Below is a side by side comparison of Luxury Vinyl Plank or LVP and Laminate Flooring.
DURABILITY:
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Extremely durable. Heavy furniture can cause denting. Vinyl plank can tear when dragging heavy objects. | Extremely durable. It is prone to scratching over time. May also chip at the corners with extensive wear. |
WATERPROOF
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Yes | No |
CLEANING
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Can be cleaned using steam mops or wet mops. Non-abrasive, mild cleaners should be used. Or vineagar & water solution to avoid "haze". | Can be cleaned with laminate-specific products or a steam mop. Wet mops should never be used. Acetone can be used to remove difficult stains. |
MAINTENANCE
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
No wax should ever be used on vinyl. No wax polishes can be used to restore shine. | Laminate-specific product can be used to restore shine. Products can be used to repair scratches and chips as needed. |
PET-FRIENDLY
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Yes | Yes |
STYLES
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Available in a variety of wood styles, including oak, mahogany, and cherry. Also available in Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) that typically comes in a 12" x 24" plank that resembles tile or stone looks. | Available in a variety of wood styles, including oak, mahogany, and cherry. |
INSTALLATION
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Floating or Click, and also Glue Down or Loose Lay | Floating or Tongue & Groove
|
PRONE TO FADING
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
In poorly produced products, it is more likely prone to fading | Less prone to fading |
SIZES
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Typically 4-inches to 9-inches wide. Lengths typically up to 48 inches. Can be cut to size using a utility knife. | Widths starting at 4 inches and can reach up to 16 inches. Lengths range from 36 to 48 inches. Can be cut to size using a handsaw or circular saw. |
COLORS
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Available in many colors including white, gray, light and dark wood finishes, and black, as well as tile looks (Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT) (large variety of options) | Available in many colors including white, gray, light and dark wood finishes, and black |
COMPOSITION:
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
LVP comes in both SPC & WPC. SPC gets its extra durability from the rigid stone composite core, but that also makes it inflexible and cold. Since WPC has a core with more give, it's more comfortable under your feet, and it retains some warmth, which is especially important in your home. Also, LVP typically has a pad attached to the plank as a vapor barrier and sound distortion. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is made up of 6-8 structural layers such as a foam, cork or PVC backing, WPC or SPC core, PVC layer, a layer of glass fiber, print layer, design layer, wear layer and UV protective and in some cases, an added antimicrobial layer. The wear layer is very important in choosing the correct flooring for the location it is getting installed. | Laminate flooring is constructed from thin, pressed wood board with a repeating printed image of wood fused onto a fiberboard core. One thing to note about laminate flooring is that it is not made from plastic but from a collection of wood fibers with a top layer of resin acting as a “wear layer”. |
SUMMARY
Luxury Vinyl Plank | Laminate |
Luxury Vinyl Plank or LVP is hands down far more of a popular option for remodels and new construction for both residential & commercial. LVP comes in both a click or glue down option that allows flexibility and durability for every application. It is also can be a very budget friendly option as well. | Laminate has dropped in popularity over the years. Due to the fact of it unable to handle water. Delamination occurs and the structure of the product breaks down. Also, it has been more of a shiny gloss finish that doesn't appear to be imitated as a real wood. |
Feel free to call SimpleFLOORS at 605-553-9077 today or stop in to our store located at 2325 Enterprise Ave in Tea South Dakota. We service Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. We will be happy to discuss whether Luxury Vinyl Plank or Laminate is right for you.
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