It's important to know which type of floors you want to use either for your new home, or looking for an upgrade in your existing home. With so many options out there, it's easy to get confused. You want to make sure both options are worth your money, time and effort in installation. This blog post will compare laminate and vinyl flooring to help you make that decision.
Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring Comparison
First things first, what is laminate flooring and what is vinyl flooring? Laminated floorings are made from a layer of compressed paper, plastic or wood laminated to a core sheet. Vinyl floorings are also laminated, but it's laminated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or another polymer instead of paper. So what are the differences between laminate and vinyl? Here's are the basic differences when comparing laminate vs vinyl flooring:
Laminate is more expensive than vinyl
Laminate flooring tends to last longer than vinyl flooring (but not by much)
Laminate flooring has a higher noise level than vinyl, but the difference can be minimal when installed properly.
Vinyl flooring doesn't need to be sealed or floated and installs easier because of its flexibility.
Laminate requires nails whereas for vinyl flooring, you can just use an adhesive that covers the entire surface of the floor, which makes it much easier to install.
Why should you consider vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring can also be installed on top of laminate floors, so if you want your laminate to last or have a higher noise level but don't like the look of vinyl, it's an option. It's easier and cheaper to replace vinyl flooring than laminate because laminate is glued down whereas with vinyl you just pull it up and replace with a new one. Vinyl flooring is also much more cost efficient compared to laminate flooring, so if you're on a budget, laminate may not be the best option for you just because of how costly it can be per square foot.
Why you should consider laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is much more durable and scratch resistant than vinyl, so if you have pets or children that are constantly running around the house then laminate may be your best bet. Laminate flooring also has lower installation costs because it doesn't require glue like some other types of hardwood and this means that you can install laminate on top of carpet without having to tear up the old Laminate flooring is also considered to be much more affordable than vinyl in the long run due to their durability(theoretically speaking), so if you're looking at a long term investment, laminate may be your best option to consider.
Ustik: Self Adhesive Luxury Vinyl Planks that combine the best of both worlds.
If you're still confused whether to get laminate flooring or vinyl flooring, Ustik has the solution for you. Our luxury vinyl planks are created with ease of use and durability in mind. Ustik’s special patented pressure sensitive glue stays in a tacky state for the life of the product, which means you save on installations costs and has a wear layer that makes it resistant to damage from scratches, unlike cheap vinyl planks you find in the market. This makes it the perfect option for flooring if you can't decide between laminate vs vinyl flooring. Our vinyl planks are built to last and can be applied on most surfaces. This includes hardwood floors, timber floors, floors with a textured surface and concrete floors.
Order a sample pack here and see for yourself. With 5 different colours to choose from, there's a perfect pairing solution for any room in the house. If you’re looking for the same planks without the adhesive, check out our loose lay vinyl planks.