If you re seeking an alternative to hardwood but laminate doesn t sound like the material for you consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl.
Vinyl vs laminate vs wood flooring.
Vinyl plank flooring and laminate both offer the look of hardwood but how do they compare when exposed to water.
This is the backbone of your laminate plank.
Hdf or mdf core hdf stands for high density fiberboard and unsurprisingly mdf stands for medium density fiberboard.
In standard sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles the base layer is usually fiberglass which is then coated in pvc vinyl and a plasticizer.
Professional installation adds 1 to 2 per square foot depending on the complexity of the project.
Laminate flooring is typically comprised of 4 layers can vary between manufacturers.
The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together.
Vinyl tiles and sheet goods cost 1 to 5 per square foot.
Vinyl flooring is a softer floor that allows for more falls and spills than hardwood or laminate.
Vinyl is a great cheap option that will hold up over time.
Vinyl 1 comes in both plank and tile form can be glued.
It s typically texturized and dyed laid in a single layer over rubberized plastic.
Vinyl flooring is a 100 percent synthetic material.
This means it can be installed in bathrooms kitchens or other areas where there s moisture without the worry of warping or buckling.
It s also not as water resistant as linoleum or vinyl.
Laminate vs hardwood flooring laminate vs wood flooring can be summed up pretty simply in two words price and style.
Both are relatively inexpensive budget friendly options.
Both resemble true hardwood but each comes with its own benefits and disadvantages.
Hardwood engineered wood.
Laminate can resemble wood and stone like linoleum but it comes in solid interlocking planks and is made almost entirely of wood products.
It will probably look the least natural but that is not necessarily a bad thing depending on what look you are going for.
When it comes down to price there s not a lot of difference between laminate and vinyl flooring.
Hardwoods are solid planks of wood harvested from trees.
Hardwood is likely to remain the most popular flooring choice.
Vinyl 1 and laminate flooring are two popular man made flooring products that come in a variety of colors and styles.
Vinyl plank has grown in popularity because it is resistant to water.
Laminate is a great mid priced flooring option but there are times when a more expensive hardwood floor or a cheaper vinyl floor could be a better match for your home.