Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Tile
When choosing a new floor for your home, there are a lot of factors to consider such as durability, water resistance and installation ease. Laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are two popular options that typically compete for attention due to their similarities
Composition
Laminate flooring typically consists of multiple layers: a wear layer, a decorative layer, the core layer made of fibreboard and a stabilising layer. The wear layer is usually made of aluminium oxide, which protects against scratches and fading. The decorative layer then mimics the look of wood, stone or tile.
Luxury vinyl tile is made primarily of PVC vinyl with additional layers for stability and design. The top layer is a clear protective layer, which can replicate a variety of natural materials like wood or stone with impressive realism. The core layer provides stability, while the backing layer offers more support and sound absorption.
Durability
Laminate flooring is known for its durability and resistance to scratches, fading and general wear. However, it’s susceptible to moisture damage if exposed to an excessive amount of water or humidity.
Luxury vinyl tile is also incredibly durable. It’s resistant to scratches, fading and general wear as well as stains. LVT has the higher ground to laminate as it’s also waterproof, making it great for areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Water Resistance
Laminate offers some degree of water resistance, but prolonged exposure to moisture can cause warping, swelling and damage to the core layer.
Luxury vinyl tile, however, is inherently waterproof thanks to its PVC construction. Making it an ideal choice for areas where moisture is a concern.
Installation
Laminate typically features a floating installation method, where planks or tiles are clicked or locked together over an underlayer. This installation process is straightforward, making it a suitable project for DIY enthusiasts.
Luxury vinyl tile has a variety of installation methods such as glue-down, loose-lay or click-lock systems. Glue-down provides a secure and permanent bond, whilst click-lock systems offer a simpler, floating installation that’s suitable for DIY projects too.
Choosing the Best Fit
Budget: laminate flooring tends to be more budget-friendly than luxury vinyl tile, which makes it a preferred choice if you’re cost-conscious.
Lifestyle: if you’ve got pets, children or an active home, luxury vinyl tiles’ waterproof and scratch-resistant properties may be a more effective option.
Design Preferences: both laminate and luxury vinyl tile flooring offer a wide range of styles and designs to suit different aesthetic preferences. Whether you’re after an imitation of wood, tile or stone.
Laminate vs LVT
When it comes to choosing between them, it’s important to understand the differences because they aren’t the same even if they share comparable properties. Compare your budget, lifestyle and design preferences to the differences in composition, durability, water resistance and installation process. This will help you deice which choice is the best fit for your home.
Whether you choose the affordability of laminate or the waterproof properties of LVT, both offer durable and stylish solutions that will enhance your home.
