Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: Which Is Best For You?
Both vinyl and laminate flooring are some of the most popular flooring materials on the market today. Here is a comparison of the two options.
Are you a homeowner stuck between the choice of vinyl or laminate flooring? Unsure of which one is best for you?
You are not alone.
Believe it or not, this decision is hard for hundreds of homeowners. But did you know, this choice can be so much easier to make by simply knowing the differences between your two flooring options?
Are you finally ready to figure out which flooring will work best in your home? Keeping reading to find out.
What's the Difference
At face value, it may seem that these two flooring options are interchangeable. They both just cover the floor, right?
This is as far from the truth as it gets. Did you know that one is easier to install? Or that one responds better to moisture?
Learning about their individual pros and cons will narrow down your decision greatly.
Pros of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring has a few features that laminate lacks.
One of its greatest advantages is that it does typically cost less than laminate. It also is known for withstanding constant traffic. This is great for rooms that you know will have a lot of kids, guests, or pets running through them.
Another advantage to this flooring is that it is water-resistant. It will not warp or ruin in the case of an extreme spill. Because of this, it is recommended for entryways, bathrooms, or kitchens.
If any of these advantages sound more like necessities to you, maybe vinyl is the way to go.
Cons of Vinyl Flooring
Despite its great features, vinyl does have some disadvantages.
One noteworthy disadvantage is that its color is known to fade, especially when it is exposed to large amounts of sunlight.
This flooring is also known for responding badly to heavy or sharp objects.
If you plan on installing this flooring outside or in an area that will expose it to a lot of shocks, this flooring may not be the one you should use.
Vinyl Flooring Installation
Another factor that should be noted about this flooring is the installation process.
Vinyl flooring is known to be easy to install, but difficult to remove. It is also recommended that this flooring is not very forgiving. If the surface below is not smooth, the bumps and uneven parts of the ground will show through the flooring.
Due to the special attention you will need to give your vinyl flooring, it may be easiest to consider asking a flooring company for help with installation.
If you are looking for a quick and easy installation, vinyl is definitely something you should consider. But if your home has foundation issues or flaws in the concrete below it, you should either fix these flaws before installation begins or consider some other flooring materials.
Pros of Laminate Flooring
Much like its competition, laminate flooring has some advantages of its own.
One of its more impressive features is its ability to mimic hardwood flooring. From a distance, the difference is hard to peg.
Laminate is also made of lightweight planks or tiles that are easy to carry and transport.
They are easy to clean and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. It also responds better to shock and can catch sharp objects better than vinyl flooring.
If these pros sound exactly like what you need, you should consider giving laminate flooring a deeper look.
Cons of Laminate Flooring
Even though the pros of laminate flooring are pretty persuasive, it still has a few flaws that should be considered.
One of the most noteworthy flaws of this product is its response to water. Laminate is not water-resistant and tends to warp when wet. This can be avoided with a quick clean-up response and a moisture barrier. But it is still not recommended to install laminate in the kitchen, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.
This flooring is also much harder than vinyl flooring and is therefore much louder when walked on.
It also cannot be redone like regular wood flooring. So when your laminate is ready to go, it must be replaced.
If you plan to install your new flooring into a bathroom or anywhere you want a softer or quieter floor., this may not be the route you should take.
Laminate Flooring Installation
Similar to vinyl, laminate flooring is fairly simple to install. Each piece of laminate will connect to the other through an interlocking system designed with easy installation in mind.
It can also be installed over other layers of flooring and does not need any glue or paste to make it stick.
Because of the ease of installation and the fact that it does not require any additional flooring materials, laminate is an extremely budget-friendly flooring option.
Go Purchase Your Flooring
Now that you know the difference between your two flooring options, you are probably wondering where you can go to purchase your own vinyl or laminate flooring.
If you live in the Phoenix area, Eagle Flooring West is the flooring company for you. We have a wide selection of vinyl and laminate flooring, along with many other options. Visit our showroom to see more.
On top of our vast flooring options, our flooring services also extend to installation. Our professionals are more than happy to install the floors of your dreams for the best price in Phoenix.
Call us or visit our website to schedule a free in-home estimate today.
We look forward to helping you get the floors of your dreams!
