FAQ - High End Resilient Flooring (HERF): How it Differs from Laminate and Conventional Vinyl Flooring?

As technology innovates rapidly, flooring market is also diversifying its developments in giving homeowners different flooring options that suits every homeowner's lifestyle and choices. Most of the time, homeowners are having a hard time in choosing the right flooring for their home without having the full knowledge of the difference on each type of flooring. 

Because of the surface appearance and beauty that it can bring to one's home, the three (3) popular flooring categories which are laminate flooring, vinyl flooring and resilient flooring are commonly mistaken as the same type of flooring. 

Here are some basic differences between laminate, vinyl and high end resilient flooring:

Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring is one of the most popular flooring for its numerous designs and patterns. It is also known as "photographed wood" for its appearance look of a real natural wood. It is made up of compressed wood flooring with a layer of photographed design on the topmost surface. Although laminate flooring has met a number of standards set by many homeowners, as its construction material has wood fiber content, thus, water-related issues may occur and may be hard underfoot compared to the other two types. Some may find laminate flooring as economical and budget-friendly flooring as it costs cheaper compared to the same range of flooring, but still having the same appearance that beautifies one's home.

Conventional Vinyl Flooring

If you are looking for flooring that mimics the look of natural products such as wood, stone, ceramic or slate, you might consider vinyl flooring instead. While this type of flooring is manufactured massively, the materials that used to manufacture vinyl flooring are resin and not compressed wood. Having one step higher grade to laminate flooring, vinyl flooring is durable, affordable and low-maintenance. Since there is no wood content for most of vinyl floors, it is water resistant or waterproof, but they won't survive major floods or strong cleaning.

High End Resilient Flooring

High End Resilient Flooring (HERF) is considered as a group slightly higher than the family of traditional resilient flooring which consist of conventional vinyl flooring, linoleum and rubberized flooring, due to its higher specifications. While others may still look for a more advanced feature than of conventional vinyl, High End Resilient Flooring's existence rapidly rises.

The ability to mimic real wooden designs and textures in addition to being waterproof while requiring low maintenance efforts compared to hardwood flooring. In today’s modern lifestyle, it is typical for working homeowners, especially those with kids and/or pets to look for a flooring that looks sleek, easy to maintain, and safe to use.

High End Resilient Flooring (HERF) satisfies all these criteria and transcends beyond with its wide array of stylish designs and a floating system that requires a no-glue installation. Likewise, it is cost efficient flooring that fits very well within new homeowners’ renovation budget. HERF is different from conventional vinyl flooring as it is made from pure virgin vinyl. Though both vinyl flooring and HERF have comparable slip resistant properties, HERF undergoes stringent tests to ensure good indoor quality.

It comes as no surprise therefore that many homeowners view High End Resilient Flooring as a substitute to traditional flooring such as laminate flooring, tiles and parquet – making it a popular flooring choice in recent years.

While the overall look and appearance plays a big factor in choosing the floor, one must also consider other factors such as the materials where the flooring is made up, its features and its purpose in the area where you intend to install in.