Flooring can be a major – but necessary – expense.

Which is the better option for you? What’s the difference between luxury vinyl plank and laminate aside from price?

Let’s find out.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

LVP is designed to mimic the traditional hardwood floor look, but the material is made from polyvinyl chloride, a synthetic material that looks like wood flooring minus the cost. Luxury vinyl does increase a home’s resale value, so it’s a go-to option for homeowners that may sell their home in the future.

Pros

• LVP is 100% waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about spills, leaks or floods
• Comes in endless styles and patters that mimic perfectly wood or stone
• Furniture is less likely to leave marks, although we still recommend furniture pads
• Smooth and shiny texture, with advancements removing the “plastic” look
• Comes in all price points from the most budget friendly options to luxurious.
• Scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about pet nails or dropping something on the floor
• Can be reused if you want to replace the flooring in the future
• Can be installed with glue or as a floating floor
• Typically comes with a lifetime warranty, but length will vary by manufacturer

Cons

• Can’t tolerate high heat. Won’t work on heated floors or in areas with high sun exposure
• Less eco-friendly than laminate, although it can be recycled in a few facilities
• Cheaper LVP can have a synthetic look and feel

Cleaning will require light vacuuming and sweeping. You can use a floor cleaner for an extra shine. A wet mop will not damage your LVP floors. You’ll find LVP in a variety of patterns and styles, allowing you to mimic the high-end flooring you want at a budget-friendly price that you can afford.

If your budget allows, we generally recommend LVP because of the long-term warranty and potential to add value to your home. When you’re tired of dealing with carpet, luxury vinyl and laminate flooring are great alternative options to solid wood.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is also a faux wood, but it’s often best for cost cutters because it doesn’t increase your home’s resale value. Lower cost and a wide range of styles are the key reason for choosing laminate.

Pros

• Available in an array of textures, styles and thicknesses, It’s hard to tell it’s not wood
• Comes in all price points from the most budget friendly options to luxurious
• Smooth surface makes cleaning up spills quick and easy
• Top layer is scratch- and water-resistant when properly installed
• Primarily made of wood and known for being eco-friendly
• The most recognized manufacturers produce laminate in USA

Cons

• Bottom layer is made of fiberboard, making flooding a bigger concern
• Does not make a good option for areas with lots of moisture (bathroom, laundry room)
• It is more likely to scratch than Luxury Vinyl Plank during day-to-day life
• Most flooring manufacturers only offer a 10 to 20-year limited warranty on laminate
• Won’t increase the resale value of the home

Laminate flooring is a great product, and if you’re looking for a floor with radiant heating, most floating floors will be on par with luxury vinyl plank. Maintenance is easy, but be sure not to use a wet mop and use a product like Bona instead to clean your hard surfaces.

We recommend Bona to our clients because it gets your floor clean without risk of moisture build-up.

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