Laminate Vs. Vinyl Flooring: Which Is The Best Choice For Your Home?

Discover the factors to consider when choosing between the two.

Whether you just bought a new house and are choosing flooring options, or are ready to renovate your apartment floors, choosing the best flooring option for your lifestyle and budget might be a bit tricky. Laminate and vinyl flooring are two types of popular flooring options that many homeowners have been installing, but both are a bit different in terms of their composition, durability, limitations, and more.

Below, we reached out to Jen Meska, Head of Merchandising at LL Flooring in Richmond, Virginia, for her insight on all things laminate vs. vinyl flooring. Read on to find out which option is best for you and your home.

Meet The Expert

• Jen Meska is the Head of Merchandising at LL Flooring in Richmond, Virginia.

Overview of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is composed of three layers: first, wood fiber and resin are combined under extreme heat and pressure to create a high-density, dent-resistant core. Then, the printed image is fused on top of the core—this provides the visual look of the floor. On top is a wear layer, a clear top coating that provides extreme scratch resistance. This is often stamped with a textures plate to give the realistic look of wood grain texture that you can see and feel.

According to Meska, laminate flooring is a go-to choice for homes with a lot of traffic or regular activity. “Between the ease of cleaning, its scratch- and dent-resistance, and its budget-friendly price tag, these floors are reliable and strong, and don’t require lots of regular upkeep or deep cleaning,” she says. “Regular sweeping or vacuuming, with occasional mopping, will extend the life of laminate floors and keep them looking as good as the day they were installed.”

Laminate is a highly resilient floor that offers a lot of benefits, but there are drawbacks, too. Because laminates use a photographic layer adhered to the core, that layer can’t be refinished in cases of damage, unlike floors like solid or engineered hardwood, which can be refinished to give a longer lifespan. Additionally, while many laminate styles are waterproof, they can be more susceptible to water damage. Plus, they can also stain easier than other types of flooring.

Overview of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is composed of a synthetic material known for its durability, waterproof protection, and easy maintenance. Similar to laminate, a printed layer is adhered to the compressed PVC core, topped with a clear wear layer that protects from surface scratches or dents. It’s also easy to clean, requiring just a regular sweeping and an occasional damp mop, according to Meska.

Vinyl flooring is widely popular among homeowners for being waterproof, scratch-resistant, affordable, and easy to install. It’s also loved for its realistic wood-like appearance—it offers the natural appeal of hardwood flooring with the affordability and durability of vinyl. “Vinyl is a great floor type for more humid climates and any room of the home, especially moisture-prone areas like mudrooms, kitchens, or bathrooms,” says Meska.

Like laminate, vinyl is a high-performing floor with loads of benefits, but also like laminate, vinyl’s photographic top layer cannot be refinished or sanded down like hardwood, making it difficult to repair in cases of damage. “The solution to this is to always take care of your floors—no floor is indestructible, and homeowners can avoid causing major damage by practicing basic maintenance, using furniture pads, and quickly cleaning up spills,” suggests Meska.

Comparison of Laminate and Vinyl Flooring

Similarities

Laminate and vinyl floors share a lot of similarities in their structure, cost, and upkeep. They’re both crafted from highly compressed cores, finished with a photo layer that can present a variety of stylish appearances, and a clear wear layer that provides scratch and dent protection.

“Both of these floors also come at a lower cost than their hardwood counterparts, making them budget-friendly options that homeowners love,” says Meska. “They’re similarly easy to keep clean, requiring a regular sweeping to remove surface dirt and an occasional damp mop to remove finer particles.”

Lifespan

The overall lifespan of vinyl will really depend on the level of maintenance and regular use over time. If it is thick, high-quality vinyl, it could last upwards of 25 years. But if it is thinner vinyl and isn’t maintained properly, it will probably last closer to 10 years. “It’s important to emphasize that the lifespan really depends on the use of the floor and care—vinyl is great at protecting against scratches and dents, and all of LL Flooring’s vinyl is waterproof, making it easier to keep moisture from causing damage to the planks,” explains Meska.

The lifespan of laminate is pretty similar. Laminate flooring can also last up to 25 years, but if it’s not properly maintained, it could only last between five and 10 years, unfortunately.

Installation Process and Maintenance

Both laminate and vinyl are great DIY options and many people turn to them for that reason. Both floors are commonly available with an easy click-and-lock system of installation that doesn’t require a glue-down or nail-down install. “It’s also worth noting that there are fewer tools needed for vinyl installation: cutting laminate planks requires a circle saw or table saw (and the necessary experience to match), while vinyl planks can be cut with just a small utility knife,” says Meska.

