Luxury Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring

Key Takeaways: Luxury Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring

• Which flooring is best for my home?
• Are they both waterproof?
• Is luxury vinyl flooring more expensive than laminate flooring?
• Where can I buy both types of floor?
• Is there different types of installation for both?
• What styles are both floors available in?

Laminate flooring has been around in the UK for many decades as a widely available choice of flooring for many different environments, both domestic and even commercial and light industrial. It has stood the test of time as a durable and value-for-money flooring choice for many consumers. With the arrival and subsequent growth of luxury vinyl flooring the options for your new floor and now greater then ever.

Both of these types of floors can be installed with confidence in the home. They are both suitable for most rooms and whilst unfortunately you cannot describe laminate flooring as strictly waterproof (However, the vast majority of laminate floorboards are very water resistant), LVT Flooring as it is becoming known, can be described as waterproof. All LVT floors, whether vinyl click or glue-down, are fully waterproof, which makes them a great, safe choice for bathrooms and kitchens. First we will take a look at the definitions, properties, features and benefits of laminate flooring and then we will go through the same for luxury vinyl tiles.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a type of flooring made up of multiple layers of material that are fused together under high pressure. The top layer is a photograph or image of natural materials such as wood, stone, or tile, while the bottom layer is a high-density fibreboard. The middle layers provide stability and support. Laminate flooring has come a long way since it was first created many years ago. The days when laminate previously utilised a non-descript smooth matt wood effect finish are now consigned to the history books. Laminate flooring is a popular choice for its durability, resistance to scratches and stains, and ease of installation. It is also less expensive than natural materials such as hardwood or stone.

Wood effect laminate flooring now uses a true to life natural wood effect finish, which creates a much more realistic real wood effect. Once a laminate floor is laid it is often difficult to tell the difference between a real wood floor and a laminate! Laminate is easy to install, easy to care for and comes in a huge range of styles and finishes to suit just about any room. We offer an excellent range of leading laminate flooring manufacturers whose products will all deliver the following for your home or workspace:

• Easy installation
• Beautiful design
• Quality for life

What are Luxury Vinyl Tiles?

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a type of flooring that is made to resemble natural materials such as wood or stone. It is made of several layers, including a clear wear layer that protects against scratches and stains, a printed design layer, and a backing layer that provides stability and support. Luxury vinyl tile flooring is an excellent substitute for natural wood flooring as well, letting you enjoy the aesthetics without the issues that come with solid wooden flooring, such as liquid absorption.

They are the perfect alternative for people who want a natural look but don’t want the associated maintenance issues. There are three types of luxury vinyl flooring: dry back (glue down), click (including SPC rigid core) and self-adhesive. There are 4 styles to choose from: plank (mostly wood effect), tiles (mostly stone effect), parquet or herringbone style and abstract designs. Luxury vinyl tile is a popular choice because it is durable, easy to clean, and can be used in a variety of settings. It is also typically less expensive than natural materials and can be used to create a wide range of design styles. Some of the benefits of LVT flooring include water resistance, durability, and ease of installation. It's also available in a variety of finishes, such as wood, stone, and tile.

What are the Differences in Price between Laminate Floor and LVT?

You can purchase both of these floors from multiple different type of outlets these days. Both laminate floor and LVT are available to buy from your local carpet and flooring shop in the high street or shopping parade. They can also be found at the big sheds such as B&Q, Wickes, Tapi and Carpetright. Where LVT has really taken off is online sales. Laminate flooring on the other hand is not as popular to buy on the Internet as luxury vinyl flooring. This is most probably down to the fact that LVT is a boxed product and can be more safely transported across the UK to a nominated delivery address, be it residential or commercial. Laminate flooring on the other hand being a sheet/roll product is more fragile and expensive to deliver safely.

Prices for both can vary quite substantially depending on the brand that you choose and the type of construction (where LVT is concerned). Laminate flooring prices can range between £15m2 right through to around £80m2 for a very exclusive brand of laminate floor. Luxury vinyl flooring has an average price in the UK of roughly £45m2, although again you can buy a great LVT floor at much less than this (in fact we have a great selection at Flooring Hut), or you can go further upmarket and choose an LVT such as the Amtico Signature range which is their bespoke collection and retails for nearer £70m2 through to £90m2.

Conclusions

Both these types of floors have a valued place in the line-up of potential choices both in the home and commercial spaces. The more important points to make are not whether you choose laminate flooring over LVT but more that you follow the guidelines below to ensure that the decision you make, irrespective of laminate vs luxury vinyl floor is one that is considered and that you have done your research thoroughly:

• Are you looking for a roll floor (laminate) or a plank/tile style (LVT)
• Where you buy and check the reputation of the retailer
• What brand you buy and check the reputation of the brand/manufacturer
• Suitability for the room in which you are installing
• Ease of transportation to your nominated delivery address
• Potential for damages in transportation if you buy online
• Choose a professional installer and check availability before purchasing the floor

Click Here to Explore Our Blog Article on This Topic