Laminate and vinyl are two popular types of alternative wood flooring materials. Although similar in appearance, these two types of flooring have many distinct characteristics that offer different advantages depending on your residential or business flooring needs. Knowing the difference, as well as the similarities, of vinyl and laminate flooring is important in determining which type is right for your home or business.
Laminate and vinyl are both cost effective, durable, flooring options that, for the most part, can be easily installed in a variety of environments.
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring is created through the process of sticking pictures of wood on vinyl planks and by a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers, with pigments added for color. Although it’s declined in popularity since laminate flooring was introduced, vinyl flooring is still a solid choice among home and business owners.
Of vinyl flooring’s many advantages, the top ones include its non-porous, total water resistance feature, making this flooring an ideal option for use in rooms such as bathrooms and basements. Also, when it comes to appearance, mainly tile designs on floors or even walls, vinyl is the better option.
Additionally, vinyl boasts the benefits of being sound proof, termite proof, and bacterial proof (when coated).
Although vinyl flooring is flexible and cost-effective, it is expected to have a shorter life span when compared to laminate, causing it to fade within a few years of installation if not properly maintained.
Even days after the installation, vinyl flooring can give a hard and cold feeling. This can be avoided through proper and profession installation. Be sure to enlist expert help to spare you from any unforeseen problems you could encounter during installation.
Laminate Flooring:
Like vinyl, laminate flooring is also created by sticking, or printing, pictures of wood on planks. Unlike vinyl, however, laminate is more durable, making it more conducive for placing in areas of high foot traffic.
In comparison to vinyl, laminate flooring is not water resistant; the base layer of laminate is wood that, when exposed to excessive moisture, risks warping and rotting. When considering a specific room for laminate flooring, you would be less likely to use this in areas more susceptible to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.
If you desire flooring that resembles real hardwood floors, laminate is the right choice for you. Not only does the material provide a more realistic look, but it offers a better resale value, as well.
Though laminate and vinyl flooring have many similar features, they also differ greatly. Your final decision on whether you choose laminate or vinyl flooring should depend on specifications regarding the room the flooring will be placed, the level of traffic it will have, and what appearance or design you desire.
Laminate and vinyl are cost comparable as well as cost effective flooring options and, for the most part, they provide for a relatively easy installation. Laminate requires cutting each plank to fit your floor and snapping pieces together. While vinyl uses an adhesive and special cutting tools. Choosing to hire a professional handyman to install your flooring will eliminate any worries regarding required equipment and installation. Residential Improvement Doctor flooring installation jobs are taken seriously, as all of our customers projects. We have installed hardwood floors, tile floors, laminate floors, bamboo floors and vinyl floors.
