Luxury Vinyl Flooring or Laminate Flooring?
Struggling to choose flooring on a budget and tight timeline? Consider the benefits of stylish laminate or luxury vinyl flooring. Both options offer beautiful designs, but which will last longer in your home? Dive into our comparison guide to discover the advantages each product offers – so you can find just what you need.
Time to Update Your Floors
When you make the decision to update your home, flooring can be one of the most important aspects. Different types of flooring come with their own unique benefits but also come with their own drawbacks. It’s important to be aware of what type of flooring would best fit in with your lifestyle and also complement the style of your home. Not all floors are created equal, so finding a flooring solution that pairs perfectly with both is key. Whether you take on this project yourself or contact an expert like Flowers Flooring to guide you along the way, carefully evaluating your options will ensure that your flooring investment will last for years to come.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Luxury Vinyl Flooring is the perfect combination of style and practicality. It’s strong enough to withstand foot traffic, spills, and dropped items while also providing a comfortable underfoot experience. Plus, it comes in textured visuals that add an extra touch of elegance! Not only that, but its cost-efficient price point makes LVT floor installation easy on your wallet as well – so you can have beautiful floors without breaking the bank.
Laminate
Laminate flooring offers homeowners a great way to achieve the look of hardwood floors without breaking the bank. It’s an incredibly versatile option for all types of homes and interiors, offering authentic wood and stone looks that are sure to impress guests. Laminate flooring is scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and most varieties come with warranties of up to 25 years. It also stands up well against moisture, making it ideal for use in basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Laminate flooring comes in a wide range of colors, styles and textures so you can customize your look to fit any décor. Whether you prefer light or dark shades, traditional or modern designs, laminate flooring can give your home an elegant and timeless look. The versatility of laminate, combined with its durability, make it a great choice for busy households. To guarantee optimal performance that lasts years, ensure your chosen plank has been certified by NALFA (North American Laminate Floor Association).
Easy Installation
Homeowners cherish both LVT and laminate for the ease of installation- tremendously easier than installing hardwood floors! Not only does LVT have easy to use locking systems for floating floor installation, these floors can be installed in high moisture, high traffic, and below-grade areas. Laminate products can often be installed as a floating floor with DIY capability, but it’s important to verify the installation requirements of your product before assuming it can go where
you envision the finished floor.
With both laminate and LVT flooring, you can have hardwood allure in areas that are not a great fit for real wood. Whereas some laminate products are water-resistant, LVT is waterproof! So for rooms that will see continued exposure to water or possible standing water, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms, LVT is a better fit. Also, some laminate products are unsuitable for below-grade rooms, but LVT will be fine for these locations. However, for kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and living rooms, laminate will lend outstanding durability with less expansion and contraction than true wood floors during seasonal change. Both flooring types are great for active homes. Just be sure to heed the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Maintenance Levels
Keeping laminate and LVT floors clean is simple. They offer the same level of easy maintenance and upkeep, so there isn’t a clear winner in the LVT vs laminate battle. For everyday upkeep, sweep up debris, dust mop often and give your floor occasional vacuuming sessions. Spot treat messes as they appear to keep the surface of the floor free from grime. Further still, if a section needs repair for whatever reason, it’s easy – both types are easily repaired by a flooring pro without tearing out the entire floor.
Disadvantages of LVT and Laminate
Luxury vinyl and laminate flooring are trendy, affordable, and attractive alternatives to hardwood floors, but there are some cons to consider before selecting either option. While it looks like real wood and may be more affordable, it won’t last as long; due to the soft material, luxury vinyl tiles are prone to dents, scratches, and wear as well as discoloration over time. Unlike hardwood floors, they cannot be refinished to return them to new and repair scrateches or dents.
Proper installation also may mean adding padding or underlayment beneath it to protect. Many people love the idea of a beautiful hardwood floor but find the cost prohibitive. However, while luxury vinyl tile or laminate flooring may seem like an economical version of hardwood floors in the short-term, its lack of durability should be considered before making any decisions on its suitability for your home.
Shopping for New Flooring
Now that you know a little more about LVT and laminate flooring, it’s time to decide which type is right for your home. If you need help making a choice, be sure to talk to one of our professional flooring service representatives, who can guide you based on your specific needs and preferences and schedule a free in home estimate for you.
About Flowers Flooring
Flowers Flooring is your family flooring specialist with two locations – Cornelius, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation, including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting, and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.
