Is Luxury Vinyl Better Than Laminate Flooring?

Many people believe that hybrid vinyl and laminate flooring are two different names for the same product. Two decades ago this might have been the truth. Today, however, there’s a huge difference between premium vinyl and laminate flooring.

Let’s take a closer look at four of the most important qualities of flooring solutions: Look and Feel, Durability and Reliability, Applications, and Price. We will compare these characteristics of premium vinyl and laminate flooring to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Look And Feel

The design of vinyl and laminate flooring is very similar, they both offer timber flooring looks. As both products use advanced 3D printing solutions, both of them are able to replicate various natural materials and textures with excellent accuracy. The real gain is the extremely low price of these floors in comparison to stone, wood, and other such exquisite materials. Briefly put, both vinyl and laminate are as versatile as to suit almost any type of interior design style or project, no matter how complex.

Durability And Reliability

Before getting into more details, let’s see what durability and reliability mean.

Durability – The hardness of the top layer of the floor. The more durable this layer is, the less wear and tear your flooring will be subject to overtime.

Reliability – The ability of the floor to hold its shape and size even in high humidity or climate change conditions. More often than not, the thicker the floor, the better its reliability. Also, the quality of the materials can make a difference in terms of stability and reliability.

Both hybrid and laminate floors feature a top layer that has a protective role, a photographic layer showcasing the desired pattern, and a backing system. The difference between the two is the composition of these layers.

Most laminate floors are made from HDF, a high-density board made up of recycled wood. As laminate isn’t waterproof, you should never install it in bathrooms, kitchens, or any other spaces that are prone to high humidity or accidental spills. Laminate best suits rooms with controlled air temperature.

On the contrary, hybrid floorboards has excellent waterproof properties, thanks to its very structure. Parterre vinyl, for instance, is ideal for high-humidity areas. Even though vinyl floors don’t require a sealant, applying one could prove to be a great idea if you intend to install these floors in high-moisture areas.

Even though laminate is a hard floor, it is also hollow. This means that you should only apply it on even and smooth surfaces. Vinyl has the ability to expand and contract without breaking, being, therefore, a better solution for intense traffic areas. Both vinyl and laminate are easy to clean.

Applications

Taking into consideration the characteristics of the two types of flooring, we can safely say that premium hybrid vinyl flooring is more versatile and suitable for a wider array of applications than laminate. In commercial buildings that have to withstand high-moisture and frequent spills, vinyl behaves much better and lasts much longer.

Vinyl flooring suits any industry or area of activity. On the contrary, laminate doesn’t work so well for those industries with high levels of humidity or frequent exposure to water and other liquid spills.

Price

Here’s the ultimate detail you need to know whether to choose vinyl or laminate flooring for your building. Laminate costs $20—$30 per square foot. This is slightly lower than the price of the cheapest premium vinyl which is around $30 to $40. As you can see, at similar prices, vinyl offers more flexibility and has wider applicability. The best choice is obvious. Visit Timber Flooring Melbourne to get the best product and installation service that will make you happy for such a long time.