LVT vs laminate installation at a glance: For properties with little furniture or an absence of carpeting, acoustic underlay can reduce echoing to create a homely feel. Soundproof underlay – limiting the sound of neighbours, while dampening sounds from your own home makes good sense. Thermal underlay – insulation is integral to keeping an energy-efficient home, so thermal underlay should be fitted, particularly if the floor is above a garage or basement.
This does of course depend of certain factors, such as:ĭamp proof underlay – having a layer to protect flooring from moisture is essential, especially if laying on bare flooring such as concrete. Unless you’ve chosen flooring that already has underlayment attached, you will need to add underlay for both types of flooring. Used for shock absorption, soundproofing and protection, underlay is needed for carpet and other forms of flooring. Alternatively, the tiles or planks might be floating, as with laminate flooring, with no direct adhesive. The other difference is that vinyl flooring can be peel-and-stick, which makes for quick and easy fixing directly to underlay. LVT, however, is a little more manageable, sometimes needing a utility knife, allowing for scoring, bending, then cutting to get the desired results. Laminate is very tough to cut through, needing a hand saw, or even a power saw, to get the right length or shape. One of the only major differences is cutting planks into shape. This makes the flooring easy to place, lift and move in case of mistakes. However, textured LVT might just have the edge.īoth LVT and laminate flooring have simple click-lock fittings for easy tongue and groove installation. When it comes down to it, both types of flooring can replicate the look of wood, looking attractive to the eye. With the development of composite vinyl flooring, there’s even added texture, replicating wood grain or stone. However, advances have meant that in the case of luxury vinyl you can find knots or divots that add another dimension of character. On thicker planks, greater texture can be added, which means that laminate flooring often has more believability than its vinyl counterpart. The printing and detail on oak laminate flooring and vinyl has improved greatly over the years, offering a more believable illusion that you’re stepping on wood, at least visually. Or as some might put bluntly, does vinyl flooring look cheap? This is often a thought because of the functional nature of sheet vinyl, providing an affordable protective layer for floors. Laminate - affordable compared to solid wood LVT - affordable, in comparison to solid wood flooring, sometimes slightly more expensive than laminate
On the other hand, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and its convincing wood finishes provide a higher level of quality, so can push the price point higher than laminate. When it comes to cost, vinyl flooring is generally cheaper than laminate, particularly when considering sheet vinyl. What's cheaper vinyl or laminate flooring? With that in mind, we’ve put together a clear ‘like for like’ comparison, for vinyl versus laminate. Both flooring types are similar in many ways, providing an alternative to solid wood. Looking for affordable, quality flooring is likely to lead you to two options: vinyl or laminate flooring. This can be dependent on budget and styling, but when you start to look at the options, it can get a little confusing. With the wide choice of flooring types available, it can be tricky to work out exactly what the best options are. Reading time: 4 minutes Is vinyl flooring better than laminate?