In the kitchen, unless you are asking for a disaster you want hard flooring and not carpet. Hard flooring is easier to clean and better suited for the kitchen environment, but what type of hard flooring do you go for? In this guide, I look specifically at two options – laminate or vinyl in the kitchen. Both are viable choices, but there are key differences that could affect your decision.
Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen
Laminate flooring is supplied in planks and is made of several layers including a wear layer, aesthetic layer, core layer, and built-in underlayment. The core is usually made of some type of fiberboard, and the aesthetic layer has a printed design. Some laminate flooring has built-in underlayment which can make installation quicker too.
Pros
- UV resistance: Laminate flooring in kitchens is usually UV resistant and will not fade or discolour over time.
- Low maintenance: Compared to other types of flooring, laminate planks are low maintenance and easy to clean by comparison although vinyl flooring is easier to maintain.
- Comfortable: Generally, laminate flooring is softer than vinyl flooring and more comfortable to walk on.
Cons
- Prone to water damage: Due to the fibreboard core, laminate flooring can be prone to water damage which can cause serious problems.
- Harder to install: Laminate flooring is more difficult to cut compared to vinyl and the longer planks generally make it a longer installation process.
- Difficult to maintain: Due to the wooden core laminate flooring is more difficult to maintain and it requires more care and attention compared to vinyl.
Vinyl Flooring in the Kitchen
Products like rigid core vinyl flooring in the UK are also made from a series of different layers and are available in more flexible tiles as opposed to planks.
The layers include a top protective layer, several wear layers, the aesthetic layer, a rigid core in the case of rigid core LVT flooring, and a backing layer or underlayment. The main difference when looking at laminate or vinyl in kitchen areas is the core. Laminate has a wooden fiber core whereas only rigid core LVT flooring has a core for vinyl products.
Pros
- Water resistance: Vinyl flooring has excellent water resistance and liquid spill shouldn’t really cause any damage.
- Ease of installation: Regardless of whether you opt for glue-down LVT flooring, or click LVT flooring, both are easy to install.
- Variety of styles and colours: The range of colours and styles for vinyl flooring is fantastic and compared to laminate, they can emulate a wider range of materials such as wood, stone, marble, and ceramic.
- Easier to clean: Due to the water resistance, vinyl flooring is incredibly easy to hoover and mop and you don’t have to be careful with how much water you use when mopping.
- More durable: Generally speaking, vinyl flooring is considered to be the more resilient and durable flooring option.
Cons
- UV resistance: Vinyl flooring has less UV resistance compared to laminate, but you can get UV-resistant variants for a little extra cost.
- Harder to walk on: Typically, vinyl flooring isn’t as forgiving on your feet and is not as soft as laminate flooring to walk on.
Comparing Laminate and Vinyl for Kitchen Use
With the pros and cons outlined, you should already have an idea of whether laminate or vinyl in kitchen areas is more suitable but let’s take a look at different situations.
Durability and water resistance
Vinyl has better water resistance as it does not have a wooden core and isn’t prone to water damage. Both are relatively durable though and can have a lifespan of up to 25 years with maintenance and proper cleaning.
Appearance and style options
Some people say that laminate has a more realistic appearance but luxury vinyl tiles look fantastic and they have the added benefit of deeper embossing which recreates natural material textures. Also, there is usually a larger range of vinyl styles and colours to choose from.
Installation and maintenance
Vinyl flooring is easier to cut compared to laminate and the smaller luxury vinyl tiles give more flexibility in terms of placement. Both are much easier to install compared to other flooring solutions, especially the tongue and groove and click lock methods.
Cost
Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are affordable and some of the cheapest options available. Generally, products like luxury vinyl tile flooring are a little more expensive than laminate but there isn’t much difference.
Laminate or Vinyl in Kitchen Areas – The Final Verdict
I have to give the edge to vinyl flooring for kitchens. The improved waterproofing, durability, and easy maintenance are ideal for use in a kitchen where drinks and food may frequently be spilt. If you opted for laminate, you would simply find it more difficult to maintain and with the constant use and potential water hazards, it could become expensive to keep replacing.
