![]() ![]() However, laminate tends to feel warmer and softer – especially when paired with the right foam underlayment. Neither laminate nor LVT/LVP feels quite like real wood. ![]() When you’re shopping, looks may be the most obvious feature of a floor – however, once it’s installed, you’ll begin to notice the way it feels and sounds underfoot. Luxury vinyl plank flooring, with its thicker, rigid solid core, tends to look more like wood since deeper embossing is possible on its surface. While laminate flooring has historically had deeper, more realistic visuals & embossing on its surfaces, certain modern LVT/LVP products do as well. The difference here will generally depend on the product you choose. LVT/LVP is the winner when it comes to top surface water resistance. However, for both products, if not installed properly, moisture issues can arise from the subfloor and cause failure or other issues.Īmerica’s Floor Source recommended installation areas for laminate & LVT/LVP floorsĭependent on specific product's water resistance ![]() The core can be thick, especially in rigid core plank and tile formats.īoth modern, high-end laminates and LVT/LVP flooring are water-resistant. LVT/LVP usually consists of a base layer of fiberglass coated in PVC with multiple wear layers. Unlike the 100% synthetic LVT/LVP, laminate flooring is made from real wood byproducts, bonded with resins. The Differences Between Laminate & Vinyl Flooring Material, Construction & Water Resistanceįor all their similarities, the key difference that sets these two products apart is the material from which they’re made. Other types of vinyl can also be installed with adhesives. Some luxury vinyl plank floors are floating floor systems like laminate. LVT/LVP used to be inferior to laminate in terms of imaging and textures, but the technology has caught up and, in some cases, surpassed that of its competitor. Like laminate, LVT/LVP allows you to mimic the appearance of natural flooring materials. Sinai, Seldon, NY, and the surrounding areas.Vinyl flooring is a 100% synthetic material available in planks or tiles. Boasting selections from top-of-the-line brands, and unparalleled service, First Class Wood Flooring is available to install waterproof vinyl flooring in Suffolk County, East Setauket, Miller Place, Mt. Look no further than First Class Wood Flooring. The only question you need to ask yourself now is, “Who can install my waterproof flooring?” While older forms of vinyl flooring may have once had a fabric backing, modern versions are made of 100% polymer materials, meaning they can be fully immersed in water, dried, and reused without risk of warping. Because laminate flooring uses a fiberboard core, if the core is exposed to water, the board will soften and swell, and may not resume its original shape after it has dried. We recommend waterproof vinyl flooring or vinyl plank flooring for all areas with the greatest risk of exposure to water, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc. But the best way to determine which is the right waterproof flooring option is to base it on which type of room you need the flooring for. It only changes if you go with a very high-end brand name where the vinyl flooring is a bit more expensive, but for the most part, they cost the same.īoth waterproof vinyl flooring and laminate flooring have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Surprisingly, they have about the same cost per square foot. Perhaps at this point, with the previous comparisons, you might be thinking that waterproof vinyl flooring would be more expensive than waterproof laminate flooring. The higher quality vinyl flooring, however, holds up very well and is often used in commercial settings in high traffic areas. Vinyl flooring is better at resisting scratches, but even lower quality vinyl flooring can delaminate. Also, if you get deep scratches, it can lead to delamination, and the only cure for this is to replace the flooring. Laminate flooring, if it gets scratched, can not be repaired, so you will have that scratch for the life of the floor. Durability and Maintenanceīoth laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are good on durability, but they have their limits. Vinyl plank flooring does not have this issue and doesn’t expand if it gets wet. If that happens, you can try to dry it out, but it never goes back to the original shape. If you know anything about wood, when it gets wet it tends to expand and swell. Waterproof vinyl flooring, either in sheets or in planks, is a clear winner here. When comparing waterproof laminate flooring to waterproof vinyl flooring, there are several categories to look at: water and heat resistance, durability and maintenance, and a cost comparison. Waterproof Vinyl Flooring Compared to Laminate Flooring ![]()
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