What Is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring?

What Is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring? Flooring is one of the most important aspects of any home. It’s usually one of the first things we think about when it comes to renovating or modifying a space, and with good reason: flooring is an investment that lasts a lifetime.

There are many different types of flooring available. With so many materials to choose from it can often seem a bit overwhelming when deciding what type of flooring is best for a room interior.

The Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring

1. Appearance

Laminate is an engineered wood product that “seals” the wood grain and resembles real hardwood. A solid wood floor has wood strips in the middle of it that make it look similar to hardwood. Laminate comes in many different colors, finishes, and designs and is used mostly for residential applications.

Vinyl tile is made from a synthetic polymer material that resembles real ceramic or porcelain. It is most often found on bathroom floors. But can also be found as both a decorative tile as well as a durable vinyl flooring product used for commercial applications such as schools.

2. Installation

Laminate is usually installed with an adhesive and can be glued to a subfloor. Vinyl flooring can also be installed in small commercial and residential spaces. It’s usually put together with an interlocking design and available in tiles of various colors, patterns, and shapes.

3. Maintenance

Neither laminate nor vinyl is considered a high-maintenance flooring option. But when it comes to cleaning, there is one key difference between vinyl tile and laminate. Hardwood-looking laminates cannot be submerged in water, so they need to be cleaned up with a dust mop or vacuum instead of a wet mop. Vinyl tile can be scrubbed with a damp mop but must be thoroughly dried after cleaning.

Laminate is made of wood and is sold with a 1- or 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. The vinyl tile is backed by the same warranty that comes with standard vinyl flooring. Non-slip pads are another great option for keeping laminate floors from skidding around your home. Vinyl tile, meanwhile, does not come with such an added feature; however, the tiles are super simple to clean and require little maintenance.

Is Vinyl Or Laminate Flooring More Suitable For Homes in Singapore?

Homes in Singapore see all kinds of weather, especially during the monsoon season. On one hand, the humidity can cause laminate flooring to buckle and warp.

On the other hand, vinyl can deteriorate in extreme heat and may even melt in areas exposed to direct sunlight. In general, for homes that experience a mixture of different types of weather conditions, it is best to opt for vinyl flooring. Because it will accommodate all kinds of temperatures without being affected by them.

Maintenance Tips For Vinyl And Laminate Flooring

• 1. Regularly inspect for visible cracks in vinyl. This can be done by shining a light through the flooring. If you see any cracks, keep an eye out for them to dry and consolidate. Or else they could become water-damaged, causing your flooring to be extremely slippery on wet or rainy days.

• 2. Regularly inspect for visible cracks in laminate. This can be done by shining a light through the flooring, which will show any imperfections that need to be attended to immediately.

• 3. Properly clean and maintain your vinyl flooring installation with a hand vacuum and wet/dry vacuum cleaner attachments.

• 4. Use high-quality vinyl floor cleaner to clean your flooring.

• 5. To properly maintain your laminate flooring, you can use the same high-quality cleaner as well as a rag or soft bristle brush to manually wipe down the floor with a damp mop and water. While taking care not to get any water into the seams between pieces of wood.

• 6. To condition and polish your vinyl flooring, you can also use an orbital buffer that generates friction heat to drive out debris and dirt trapped in the seams of your vinyl flooring installation.

Laminate Flooring pros

• 1. Fast installation – laminate installations typically take about 4-8 hours for a standard size job.

• 2. Easy to scrub clean

• 3. Looks more like wood than vinyl floors. Because it is manufactured from wood, this type of flooring tends to have a more natural look than vinyl. It can be used in a variety of styles from modern to traditional and there are many different colors and patterns to choose from too. I like the beige and grey colorway shown below!

Cons of Laminate Flooring

• 1. Lacks durability. Laminate flooring is prone to warping and cracking. Making it look and feel like a cheap imitation of the real thing. This can be eliminated by installing a flooring base under the laminate, but then you are also committing yourself to have laminate for at least five years.

• 2. Higher initial cost. Laminate flooring is more expensive than vinyl and you will likely need extra money for a fitting in addition to your actual installation costs. (laminate requires extra labor).

Vinyl Flooring pros

• 1. High-quality installation & finish. The standard vinyl floor cleaning process is cheap and simple, so this makes the floor more affordable than other types of flooring (see below).

• 2. Great for high-traffic areas. You don’t need to worry about scratches or dents since there are no boards and unlike laminate, vinyl does not scratch easily. This type of flooring is perfect for high-traffic areas. As it is extremely durable and requires little to no maintenance, other than a regular clean.

• 3. Looks like ceramic tile. Because vinyl tiles are often designed in square or rectangular shapes, they can look similar to ceramic tiles. These can give the room a nice and modern feel. The best thing about vinyl flooring is that it is easy to cut and fit the pieces together when you want them to fit flush against each other!

Cons of Vinyl Flooring

• 1. Vinyl flooring is not scratch and dent resistant

• 2. Not suitable for outdoor spaces. Being that it is made of plastic, vinyl floors are too slippery to be used outside.

• 3. Difficult to clean. Unlike laminate flooring, vinyl floors are not very water-resistant and should never be submerged in water or a cleaning solution.

• 4. It may need more maintenance. As with any floor covering, you will have to take extra care when it comes to spills and accidents. Read more about the differences between laminate and vinyl floors before you install laminate or vinyl flooring around your home. Make sure you choose a reputable and trustworthy company for installation. Don’t try to DIY!

Can Vinyl Or Laminate Flooring Be Bad For Health?

The short answer to this is “No”, both types of flooring are perfectly safe for use. Both vinyl and laminate floors do not contain formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals. Except for the glues used to connect the individual tiles. This makes it a great choice for families with children, people who suffer from allergies, and asthma sufferers.

Is Vinyl Or Laminate Flooring Toxic For My Child or Pet?

Both vinyl and laminate flooring are non-toxic to children, pets, and other animals. There is no reason to worry about harmful fumes or chemicals that could harm your child`s play area. If you are especially worried about the health of your child or pet, then you might want to look into ceramic tile flooring instead.

What Is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring? – Conclusion

In conclusion, Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for both new construction and renovation projects. It is easy to install, looks good in any room, and is great for families with children as it is hard-wearing and free of harmful chemicals.