If you're in the market for affordable, attractive alternatives to genuine materials, you've probably looked at both luxury vinyl flooring and laminate– and wondered about the difference.
They both offer style, durability, low maintenance, and uncomplicated installation. The similarity ends there, however. Read on to learn more about the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl flooring.
First, the basics: composition
The composition may be the most significant difference, creating behavioral dissimilarities.
Luxury vinyl flooring is entirely synthetic. It's made of PVC with plasticizers and is both durable and waterproof.
While laminate is synthetic, the core is composed of wood byproducts. The core is made of wood fiberboard; while it, too, is durable, it's water-resistant, not waterproof.
Waterproof vs. water-resistant flooring
Whether you choose luxury vinyl tile or vinyl plank flooring, the product's PVC composition is impenetrable to water, submerged, or spilled on.
Since PVC is waterproof, the capability is inherent.
The laminate must be wiped immediately unless the new waterproof version repels spills.
Appearance
Luxury vinyl can be cut into floorboards to mimic hardwood floors. Luxury vinyl can also be cut into square, tile-sized pieces, used mainly to echo stone and tile looks.
Some people also use squares for wood to echo wood-look tiles. Laminate flooring is available in the planks-only form.
What you choose is a matter of personal style and needs. When shopping for laminate or LVP flooring in Cape Coral, FL, you'll see top brands such as Mannington, RevWood, SolidTech, and more.
Floating floors vs. glue-down
Laminate’s almost always installed to float. While luxury vinyl flooring is often installed to float, it can also be glued.
Your experts on laminate and vinyl plank flooring
Whether you want luxury vinyl flooring, laminate, or genuine wood, we'll help you choose what's suitable for your home. With over 40 years of experience, the family-owned Floor-Mart can help you turn vision into reality.
Visit our Cape Coral, FL, showroom, and you'll be glad you came in. We service Cape Coral, LaBelle, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Punta Gorda.
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