Laminate vs Vinyl vs Wood Flooring: Which is Right for Your Home?

Laminate, vinyl, and wood are some of the most common options homeowners have when flooring their homes. Each of these options comes with unique pros, cons, and features. This makes it a challenge for some people to choose between one of the three.

 

Laminate is resistant to moisture and water and is easy to maintain and clean. Vinyl is also water-resistant and easier to maintain. Wood, on the other hand, is popular because of its durability, attractive appearance, and prestige. 

 

Each of them offers something that you might want in your home flooring. However, which one is better and how do you choose one that stands out?

Laminate Flooring

Most people use laminate because it is cheaper compared to the cost of wood flooring. Laminate flooring has been used for home flooring since the mid-20th century. It has since become one of the most popular home flooring options.

 

Today, manufacturers have developed different varieties of styles that try to imitate stone and wood flooring types. When getting laminate flooring, you get a chance to choose from different wood species such as oak, tigerwood, and hickory, among others.

 

Laminate is made with the idea of mimicking how other items such as tiles, metal, and wood look like. The resulting image is printed and glued together. After that, it is sealed with a water-resistant, scratch-free, and clear layer.

Pros

Affordable: Laminate Flooring Can Give You a Wood Look … at a Fraction of the Cost

Laminate is one of the cheapest flooring options we have today. You can give your floor a wood look with laminate flooring at a fraction of the cost. However, prices differ depending on durability and quality.

Many Options to Choose From

Laminate floors give homeowners many options to choose from. You can choose an option that mimics metal, stone, or wood.

 

Laminate is also durable, easy to clean and maintain, and easy to install.

Cons

• Laminate imitates other items and flooring options.
• It is water-resistant, not water-proof.
• Poor installation can bring a lot of issues later.
• You have to replace laminate flooring when it wears out.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is another flooring option that has grown popular in recent years. Most homeowners go for this option due to its durability, water resistance, and affordability.

 

Vinyl flooring has three different layers. These include the protective layer on the surface, the pattern which makes the design, and the core which is the base of the flooring. 

 

You can choose to get Vinyl flooring with extra layers that improve the soundproofing profiles of your floor and make your floor more comfortable. In addition, you get to choose different styles that imitate other items such as wood and stones.

Pros

Affordable

Just like laminate, vinyl is affordable compared to wood flooring. In addition, it does not require a lot of money when installing or maintaining later on.

Scratch and Water Resistant

If you are looking for scratch and water-resistant flooring options, then vinyl is the best option for you. You can even use this flooring option in the kitchen, bathroom, and any other areas in your house that are often wet.

 

Vinyl is also comfortable, easy to install, and available in different varieties.

Cons

• Vinyl is difficult to remove.
• It can get dents due to accidents.
• Some varieties emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is the most expensive flooring option among the three discussed in this article. It is also the most durable. Wood flooring uses thick wood that can be sanded several times to get an excellent look that complements your eco-friendly-themed decor.

 

Going with wood flooring helps you to increase the value of your home if you intend on selling it.

 

However, you need to be careful with wood flooring since you are not supposed to install it on some floors such as basement floors. This is because it can be affected by changes in humidity. You can choose between finished or prefinished wood if you want wood flooring.

Pros

Easy to Maintain

Wood flooring needs sweeping, mopping, or vacuum cleaning to get it cleaned. In addition, it rarely picks up dirt. This makes it easy to maintain.

Durable

Unlike the other flooring options discussed above that will need to be replaced after a few years, wood flooring is designed to be used for a lifetime.

 

Wood flooring also comes in different varieties and improves your home’s value.

Cons

• Wood flooring is expensive.
• It is not suitable for some areas such as basements.
• It can be noisy.

Which One is Better?

So, between laminate, vinyl, and wood flooring, which one do you think is better for your home? Well, this article should make it clear to choose the best flooring option for your home.