vinyl vs. laminate flooring: which is right for you?

There's a plethora of options when it comes to hard surface flooring. However, most people who are looking for affordable yet durable floor covering are often confused between laminate and vinyl. These two flooring options have a lot of similarities but if you look closely, you will then realize that they have stark differences. Resistance to moisture, thickness, materials, and comfort level are completely different.

Can't decide which one is right for your home? The next paragraphs will both be useful and helpful.
 

Moisture resistance


Vinyl tiles and sheets are waterproof. They are capable of handling spills, dampness and humidity better than laminates.

Laminate flooring board, on the other hand, are made with wood fibres. Therefore, they aren't the best choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms or any other areas that has a lot of moisture. Laminate flooring boards can swell in moist conditions, and the edges could curl upward when they are pushed against each other.
 

Ease of installation


Both can be installed by a reasonably skilled do-it-yourselfer. However, most homeowners choose laminate flooring because it is easier to install. Laminate flooring is a floating-floor system that should never be glued or nailed to the subfloor. The boards are easy to cut and fit together thanks to its snap-together locking mechanisms.

Most vinyl flooring is glued down directly to the floor underneath. Meaning, you are likely to work with messy glues. Vinyl sheets comes in large rolls (usually about 12 feet in width), and are usually difficult for homeowners to install.
 

Materials and thickness


Laminate and vinyl flooring are made of different materials. Laminate flooring is largely made from wood. It usually has four layers, with the core created from high density fibreboard. Vinyl floors are made using synthetic materials that look exactly like tile or wood. It is also made in layers, but its primary component is PVC vinyl.