Choosing the right flooring for your home involves weighing vinyl vs laminate flooring pros and cons. When you first start comparing these hard surface flooring options, a lot of similarities stand out. So let’s take a look at what makes vinyl and laminate different, as well as the pros and cons of each.

What is the Difference Between Vinyl and Laminate Flooring?

Although there are a lot of similarities between vinyl and laminate flooring (like both being some of the best flooring for high traffic areas and pets), there are some differences between vinyl and laminate flooring to consider. These key differences are the materials they’re made with, how well they hold up to moisture, and the best method to clean them.

Vinyl flooring is made of 100% synthetic materials, including its core, which is made of plastic. Laminate flooring consists of mostly high-density fiberboard, including a core made from wood byproduct. One of the top benefits of luxury vinyl tile flooring is that it’s waterproof, where laminate flooring is only water-resistant at most.

We all want a floor that is easy to clean, and although you can’t go wrong with either option,  vinyl flooring, because it’s waterproof, is just a little bit easier to clean than laminate. You can use a wet mop on vinyl flooring, but you can only use a drop mop for laminate (though you should start with dry mopping vinyl flooring so you don’t trap dirt particles in the vinyl).

An easier way to tell the difference between the two types of flooring is by comparing the different vinyl vs laminate flooring pros and cons. To make it easy for you, our next two sections do just that, listing out both vinyl and laminate flooring pros and cons.

Top Vinyl Flooring Pros and Cons

Pros 

  • Affordable

  • Waterproof 

  • Can last up to 25 years

  • Easy DIY installation (but not recommended)

  • Exceptionally durable

  • Stain and scratch resistant

Cons 

  • Made with 100% synthetic materials

  • Only high quality vinyl uses a high-definition photographic layer to give the look of wood or stone

  • Lowest resale value

  • Difficult to remove if applied with adhesive

Top Laminate Flooring Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Water resistant

  • Mostly made from wood

  • Uses a high-definition photographic layer to give the look of real wood, stone, or tile

  • Can last between 15 and 25 years

  • Easy DIY installation (but not recommended)

  • Exceptionally durable

  • Stain resistant

Cons

  • Lower resale value than solid and engineered hardwood

  • Difficult to repair

  • Some types are not water-resistant at all

Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring: Which is Better?

When comparing the vinyl vs laminate flooring pros and cons, it’s easy to see that both types of hard surface flooring options are affordable, durable, and can add style to your home. So when deciding which option is better, it is really going to depend on the qualities you’re looking for in your new flooring.

Vinyl flooring may be your top choice if you are prioritizing flooring that is waterproof, easy to thoroughly clean, and has a longer lifespan with less maintenance. Laminate flooring, however, can give you the look and feel of wood at a more affordable cost, while also providing durability and resistance to fading.

Both vinyl and laminate flooring can provide a stylish upgrade to your home at an affordable price, each with its own unique advantages. Whether you prioritize waterproof features or a wood-like appearance, both options offer excellent value and durability. Consider the differences in vinyl and laminate flooring to determine which flooring solution best fits your home.

Shop Vinyl and Laminate Flooring in Wexford, PA

Here at Floor Concepts in the Pittsburgh North Hills, we offer vinyl and laminate flooring from a number of top brands, including Shaw, Stanton, Bruce, Lamdura, Quick Step, and more. Our luxury vinyl tile (LVT) options are ideal for any room in your home and are designed to look like hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone. Our laminate flooring options are an inexpensive option to true hardwood. Our flooring experts are happy to walk you through our showroom so you can compare vinyl vs laminate pros and cons with samples side-by-side. 

Floor Concepts also provides free in-home measurements, whether you’re looking to renovate one room or the whole house. Another benefit of a professional in-home measurement? With our precise measurements, you’re less likely to buy too much material, helping your renovation budget stretch even further.

Choosing between vinyl and laminate flooring doesn’t have to be a tough decision, as both types of flooring have their perks. At Floor Concepts in Wexford, we’re here to help you find the perfect flooring to fit your home. Stop by our Wexford, PA showroom to compare vinyl vs laminate flooring pros and cons using our samples and get expert advice from our team, or contact us to learn more. Plus, don’t forget to take advantage of our free in-home measurements to make your flooring project as smooth as possible.

Floor Concepts provides local flooring solutions to greater Pittsburgh, PA and the North Hills area. Get in touch with our flooring experts today!