If you are looking for a flooring option that is budget-friendly and has easy-care properties, vinyl and laminate are the two options that come to mind, but they do have a few key differences which should be kept in mind while choosing between them. If you considering installing any one of them, read on to know the key differences between them before making a choice.

Vinyl Flooring :

631M Stone Effect Non-Slip Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl Flooring is made from synthetic material, i.e., 100% plastic which makes vinyl flooring super resistant to moisture. Even if your vinyl flooring is exposed to water for a long period of time, it won’t get damaged because of its strong resistance to moisture; hence it serves as a perfect choice for rooms that are prone to excess moisture.

Laminate Flooring :

A synthetic product that replicates the look of real hardwood, laminate flooring has an authentic wooden floor appearance which makes it quite popular for homes that want to give a rustic, wood effect but on a budget. Although it’s a budget-friendly option, laminate is not resistant to moisture; hence it can get damaged if exposed to moisture for a long period of time.

Vinyl vs. Laminate

1. Appearance

i) Vinyl Flooring has a realistic appeal, especially luxury vinyl plank flooring. A vinyl flooring with a thick solid core looks more like wood since it has a deeper embossing.

ii) Laminate Flooring: With deep, realistic three-dimensional embossing on its surface, laminate floorings depict accurate images of the material being portrayed such as wood, ceramic or stone.

2. Heat and Water Resistance

i) Vinyl flooring is water-resistant. Made from 100% polymer materials, vinyl exudes resistance to moisture even if exposed for a long period of time.

ii) Usually laminate flooring uses a fiberboard for a core. As this core is a wooden product, it will absorb water and swell if exposed to water. It won’t regain its original dimensions after the moisture dries. The wear layer and design layer sometimes get peeled away if exposed to water for a long period of time. Once the laminate floor is water-damaged, it has to be replaced as it cannot be fixed.

3. Cleaning and Care

i) One of the main advantages of Vinyl flooring is its easy maintenance. You can either wet-mop your vinyl floor or scrub it with safe cleaning products.

ii) The best way to clean a laminate floor is by using dry methods. Use a dry mop or a broom to clean a laminate floor. If you need to wet-clean your floor, use a damp mop that is almost dry on touching.

4. Durability

i) The Vinyl Flooring with lower quality can delaminate. If you have a self-stick vinyl floor, it has a tendency of loosening over time. Altogether vinyl flooring is a resilient flooring option that can be used in areas with heavy footwork.

ii) Laminate flooring has high durability with low maintenance. But if exposed to water, the laminate floor can delaminate over time. If the wear layer of the laminate is scratched or removed, the whole laminate floor has to be replaced as it cannot be repaired.

5. Installation

i) To install Vinyl Flooring, you need a click-and-lock method of installation. In this method, vinyl planks are cut with a utility knife. After making a score mark, the plank is bent back and another cut is made from the rear end. With sheet vinyl, you may need professional guidance as it's quite difficult for a do-it-yourself.

ii) Laminate flooring also uses the click-and-lock method for its installation. In this, the tongue of one plank is made to fit into the groove of the next plank at a certain angle. Next, the plank is folded down until it comes to level with the other plank. This helps in drawing the boards together and closing the seam.