Flooring plays an important role during the construction of a new house, commercial buildings, halls, and so on. The choice of flooring also plays a vital role.
Laminate flooring is a type of flooring made from layers of wood or plastic, whereas Vinyl planks are made from synthetic material (a mix of PVC resins and other substances).
Key Takeaways
- Vinyl plank flooring is made from synthetic and waterproof materials, while laminate flooring consists of a wood-based and water-resistant core.
- Vinyl plank flooring offers greater durability and can handle more moisture, making it suitable for high-traffic and damp areas.
- Laminate flooring provides a more realistic wood look and feels but requires more care to prevent damage from moisture.
Vinyl Plank vs Laminate Flooring
The difference between vinyl plank and laminate flooring is that laminate flooring is budget-friendly, whereas vinyl plank is considered expensive. Laminate flooring has less durability, but on the other hand, the Vinyl plank has a good lifespan and better durability. Vinyl plank is a popular choice among people when compared to laminate flooring.
Vinyl plank is made up of completely synthetic material, which is a mixture of PVC resins and other substances. This type of composition of the plank has proven to be good moisture resistance.
The core layer of the vinyl plank flooring is made of thick and multi-layered PVC vinyl. Vinyl plank is durable and easier to maintain.
Laminate flooring closely resembles vinyl planks with its appearance and the process of installation. Laminate flooring is composed of wood byproducts along with resins.
It provides the appearance of an authentic hardwood floor. This type of flooring is as popular as other floorings sold in the United States of America.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Vinyl Plank | Laminate Flooring |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Vinyl planks are made of completely synthetic material. The composition of the material is a mixture of PVC resins and other substances. | Laminate floorings are made of wood products. The composition of the laminate flooring is a mixture of wood byproducts and other resins. |
| Waterproof | Vinyl planks are completely water and moisture-proof. This ability to be moisture-proof allows vinyl planks to become popularly used in areas prone to moisture. | Laminate floorings are not water or moisture-proof at all. They tend to become damaged if the water stays on the flooring for a long time. |
| Cleaning | Vinyl planks are easier to clean. Wet mops or steam mops can be used. Mild and non-abrasive cleaners are only allowed. | Laminate floorings are more difficult to clean. It can be cleaned with dry, laminate-specific products. Wet mops are not allowed. |
| Maintenance | Maintaining vinyl planks is simple. But no wax products should be used on vinyl or vinyl planks to restore the shining factor. | Maintaining laminate floorings is not as easy as vinyl planks. Only laminate-specific products should be used to restore the shine. |
| Comfort | Vinyl planks are not as comfortable as laminate floorings. Installation of planks on the subfloor without any insulation can result in a chilled feel. | Laminate floorings are more comfortable. Sound is reduced due to the underlayment. Wooden byproducts provide a comfortable walking experience over laminate floorings. |
What is Vinyl Plank?
Vinyl plank is one of the most popular types of flooring used in the United States. This type of flooring is completely made of synthetic material. The composition of a vinyl plank is a mixture of PVC resins along with other substances.
The core layer of this popular flooring is built from thick and multi-layered PVC vinyl.
Vinyl flooring is a very commonly used type of flooring in the United States market. According to research conducted in 2019, vinyl plank covered around 22% of the overall flooring market in the United States. It is valued at around 6 billion dollars. It is much more popular than laminate flooring.
There are some important advantages to vinyl planks which make them one of the best floorings in the market. The durability of the vinyl plank is unmatchable. It can survive any type of weather and stays intact for longer periods of time.
The composition of the vinyl plank proves it to be a good resistance to moisture.
Their capacity of being water-resistant makes vinyl plank the most sought type of flooring to be used in kitchens and bathrooms that are prone to moisture. The installation of vinyl planks is very simple. The planks form a floor interlocking side-to-side.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is another type of flooring that is not very popular in the American market. They Laminate flooring is composed of wood byproducts along with other resins. The appearance of the laminate flooring heavily resembles the hardwood flooring.
So, it is a great choice to make if one needs a hardwood look for their house.
Laminate flooring is not as popular as other types of flooring in the United States. According to research in 2019, the sales of laminate floorings in the United States of America were 898 million dollars. The total value of the sales is just a simple 3% of the overall flooring market.
The appearance of hardwood attracts a lot of customers towards laminate flooring. It is very similar to the vinyl plank in the process of installation. Laminate flooring is not suggested at all for kitchens and bathrooms.
This type of flooring is not water or moisture-resistant and will be damaged if the water stays on them for a long time.
Another important factor that is never considered is the comfortable experience underfoot. Laminate flooring is made of thicker wood, and it provides a comfortable experience of walking over the floor. It is best suited for living rooms and bedrooms.
Main Differences Between Vinyl Plank and Laminate Flooring
- Vinyl planks are made of synthetic material composed of a mixture of PVC resins and other substances. Laminate floorings are made with a composition of a mixture of wood byproducts and other resins.
- Vinyl planks are completely water and moisture-proof. Laminate floorings are not water or moisture-proof. Damages can occur if the water stays on the flooring for too long.
- Vinyl planks can be cleaned by using wet mops or steam mops, mild and non-abrasive cleaners. Laminate floorings can be cleaned by dry and laminate-specific products, and wet mops are not recommended.
- Vinyl planks are used mainly in kitchens and bathrooms. Laminate floorings are commonly used in living rooms and bedrooms due to their comfort.
- Vinyl planks can be maintained easily, and wax products are not recommended. Laminate floorings can use laminate-specific products to maintain the floors.
Last Updated : 12 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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