If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to timber flooring, you may be tossing up between vinyl flooring and laminate flooring. Both vinyl and laminate flooring have become excellent imitations of timber floors, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here we will take you through the difference between the two so that you can decide which is right for your home.

The Difference Between Laminate Flooring and Vinyl Flooring

Composition

Though they may look similar, laminate and vinyl flooring are mostly made of completely different materials. Vinyl flooring is entirely synthetic, comprised of a strong base layer such as fiberglass, coated with a vinyl covering. This differs from laminate as laminate flooring is almost entirely made of wood products apart from the hard plastic covering on the surface. This means that, while at face value they can look the same, they are actually two entirely different products with different strengths and weaknesses.

Durability

Both vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are durable, scratch resistant options that can last over 20 years when taken care of. The differences between them affect the durability of the flooring when it comes to water damage. Due to being made of completely synthetic materials, vinyl is much more waterproof than laminate flooring. This makes vinyl a better option for wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens.

Feel

The difference in the composition of the materials also affects their feel underfoot. Laminate flooring much more closely resembles the feel of hardwood flooring, due to its thickness and the fact that it is mostly comprised of wood material. Vinyl flooring often times feels much harder and colder underfoot due to it being thinner and not retaining heat.

Resale Value

Timber flooring is usually the best option for a higher resale value, but between laminate and vinyl flooring homeowners seem to prefer laminate. This isn’t going to make a vast amount of difference, but the fact that laminate has a closer feel and look to true hardwood floors makes it more appealing than vinyl for buyers.

The differences between vinyl and laminate flooring both have their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing which is right for your home will depend on your household and needs, but they are both terrific cheaper alternatives that realistically mimic the look of timber floors. For more useful information, check out our blog.