Laminate Flooring vs Vinyl Flooring

Are you looking for low-budgeted durable coverings for your kitchen or utility room? Laminate and Vinyl flooring is the answer. If you hear laminating flooring from manufacturers, they are referring the snap-together boards. Vinyl flooring also comes in snap-together planks but, you can buy glued-down tiles or sheet flooring. These two kinds of floor coverings differ from each other.

Procedure of Installation

Laminate flooring is often designed for “do-it-yourself” because of their snap-together locking mechanism. The boards fit together easily and are easy to cut. On putting sheet vinyl flooring, it requires glue-spreading and careful cutting skill as well as accurate measurements. Locking Vinyl planks together takes more effort because they are more flexible, but they fit together to create a floating floor like laminate boards.

What You Can Get?

Vinyl tiles and sheets are simpler compared to laminate flooring. Vinyl flooring consists of a single layer of vinyl with a fiberglass or cloth backing. On the other hand, laminate flooring consists of four layers usually. The wear layer or the top is a durable, clear plastic. The next layer is where the design is imprinted. The third and last layers are a combination of glue, wood chips, and plastic. Vinyl planks don’t have wood fibers, but they have layers like laminate flooring. Both flooring are typically 3/8 inch thick.

Subfloor Acclimation and Requirements

Both flooring requires dry, flat subfloors, but laminate flooring can be laid over a subfloor with little imperfections unlike vinyl flooring. You can experience the imperfections on vinyl flooring. Before you lay vinyl flooring to uneven subfloor, you always need to cover up plywood subfloor with ¼-inch hardboard. Since laminate flooring can swell, it’s important that you should acclimate them by scattering them for three days around the room before installation. Vinyl flooring doesn’t require this acclimation period when installing.

Resistance to Moisture

Laminate floorings are not the best choice for bathrooms or laundry rooms because they are not water-resistant as they are made from wood fibers. It swells in moist conditions and when it is pushed against each other, the edges can curl upward. On the other hand, vinyl floorings are waterproof. It handles dampness, spills, and humidity better than laminates.