Laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are both great materials for sprucing up your floors on a budget. But it is important to understand the difference between them to pick the best one for your space.
Whether you are buying laminate flooring or luxury vinyl flooring in Mississauga, it pays to figure out your choice of flooring will affect your lifestyle.
Here, we compare laminate and vinyl flooring.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Laminate Flooring vs. Vinyl Flooring: Which One Should You Choose?
Installing the right flooring can make a world of difference to your space. So, it is crucial to understand which material is best. Here are the key differences between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is made up of wood by-products that are reinforced with resin. It has four layers: wear, decor, core, and a back layer. These are sealed together by the lamination process.
The decor layer has the printed image of almost any flooring material, such as stone, hardwood, or tile. This is what gives laminate flooring its realistic appearance.
What Is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is also a synthetic flooring material. There are several types, such as sheet vinyl, vinyl planks, and luxury vinyl flooring. Typically, vinyl flooring has a fibreglass base layer coated in PVC and plasticizer. This helps give vinyl flooring its durability and improved water resistance.
Now that we know a bit about what they are, let’s explore and compare these two types of flooring.
-
Appearance
New flooring is an investment that you want to be both functional and attractive.
Laminate floors have deep 3D embossing that gives them a realistic look. If you are shopping for laminate flooring in Toronto or Mississauga, you will find a wide variety of choices. Whether it looks like tile, stone, or wood, this flooring material is so realistic that it is often hard to tell the difference.
Vinyl flooring offers similarly realistic designs of expensive materials like wood and tile. Luxury vinyl flooring from reputable distributors in Mississauga or Toronto is quite realistic, but does not carry the price of the real thing. Sheet vinyl, on the other hand, is not as realistic, as the material’s thinness does not allow for deep embossing.
Verdict: Laminate flooring wins. When compared to luxury vinyl flooring in Mississauga or elsewhere, laminate flooring closely resembles wood flooring.
-
Cost
New floors are certainly an investment, so it is highly recommended that you choose something that fits your budget. When we compare the prices of laminate and vinyl flooring, they are more or less the same.
The price of the product is determined by its quality and thickness. This applies to both laminate and vinyl flooring. If you plan to keep this flooring for a long time, it is best to spend a little more on a high-quality product. However, if you are on a tight budget, sheet vinyl flooring is the better option.
When planning your budget, remember to include the cost of materials and labour. Also, consider where the flooring is to be installed. The total area of installation and whether the project presents challenges will affect your budget.
Verdict: Vinyl flooring wins. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of styles, including sheet, plank, and luxury vinyl. Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the more expensive options. If cost is your primary concern, regular vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for your Mississauga home.
-
Water and Heat Resistance
Not all floors are water and heat-resistant, and the surrounding climate and area of installation have a significant impact on certain floors.
Laminate flooring has a wooden core, which makes it susceptible to water damage. When exposed to moisture, wood naturally softens and swells, causing flooring issues and eventual damage. If your laminate flooring is exposed to moisture for an extended period, the damage is permanent. In such a case, it will require complete replacement.
When it comes to heat resistance, if something extremely hot, like burning wood from your fireplace, lands on your laminate flooring, it will damage it. Furthermore, if the temperature in the room is constantly changing, the flooring will contract and expand.
If you are planning to install vinyl flooring in your Toronto home, you don’t have anything to worry about. That is because these floors are not affected by changing temperatures and are waterproof.
Verdict: Vinyl flooring wins hands-down. No matter which type of vinyl you install – whether it is a sheet, plank, tile, or luxury vinyl flooring – it’s a great choice for your Toronto or Mississauga-area home.
-
Care and Maintenance
No one wants to spend a lot of time on the upkeep of their floors. Laminate flooring is very easy to care for and maintain, but avoid water exposure and harsh chemicals when cleaning it. To ensure the longevity of your floors, it’s very important to know how to care for your floors the right way.
Vinyl flooring is also easy to maintain and care for. Wet mopping, regular sweeping and vacuuming are sufficient to keep it clean. Likewise, avoid harsh chemicals or cleaning products on vinyl flooring.
Verdict: Vinyl flooring is easier to maintain than laminate flooring.
-
Durability
When selecting your future flooring, consider its durability. After all, the last thing you want to do is spend twice on brand-new flooring.
Laminate is a long-lasting floor covering that can be installed in a variety of indoor environments. However, it is susceptible to water and heat damage, so keep this in mind. Installing laminate flooring in your Mississauga home’s bathroom, for example, is not a good idea.
Vinyl flooring is incredibly durable and long-lasting. Moreover, it offers complete protection against water, so can be installed in moisture-prone areas of your home like kitchens and bathrooms. However, just like laminate flooring, vinyl flooring has to be replaced once damaged.
Verdict: Vinyl flooring is the clear winner as it is durable and waterproof. That’s not to say that laminates are a bad choice, but they have their drawbacks.
-
Resale Value
Consider floors with a higher return on investment if you plan to sell your home. Installing laminate flooring in your Toronto or Mississauga home can add to the resale value if it is in good condition.
For vinyl flooring, it depends on the product you have installed. Sheet vinyl, for example, has no value. Installing luxury vinyl in your Toronto or Mississauga home, on the other hand, can provide a decent return on your investment if it is in good condition.
Verdict: Tied. Both laminate and vinyl flooring offer a decent ROI – if they are in good condition.
-
Installation
The key to long-lasting floors is installation. Poor or subpar installation will result in flooring issues and recurring costs. Both laminate and vinyl flooring are simple to install if you have the proper tools and prior experience.
Your floors may or may not require underlayment depending on the condition of your subfloor. Please do not hesitate to contact professional installers in Toronto, Mississauga, or wherever you are if you need a floor installed properly.
Verdict: Tied. Both laminate and vinyl flooring offer quick and easy installation.
Are you still not sure which one to install? Laminate and vinyl flooring are very similar and each has its advantages and disadvantages, just like any other type of flooring. When selecting your flooring material, consider your needs, budget, and area of installation. If you have any questions, contact a home improvement store near you to determine the best option for your space.