Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring

When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, there are a lot of options available in the market. Two of the most popular types of flooring are vinyl flooring and laminate flooring. Both of these options are designed to be durable, easy to maintain, and cost-effective. But which one is the better option for your home? In this blog post, we’ll compare vinyl vs. laminate flooring and help you make an informed decision for you and your home.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is a type of flooring that is made of synthetic materials, primarily PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It’s a popular option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas of the home because it’s durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Vinyl flooring comes in a wide range of colors and designs, from wood-look to stone-look, to tile-look, and more. Vinyl flooring can be installed in a variety of ways, including glue-down, click-lock, and peel-and-stick.

I installed vinyl flooring in the bathrooms in my house I owned in Florida. When I first installed them I did a review on them and then I did a follow up review a year later. Check out the post here.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is also a synthetic flooring option, but it’s made from a different type of material. Laminate flooring is made from a composite material that is layered together, typically with a backing layer, a core layer, a design layer (which gives the flooring its look), and a protective layer. Like vinyl flooring, laminate flooring is popular for its durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance. Laminate flooring can be installed as a floating floor, which means it’s not glued or nailed down to the subfloor.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Durability

When it comes to durability, both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are relatively strong options. Vinyl flooring is highly resistant to scratches and dents, making it a good option for homes with pets or children. However, it’s not as resistant to moisture as laminate flooring, and if water is left sitting on the flooring for an extended period of time, it can cause damage.

Laminate flooring is also durable and resistant to scratches and dents, but it’s more resistant to moisture than vinyl flooring. This makes it a good option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of the home where water may be present.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Installation

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are relatively easy to install, but the installation process can vary depending on the type of flooring you choose. Vinyl flooring can be installed in a variety of ways, including glue-down, click-lock, and peel-and-stick. Each installation method has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, glue-down vinyl flooring is the most durable and long-lasting option, but it can be difficult to remove if you decide to replace it in the future.

Laminate flooring is typically installed as a floating floor, which means it’s not glued or nailed down to the subfloor. This makes it easy to install and remove, and it also means that the flooring can expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Cost

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are relatively affordable options compared to other types of flooring, such as hardwood or tile. However, the cost can vary depending on the quality and design of the flooring you choose.

Vinyl flooring is typically the more affordable option, with prices ranging from $1 to $5 per square foot. Laminate flooring is slightly more expensive, with prices ranging from $1 to $7 per square foot.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Appearance

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are available in a wide range of colors and designs, making it easy to find a flooring option that fits your style and aesthetic. Vinyl flooring can mimic the look of wood, stone, tile, and more, while laminate flooring is primarily designed to look like wood.

Vinyl flooring tends to have a smoother surface than laminate flooring, which can sometimes have a textured surface to mimic the feel of wood. However, laminate flooring has a more realistic wood-look due to its design layer, which is a high-quality photographic image of wood grain.

In terms of durability, vinyl flooring can sometimes fade or discolor over time, especially if it’s exposed to direct sunlight. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is more resistant to fading and discoloration. However, if the protective layer of laminate flooring is damaged, it can be difficult to repair.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Maintenance

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are easy to maintain and clean. Both options can be cleaned with a damp mop or a vacuum cleaner. However, there are some differences in how to care for each flooring type.

Vinyl flooring is resistant to moisture and spills, so it’s easy to clean up spills and stains. However, it’s important to avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, as these can scratch the surface of the flooring.

Laminate flooring is also resistant to moisture, but it’s important to clean up spills as soon as possible to prevent water from seeping into the seams between the boards. Laminate flooring should be cleaned with a cleaner specifically designed for laminate flooring, as some cleaners can cause damage to the flooring.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Cleaning

When it comes to vinyl vs. laminate flooring and cleaning vinyl flooring is the hands down winner it is the easiest to clean. While both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are easy to keep clean, only vinyl flooring allows the entire span of cleaning methods, from sweeping with a dry broom to wet mopping.

Vinyl Flooring 

The best thing about vinyl flooring is that it is easy to maintain and clean. It can be wet-mopped and safely scrubbed with a wide range of traditional cleaning products.

Laminate Flooring 

To clean laminate flooring, it’s best to start with dry methods like using a dry mop or broom. If wet-cleaning is necessary, use a damp mop that’s barely moist to avoid damaging the flooring.

Environmental Impact

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are not considered to be environmentally friendly options compared to other types of flooring, such as hardwood or bamboo. Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials, including PVC, which can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Laminate flooring is made from composite materials, which can also contain VOCs.

However, there are some options for vinyl and laminate flooring that are more environmentally friendly. For example, some vinyl flooring manufacturers have started using recycled materials in their products. Additionally, some laminate flooring manufacturers have started using more sustainable materials, such as bamboo.

When it comes to installation, both vinyl and laminate flooring can be installed as a floating floor, which means that they are not attached to the subfloor. This makes them easy to install, and they can often be installed over existing flooring. However, it’s important to ensure that the subfloor is level and clean before installation.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Insulation

In terms of sound insulation, both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring can be noisy, especially in high-traffic areas. However, underlayment can be added to both types of flooring to help reduce noise.

When it comes to resale value, both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are not as highly valued as hardwood or tile flooring. However, a well-installed and well-maintained vinyl or laminate flooring can still increase the value of your home.

Which is better flooring option is better for pets, laminate or vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is more resistant to water and spills, making it a better option for pets that may have accidents or spill their water bowl. Additionally, vinyl flooring is generally softer underfoot, which can be more comfortable for pets to walk on. It can also be more scratch-resistant than laminate flooring, which can is beneficial for households with larger pets or pets with long or sharp claws.

When asking which is better for pets vinyl vs. laminate flooring it is close but I think you have to go with vinyl for its durability and scratch resistance.

Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring Conclusion

When it comes to vinyl vs. laminate flooring, both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are durable, cost-effective, and easy to maintain options for homeowners. When it comes to choosing between the two, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a flooring option that is highly resistant to moisture and spills, laminate flooring may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a flooring option that can mimic a variety of looks, including wood, stone, and tile, vinyl flooring may be the better choice.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to do your research and choose a high-quality product that will stand up to the wear and tear of daily life. With the right flooring, your home can be both beautiful and functional for years to come.