What’s so great about laminate and vinyl is they both are easy to maintain and care for. Given their strong construction and protective wear layer, these floors are highly scratch-resistant, and all vinyl floors are waterproof.

As a result, you can use vacuums and brooms, as well as wet, jet, or steam mops to keep them clean without fear of damage—though it’s always best practice to avoid large amounts of water, according to Meska. For best results, use a laminate floor-specific cleaner to ensure a streak-free finish without any waxy residue buildup found in some household cleaners.

To care for your vinyl or laminate floors, your best bet is to start by sweeping or vacuuming your floor to eliminate fine particles of grit that act like sandpaper and may dull your floors. “Follow with floor cleaner and a wet mop with a microfiber pad,” suggests Meska. “Then dry mop to absorb any extra moisture on the floor.” For each step, it’s best to start at one end of your floor and work in a consistent direction to avoid just moving dirt around the floor.

It is important to remember that you should never use wax or oil on your laminate or vinyl floors, as the residue from these products can dull the finish of the floor. If a stain happens, never use nail polish remover or acetone to try and remove it, as these can damage your floors permanently. Using a floor-specific cleaner, a microfiber rag, and a little elbow grease should remove any stain you come across.

“The bottom line: regular sweeping or vacuuming, with occasional mopping, will extend the life of your floor and keep it looking as great as the day it was installed,” says Meska.

Cost and Affordability

Both laminate and vinyl are pretty similar in terms of cost. “At LL Flooring, our laminate and vinyl floors are both matched in price, typically ranging from $0.69–$3.99 per square foot for laminate and $1.69–$4.99 per square foot for vinyl,” explains Meska. “That relatively low cost for a high level of quality and the beautiful, natural appearance is a big reason why homeowners flock to both floors.” What’s so cool about both these types of flooring is that they each provide a hyper-realistic look of true hardwood, while offering a lower price tag for high-performance floors that can stand up to everyday wear and tear.

Aesthetic Options

“Our customers are often amazed when they see floors that are vinyl or laminate because today’s printing technology can make these floors look just like authentic hardwood, stone, or tile, presenting intricate and stylish patterns that closely mimic the look of true natural materials,” says Meska. “In many cases, they also feel authentic underfoot with their textures, which is another bonus.” There are countless looks people can select when it comes to laminate and vinyl designs.

However, laminate flooring does tend to look a little bit more high-quality than vinyl. This is because laminate can come in so many different colors, woods, stones, and more.

Considerations for Choosing Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring

According to Meska, today's laminate has come a long way—it’s not your grandmother’s flooring anymore. “While most homeowners like to put waterproof laminate in mudrooms, bathrooms, and basements, we are seeing customers bring them further into their living spaces, especially because they also stand up to household traffic given their tough, scratch-resistant qualities,” explains Meska.

However, vinyl is known for its tough waterproof exterior, and might be a better option for folks in wetter climates, or in areas of your home that seem to get wet more easily (like the bathroom or mudroom). It’s a good flooring option for folks who have kids, pets, or deal with a lot of spills and need a floor that can withstand these.

Both of these types of flooring are pretty scratch-resistant, but just like most floors, they aren’t entirely indestructible. “Due to the protective layer that covers these floors, many of these floors will deliver excellent scratch-resistance, making them great for busy households, plus for pets,” explains Meska. But when going through any floor selection journey, it’s always important to speak with your flooring retailer to understand your floor selection’s qualities, how your floor will perform, and what’s best for your lifestyle and home.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of flooring is more durable?

Both laminate and vinyl floors offer qualities that perform very well to prevent scratches, dents and water damage, and as a result both styles are go-to choices for homeowners that want that peace of mind. In more cases, the higher-end vinyl floors do have an edge in their strength and will deliver more protection, according to Meska.

What are the maintenance requirements for laminate and vinyl flooring?

Vacuum floors and use a laminate- or vinyl-specific cleaner on a wet mop with a microfiber pad to wipe down floors. Dry mop to absorb any extra moisture on the floor. Never use wax or oil on your vinyl or laminate floors, and always pick up spills as soon as they happen.

Is laminate flooring more affordable than vinyl flooring?

They are both around the same price.

Are laminate and vinyl flooring scratch-resistant?

Yes, most are scratch-resistant, but they are not totally indestructible, so you always need to be a bit careful.

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