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Vinyl Plank vs. Laminate Flooring: Which is Right for You?
Laminate Flooring and Vinyl Plank Flooring (SPC, WPC and MLC included) are two cost-effective alternatives to hardwood floors that offer a realistic appearance. Both types of flooring are durable and can withstand scratches, wear, and stains, making them a great option for families with pets. Moreover, Laminate and Vinyl Planks planks feature a floating installation with click-together planks, making them a DIY-friendly option and a more affordable alternative to professionally installed floors.
Let's examine some of the distinctions between these two flooring options.
Installation
Our Opinion: Both are very DIY friendly with a slight edge to Vinyl Plank.
Vinyl Plank and Laminate are considered as some of the most effortless floors to install since they both come with interlocking planks that rest on the subfloor without requiring glue or nails. Almost all Vinyl Plank has underlayment pre-attached. Almost all Laminate floors do not have underlayment pre-attached.
Laminates require a saw to cut, and the saw must be positioned outside the installation area to avoid dust. Vinyl Plank can be scored with a utility knife and snapped (like you cut glass) or cut with a saw.
Construction
Our Opinion: Laminate has less ingredients and layers, hence more eco-friendly.
Laminate flooring is typically 8mm-12mm thick and consists mostly of a wood based core material made of High Density Fiberboard (HDF). Vinyl Planks planks are typically 4mm-8mm thick and are composed of more layers and ingredients. Both Laminate and LVT use high-definition printing techniques to create the decorative layer.
Water Resistance
Our Opinion: Both are excellent, but Vinyl Plank requires less installation steps.
Vinyl Plank is waterproof as are the majority of today’s latest generation high-end laminate floors. Since laminate floors have a wood based core, extra installation steps are required to seal the perimeter with silicone to avoid liquids seeping under the wall moldings and underneath the floor. Vinyl Planks are inherently waterproof and this is one reason why you'll see Vinyl Plank installed in so many commercial dining and hospitality settings.
Realistic Designs
Our Opinion: Top-of-the-line Laminate Floors look more like hardwood flooring than Vinyl Plank.
Both Vinyl Plank and Laminate Floors have come a long way in terms of visual realism thanks to technological advancements. Both products now offer highly realistic designs that look and feel like authentic wood. Entry-level items may have simpler textures and more repetitive patterns, while high-end products feature more complex textures and less pattern repeats. However, the top-of-the-line Made in USA Laminate Floors are nearly indistinguishable from hardwood floors.
Stains and Flames
Our Opinion: Laminate floors are virtually impossible to stain or burn.
Laminate floors are virtually impossible to stain because of their non porous surface. And laminate floors can withstand flames (like a burning ember from a fireplace) for a reasonable period of time. Vinyl Plank can melt from an ember and may stain from certain permanent inks.
Price
Our Opinion: Equal
Most Laminate floors require a separately purchased underlayment which can add 30-80 cents per sf. Most vinyl planks have the underlayment attached.
Sound
Our Opinion: Vinyl Plank is a little more quiet.
Because of the wood based core and a floating installation, laminate floors can have a knocking sound when you walk on them with hard sole shoes. This can be mitigated with a high quality underlayment. Vinyl Plank tends to be a little more quiet.
Conclusion
The similarities between Laminate and Vinyl Plank flooring are striking, and yet they have some subtle differences. Both floors have cost, durability, and maintenance benefits over hardwood flooring. They also offer easy DIY installation, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, both Laminate and Vinyl Plank feature authentic designs that replicate the natural appearance of surfaces such as hardwood flooring.
If waterproof performance is your primary concern, go with the Vinyl Plank. If you want hyper-realistic visuals and excellent resistance to liquid spills, go with Laminate Flooring.
