors

Long lifespan: Vinyl is very durable and can generally last 15 years or more. This system can be further expanded by adding additional urethane layers. The thickness of the wear layers also determines the durability of the floor covering in question.

The laminate also has a long life, 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality. As far as laminates are concerned, there are different types of flooring, each with its own wear criteria. You will find a list of each category and its use above.

Maintenance :  Vinyl usually only needs a standard wipe and cleaning. Unfortunately it cannot be sanded or repaired, the whole panel has to be removed and replaced. However, in most cases there is not much that can damage the floors of a normally used living space.

Laminate flooring also only needs a sweeper and standard cleaning products. However, it cannot withstand standing water and extreme shocks. It is preferable to use a mop for cleaning, as standing water can seep over the edges and penetrate into the heart of the wood. The laminate cannot be reconditioned, but the wear layer can be replaced.

What’s better: Vinyl or laminate flooring

For areas with a lot of traffic: A vinyl floor with a high wear layer is softer underfoot and more durable over time.

For humid areas: Vinyl floors because they don’t absorb water.

For cleaning: Vinyl floors are water-repellent, unlike laminate, which absorbs water.

For the impact on the environment: Just like laminate, laminate contains a natural core, unlike vinyl.

Vinyl or laminate flooring for pets

Both materials are compatible with pets! Nevertheless, these floors can be damaged by some pets, but they are much less sensitive than other flooring materials, especially wood. Leaving animal urine on a laminate or vinyl floor can damage the floor, but there is a little time to clean the floor before this happens.

It is easier to remove animal hair and skin flakes from vinyl and laminate flooring than, for example. B. for carpeted floors. Vinyl and laminate can also get scratched, but they are more likely to regenerate than wooden floors.

Vinyl, wood or laminate flooring

The addition of wood carving will greatly improve the performance of the barrel.

Material: Hardwood is 100% solid wood. Laminate is made of one part wood and vinyl is made of 0% wood! Because of these materials, wooden and laminate floors should not be laid in damp rooms or cleaned with stagnant water. The foil on the other sheet can be removed regularly if necessary.

Long lifespan/life expectancy : While laminate and vinyl can last 10 to 20 years, wooden floors can last a lifetime. Even if the wooden floor is damaged or worn, the material can be sanded and finished again. And not just once, but refined several times if desired.

Resale price/price : The purchase price shall be accompanied by the resale value. Laminate and vinyl are very affordable options when it comes to wooden floors. But they don’t offer much resale value. Depending on the type and quality of wood, selected solid wood floors can cost between $4 and $12 per square meter. Because of its purchase price and fantastic properties it adds more value to a property than laminate and vinyl.

Installation : Vinyl and laminate floors are relatively easy to lay and can be made by the average DIY enthusiast. Solid ground, on the other hand, is not so good for amateurs. Special tools are required for installation. Grinding and finishing is also necessary, which can be difficult in itself. Parquet floors must be laid by professionals.

To learn more about laminate versus hardwood, click here.

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