It’s easy to become overwhelmed when shopping for new flooring. The sheer number of options can make your head spin, and homeowners rarely even know where to start.
Don’t worry, we’ll try to help by exploring a few of the key differences between two especially popular products: water-resilient laminate and luxury vinyl plank.
Water-Resilient Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank: Construction and Materials
To begin, it’s important to discuss the materials and construction methods used to create each of these flooring types, as these factors greatly influence some of the characteristics that matter most to homeowners.
Water-Resilient Laminate
Designed to resemble real wood while sidestepping some of its drawbacks, water-resilient laminate is made from a number of layers that are adhered (laminated) to each other. The core is composed of high-density fiberboard (HDF)—an engineered product made from wood fibers, resin, and wax, which are then compressed together under high temperatures and pressures.
The second layer—called the design layer—is essentially a high-resolution digital print. Typically, the print is designed to resemble a natural wooden board, but some laminate floors are instead designed to mimic stone or some other material. The wear layer is the outermost layer, and it is typically made from aluminum oxide or melamine resin. It protects the inner layers from abrasion, scuffing, chemical exposure, and UV degradation.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Like water-resilient laminate, luxury vinyl plank is also a multi-layer product. It typically consists of a rigid core, though these cores come in several different forms, including stone-plastic composite (SPC), wood-polymer composite (WPC), and engineered solid-plastic composite (ESPC).
Outside of the core, luxury vinyl plank features an enhanced 3-D printed texture, which replicates both the look and feel of real wood. Most luxury vinyl planks also feature an aluminum oxide wear layer, like water-resilient laminate floors, to provide protection from abrasion, wear, and UV exposure.
Water-Resilient Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank: How Do They Compare?
Now that you understand the basic differences between the way these two flooring types are constructed, we can see how they compare in different contexts.
Water Resistance
While water-resilient laminate is able to withstand moisture than some other flooring materials, it still features a wood-fiber core, which will swell and deform if it absorbs moisture. Luxury vinyl plank cores, on the other hand, are typically composed of plastic and/or stone, so they are completely waterproof (WPC vinyl plank is not as water-resistant, thanks to the wood fibers in its core).
Durability
While both types of flooring are relatively durable, luxury vinyl plank is generally the more durable option of the two. Laminate floors cannot be repaired if they become damaged, so scratches, dings, and other blemishes will be permanent.
Luxury vinyl floors, however, are generally quite resistant to scratches and other damage. This is part of the reason they’re often used in high-traffic areas, including commercial settings. Nevertheless, the quality of the specific floor you choose is important to consider, as lower-quality luxury vinyl floors are less abrasion-resistant than high-quality products.
Maintenance
Both floors are easy to sweep on a routine basis, but you’ll need to approach both floor types differently when considering more thorough cleaning sessions. Because luxury vinyl floors are more water-resistant than laminate flooring options, they can be cleaned with a wet mop. By contrast, you’ll generally have to use dry cleaning methods when cleaning laminate floors to prevent warping. This typically means that vinyl floors are easier to maintain.
Cost
Very high-end luxury vinyl floors can be considerably more expensive than laminate options. However, at low and moderate price points, the floors generally cost about the same per square foot.
Room Suitability
It’s always important to consider the room you’ll be installing your new floors in when deciding on the best floor material for the job. Luxury vinyl flooring is much more flexible, given its superior water resistance and durability, and you can use it in just about any room in your home. From bathrooms to bedrooms to kitchens to living rooms, it’ll work just about anywhere. By contrast, laminate floors are not a great choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, or any other areas that may become wet or see a lot of foot traffic.
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Both luxury vinyl plank and water-resilient laminate can work very well in most homes. Luxury vinyl is likely the better option in most cases, given its superior moisture resistance, durability, and flexibility, but laminate floors can be a fantastic choice for bedrooms and other dry, low-traffic areas.
As always, you’ll obtain the best results by considering your specific needs and selecting the option which will best satisfy them. But you don’t have to do this alone; we’d love to help! Just contact one of our showrooms or schedule a consultation. One of our customer service experts will gladly discuss your needs and help you make the best choice you can.