Choosing the right flooring for your home should be one of the first interior design decisions you make. The right floor will hold together your other design choices, add value to your home and give enjoyment to you and your family for years to come. So we’ve put together this vinyl vs laminate flooring guide to help you make the right decision.

Flooring is of course decorative, with such a wide range of modern finishes and colours to choose from it is possible to perfectly blend or contrast your floor with your other furnishings.

However when choosing either a laminate or vinyl floor, your first thoughts should be practical ones. Flooring needs to last a long time and suit the purpose of the room in which it is fitted. To help you to make a choice between vinyl and laminate flooring we look at the pros and cons of both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring.

Vinyl vs laminate flooring – What are the differences?

There is one main and obvious difference between vinyl and laminate flooring; whereas vinyl flooring is made from 100% plastics, laminate flooring is constructed from 99% wood.

Vinyl flooring is made from coloured pieces of polyvinyl chloride, which are bonded using heat and pressure. Laminate floors have 3 layers, the bottom layer is a protective, moisture resistant lining, the middle, thickest layer is made of high-density fibreboard and the top layer is a high-resolution photographic image printed onto a man-made surface.

The pros of vinyl flooring

• Durability – vinyl flooring is very durable and should last for up to 20 years.
• Water resistance – vinyl flooring has an inbuilt resistance to water and could in theory survive days of being submerged.
• Adaptability – vinyl flooring is flexible because it is made of man-made materials that have some elements of elasticity built into them.
• Cost-effectiveness- vinyl flooring is a cost-effective flooring solution, although prices will vary according to design and pattern.
• Protection – vinyl flooring offers protection to the floor underneath.
• Speed – installing vinyl flooring is relatively quick and easy.
• Maintenance – it is easy to keep vinyl flooring in tiptop condition, just wash it with water or vinyl floor cleaner.
• Variation – the range of vinyl floors is vast with modern options including the look and feel of natural solutions such as wood and stone.

The cons of vinyl flooring

• Toxicity – because vinyl is not a natural material it can discharge compounds into the air. This may be a problem for those with breathing difficulties or asthma.
• Colour fade – some vinyl floors can fade over time, particularly if they are regularly exposed to direct sunlight.
• Removal – if your vinyl floor is badly damaged it can’t be refinished like natural wood floors. Removal can be tricky and may damage the floor underneath.

The pros of laminate flooring

• Durability – laminate floors are more durable than wooden boards and can be used in areas of your home that experience high traffic.
• Installation – laminate flooring has interlocking joints, which make them easy to install.
• Pet friendly – laminate flooring is a great solution if you have pets because it is scratch-resistant.
• Resale value – more and more homebuyers are looking for homes with laminate flooring.

The cons of laminate flooring

• Cost – laminate flooring is a cheaper alternative than wooden floors but is considerably more expensive than vinyl.
• Refinishing – like vinyl floors, it is sometimes impossible to refinish a damaged laminate floor. Replacement is the only option.
• Maintenance – maintaining a laminate floor can be a chore because using water too often or too much water can damage it.

Choosing the floor will be one of the most important decisions you make for your home. If you have any questions about your flooring needs please feel free to contact our expert team. We offer professional advice, an unrivalled choice of products and expert installation for a wide variety of flooring types. For peace of mind we also offer maintenance and care advice. For a free, no-obligation quote get in touch with us today.

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