Published on Sunday, April 17th, 2022
Renovating your home is a very exciting and also very challenging time. When it comes to choosing your flooring, what is most important to you? Many factors go into determining which flooring works for your home and lifestyle. Often design choices, functionality, comfort levels, and cost are among the first thoughts when researching flooring options. Let’s explore some of the more budget-friendly options and their benefits: laminate VS vinyl flooring.
Laminate flooring in Scottsdale has become increasingly popular in modern homes over the last decade. It was the first wood-looking flooring that offered easy installation the homeowner could do themselves. However, it is not recommended for all areas of your home. Laminate is not recommended for wet areas of the home such as the bathroom and sometimes the kitchen, as moisture can cause it to warp or swell.
In fact, we recommend laminate be installed in areas where children and pets frequent. Laminate is very durable and offers a nice sound barrier as well.
Related Topic: Laminate Flooring – How is it made?
Laminate is not recommended for wet areas of the home such as the bathroom and the kitchen to prevent moisture from lifting the flooring. A foam moisture underlayment is required under the flooring during installation and requires a table saw. Because laminate is thicker than vinyl, it is warmer to the touch. Additional foam can be installed beneath for more comfort.
The cost can vary dramatically depending on the style you’re looking for. Our laminate flooring options range from very inexpensive at $0.50 for 6mm oak-look boards to moderately priced at $3.00 for longer planked 12mm oak-look boards. You will find a wide variety of styles, including the sought-after mock hardwood flooring look. Over the years, laminate has improved in how it has been manufactured. Because of this, having laminate flooring in your home actually increases the value of your home.
However, nothing can compare to natural hardwood floors. Additionally, it doesn’t offer the ability to be sanded and refinished as natural hardwood floors do.
Related Topic: What To Keep In Mind When Remodeling Your Home
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring:
Vinyl floors are a popular option among homeowners, particularly in kitchen and bathroom areas. A synthetic cousin of linoleum, vinyl flooring is water-and stain-resistant, versatile, and provides good durability for the cost. Thanks to a number of advances over the years, today’s vinyl floors are attractive and economical.
Vinyl came into the flooring world a few decades ago but has since declined in popularity. With the introduction of plank shapes, easy assembly with snap-together pieces, and improved printing for a more realistic wood look, vinyl is becoming sought after once again.
Related Topic: Preparing The Sub-Floor
Vinyl is 100% percent waterproof and can be installed in all areas of the home including the bathrooms. Vinyl is also very easy for homeowners to install. The flooring does not require tools for cutting; simply use a utility knife to cut. The planks come with self-stick adhesive or click joints are available. Since the vinyl is installed directly over the subfloor it is cool to the touch but also hard to walk on.
The cost can vary dramatically depending on the style you’re looking for. Our vinyl flooring options range from very inexpensive at $.0.50 for basic colors and style, to moderately priced at $3.00 for premium luxury styles, including the mock hardwood flooring look.
Similar to laminate flooring, vinyl stands up to heavy traffic, is easy to install, and is easy to maintain. However, if sharp or hard objects fall, they can dent the floor and the flooring can be damaged by extreme temperatures, like the Arizona sun.
Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of installing vinyl flooring:
Laminate flooring is often of superior quality in terms of look and style. It features more realistic embossing that mimics the look of hand-scraped hardwood. Vinyl’s embossing processes may make it appear like wood, but thicker core vinyl flooring looks the nicest and most lifelike.
The materials used to make vinyl and laminate flooring differ. Synthetic materials are used to make vinyl. The base layer of vinyl sheets is usually comprised of fiberglass, which is then covered with PVC vinyl and a plasticizer. After that, it’s embossed with a design and protected with layers of no-wax polyurethane.
The core of laminate, on the other hand, is formed of wood byproducts. After that, it’s sealed with resin. A translucent plastic layer protects the upper layer, which is the surface you walk on, from wear. It’s overlaid on top of the design layer in the color and pattern of your choice. Laminate flooring is a little thicker than vinyl flooring, so it feels warmer and softer when you stand or walk on it.
Water resistance is the main difference between laminate and vinyl flooring, with vinyl coming out on top. The majority of current vinyl flooring is constructed entirely of polymer components, which means they can handle a lot of moisture. It may be soaked in water, dried, and used as usual. Furthermore, vinyl sheets allow you to cover a whole room with a single sheet, eliminating the possibility of water seeping through seams.
Moisture resistance is restricted with laminate. Most items include a fiberboard core, which can swell or soften if exposed to dampness over an extended period of time. The top layers may peel away as a result of the soggy core. As a result, laminate may not be the best choice for rooms with a lot of traffic.
Depending on the type of flooring you pick, laminate and vinyl flooring installation might be rather simple. They might all be wonderful choices for folks who want to do DIY installations.
Laminate flooring is installed with a click-and-lock system. This means that the planks are fitted into the grooves of neighboring boards and fastened in place, which closes the seam. The majority of laminate flooring projects are placed as “floating” floors, which means they may be laid over existing flooring. To cut down parts to fit your floor, you may use a conventional table saw.
Vinyl has a wider range of installation options. Click-and-lock planks, as well as peel-and-stick, glue-down, and other options, are available. Sheet vinyl, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to work with.
Vinyl flooring is simple to clean and keep in good condition. These floors can be mopped with a wet mop, and persistent spots may be scrubbed using suitable cleaning agents. Vinyl can be cleaned in a variety of ways, and it doesn’t require much maintenance other than cleaning.
Because of its low moisture resistance, caring for and cleaning laminate flooring may be a delicate task. Dry techniques, such as a broom or a dry mop, are optimal. Use a moist mop that is almost dry when touched if you need to mop. Aside from that, laminate is rather low-maintenance.
Although laminate flooring is sturdy and long-lasting, it is susceptible to water damage. Scratches on the top layer, on the other hand, are frequently unrepairable. Most laminate flooring may last anywhere from 10 to 25 years, depending on how well it is cared for and maintained.
Vinyl flooring is also recognized for being extremely durable and robust. Vinyl flooring may be deemed poorer-quality due to its cheaper price, yet it can withstand high-traffic areas in your house for up to 20 years. Some vinyl floors might delaminate over time depending on how well they are cared for and maintained.
Which is better for each room: laminate or vinyl flooring? You may need a certain type of flooring depending on the room’s function and the amount of traffic it receives. Where there isn’t a lot of dampness, laminate is a decent choice. Vinyl is a better choice for spaces that see a lot of spills and splashes.
We hope this article has helped you learn about the differences between laminate vs vinyl flooring. Contact us today with your questions. We hope to see you in our showroom!
No matter where you are in your floor buying journey, the dedicated team at Scottsdale Flooring America is here to answer questions, stay within your budget, and have your visions come to life. We have a showroom stocked full of our various flooring options, but don’t feel overwhelmed! We always have knowledgeable and passionate flooring experts available to help.
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Scottsdale Flooring America has been family owned and operated in the valley for over 20 years. Our team believes in the value of local ownership and deep roots within the community. You will receive expert help finding the perfect flooring in Scottsdale for your home with…
Bathroom Flooring Ideas: Elevate Your Space with Scottsdale Flooring America
10250 N
90th St Scottsdale Suite #102,
AZ 85258
Telephone: 480-451-9600
Email: info@scottsdaleflooringamerica.com
