Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring – Which Should You Choose? 

When it comes time to pick out new flooring, it’s not always an easy decision, and you want to make sure you’re not making the wrong choice. Look at the bright side – when picking between laminate vs vinyl flooring, you can’t go wrong with either! They are both top quality, it’s just a matter of deciding what’s most important to you when comparing the similarities and differences of the two. 

Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: A Detailed Comparison

4 Pros of Vinyl Flooring 

1. 100% waterproof. 

This is one of the biggest advantages of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. If you live in an area that is subject to flooding or looking to put flooring in a basement, bathroom, or kitchen area; then LVP is a great option. You can also consider messes from kids or pets that can often be absorbed by the floor causing water damage.  

2. Super DIY friendly. 

The click lock system creates an easy installation process for those who want to tackle the project themselves. LVP can also be installed on top of the existing flooring in the home, which saves you the time and mess of having to remove previous flooring. 

3. Extremely Durable.

 It is stain, scratch, and dent-resistant, making it pet and kid-friendly. For that reason, many people choose to put this flooring in high-traffic areas. This flooring will last you many many years. 

4. Low maintenance.

 It doesn’t need an extensive cleaning routine, a regular cleaning with simple products will do the trick. 

5 Pros of Laminate Flooring

1. Affordability. 

Laminate is less expensive than traditional hardwood floors, but the quality does not fall short. Based on the looks and quality of the product, most people are surprised when they see how reasonable the price is. 

2. Appearance.

Laminate flooring gives off the look of hardwood floors, giving your home a more financially friendly option to the classic look.

3. Easy to install. 

Laminate flooring is a free-floating floor system that doesn’t have to be nailed or glued down. It uses a click lock system for easy DIY installation. 

4. Durability. 

Like LVP flooring, laminate is extremely durable as well. It is a strong and scratch-resistant surface that is ideal to put in high-traffic areas of your home. 

5. Moisture-resistant, but not waterproof. 

It is made to tolerate moisture from mopping and cleaning, but once/if moisture finds its way to the edges, underneath the surface area, or in the locking system, you are at a risk for warping and swelling that can ruin your floor. 

What Is the Key Difference Between Vinyl & Laminate Flooring?

The biggest difference between the two flooring options is that vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof. Laminate is less versatile because it is not recommended to be installed in a laundry room or bathroom area due to the chances of exposure to water. Take a look at the needs of your home and determine which flooring would be the most beneficial for you. 

Builder’s Discount Center is ready to serve you! Our warehouses are fully stocked.

Both types of flooring are great options for your home from a design & economical standpoint. Builder’s Discount Center stocks a variety of options of luxury vinyl plank flooring. We have samples available as well as installed sections so you can get a look at the flooring firsthand. Stop by and see us at one of our 11 locations in NC and VA.