Vinyl flooring vs Laminate Flooring

When deciding between laminate or vinyl flooring, it’s essential to understand the differences in durability, style and cost. Both options offer attractive alternatives to traditional hardwood but they have distinct characteristics that may suit different spaces and needs. 

Neither type of flooring outcompetes the other across all categories, they both have individual pros and cons. Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, living room or kitchen, understanding the pros and cons of each flooring type will help you make the best choice for your home or business. This article will explore the key differences and benefits of vinyl flooring vs laminate flooring.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a synthetic product designed to mimic the appearance of natural wood, stone or other materials. It consists of multiple layers, including a wear layer, a photographic layer for design and a core layer for stability. 

Laminate is known for its affordability and easy installation, making it a popular choice for homeowners and businesses. Although laminate is durable, it is more prone to water damage compared to vinyl, so it’s best suited for areas with low moisture exposure.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is durable and water-resistant. It is also made from synthetic materials, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC) . It comes in various forms, such as sheets, planks and tiles. Vinyl flooring is highly versatile, making it ideal for both residential and commercial spaces.

Vinyl is typically designed to mimic the look of wood, stone and other materials just like laminate, however vinyl is a budget-friendly alternative. Floors made from vinyl are simple to clean and provide resistance to scratches and stains. It’s a popular choice for areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

The Main Differences

Although looking at vinyl flooring vs laminate flooring presents many similarities, they have key features that separate them:

Vinyl

• 100% made from synthetic material such as plastic.
• Unlike laminate flooring, vinyl is flexible. 
• Due to being made from layers of plastic, vinyl flooring is entirely water proof.
• Thickness of 1.5 mm to 5 mm.

Laminate

• Limited to planks.
• Made from wood byproducts, high density fibreboards.
• Thickness of planks ranging from 6 mm to 12 mm.
• Looks more realistic and rigid. 
• Water resistant, not waterproof. 

Appearance, Which Looks Better?

If you’re trying to choose laminate or vinyl flooring and your main priority is finding a flooring that is high quality and looks the best, choose laminate. Although the two are very comparable when it comes to appearance, laminate flooring comes closest to mimicking materials such as wood and stone.

Vinyl flooring looks more realistic the thicker it is, as deeper embossing is possible.

Which Type has Better Heat Resistance?

While neither are particularly perfect at withstanding high temperatures, vinyl is typically more heat resistant as the material conducts heat more efficiently. When exposed to high heat, laminate flooring has potential to expand due to the materials absorbing moisture. On the flip side, if laminated flooring experiences colder and drier conditions, it may contract due to loss of moisture.

This is no reason to worry as such circumstances are only due to very low or high temperatures, meaning whichever flooring you decide to choose will function perfectly in the average temperatures of your home or business.

Installation Process

The installation process for vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are often very similar. Vinyl flooring offers straightforward installation, often available in peel-and-stick or click-lock systems, making it a great option for DIY junkies. Its flexibility allows it to contour to uneven floors, reducing the need for extensive preparation. 

Laminate flooring also uses a click-lock system but requires a more level subfloor for proper installation. Additionally, laminate often requires an underlayment for cushioning and moisture protection, adding a step to the process. Installing laminate flooring will require a saw and someone with a certain skill level as it’s that bit more complex compared to vinyl. Both options are relatively quick to install and look great in any home.

Laminate or Vinyl: Which is the Better Choice?

So, vinyl flooring vs laminate flooring, which one is better? The answer is neither are better or worse than the other, it depends on your needs and where you desire the flooring to be installed. Laminate is ideal for dry spaces where appearance is priority, offering a natural wood or stone look.

Vinyl is highly versatile, waterproof and great for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Both options are stylish, durable and affordable.

At Colourbank in Leicester, we provide a wide range of high-quality laminate and vinyl flooring, helping you find the perfect fit for any room. 

Contact us today or visit us in Leicester for expert advice and various options.