Is LVT Flooring Better Than Laminate Flooring

The modern DIYer is spoiled for choice in so many ways. When it comes to flooring types, whether for home or commercial use, your options are seemingly endless. Where affordability, durability and style are concerned, a lot of people find themselves torn between laminate and LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring.

Like anything, there are pros and cons to both of these flooring types. But still the burning question on everyone’s lips remains: is LVT flooring better than laminate flooring?

Which of these flooring types is better highly depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something that almost perfectly replicates hardwood floor then laminate might be the way forward. However, if you need a waterproof and resilient surface for your bathroom, LVT is the obvious choice.

In this guide, we will be looking at what sets these two flooring options apart from one another and helping you make a more informed choice on what will work in your home.

What Is LVT Flooring?

LVT flooring is a material which is made from various layers of vinyl. It is designed to replicate another type of surface. Most commonly these are natural materials; things like wood, ceramic and stone. LVT does an extremely good job of this and can be very convincing.

The vinyl layers are incredibly flexible and lightweight so this is a go to choice for people who need something that can be easily installed in almost any space. Moreover, LVT flooring is very resistant to things like scratches as well as being waterproof. This means it’s a perfect choice for places like bathrooms, kitchens and high traffic areas.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is constructed in a very different way to LVT. Yes, it is still a layer product but this time those layers are different. It begins with a fibreboard layer which has a protective layer covering it. The top is a photographic layer which is designed to replicate other types of flooring. Most commonly, this would be wood but there are others available.

You will normally find that, while laminate is not quite as resilient as LVT, it is just as versatile and so can be used in a wide range of spaces. It works well in a bedroom, living room or a hallway and there are now developments being made resulting in laminate flooring that’s also waterproof. Although this is a newer concept and not currently applicable to all laminate flooring products.

What Do LVT And Laminate Have In Common?

One of the reasons that so many people find themselves unable to decide between LVT flooring and laminate flooring is that there are a lot of similarities between them. Primarily, they are both more affordable versions of other types of hard floors like stone or hardwood. If you want to get that natural, stylish look without having to fork out for raw materials then both LVT and laminate would be suitable.

Moreover, they are both much more durable than natural materials which can damage easily. Imagine dropping something hard on a flagstone floor; it wouldn’t take much to crack whereas LVT and laminate are far more resistant and durable.

Of course, natural materials always look the part and one of the things that is very similar about LVT and laminate is that both materials have an uncanny ability to replicate natural materials perfectly. Modern products are very convincing and yet again, you have to think about what you’ll save compared to things like real wood and stone.

On top of this, LVT and laminate flooring are both far more manageable when it comes to maintenance than natural materials. You also have the option to install them as a DIY project whereas with natural materials, you’ll almost always have to bring in the pros. Not only does this mean not having a nice weekend project for yourself but there’s the added cost of installation fees.

Another thing that is very similar between LVT and laminate flooring is that both materials are treated in a very similar manner. Laminate usually has an aluminium oxide layer designed to help reduce the risk of scratches. This same layer also offers UV protection which is ideal if you’re going to be installing the flooring in a room that receives a lot of direct natural light. Similarly, LVT flooring has a urethane and vinyl coating which protects it against the same things.

Many homes these days benefit from underfloor heating but not all flooring types are suitable for this. However both LVT flooring and laminate can resist high temperatures are so are ideal candidates for underfloor heating. Typically speaking, the heating would have to exceed 27ºC before any damage would occur.

What Sets Them Apart From One Another?

While LVT flooring and laminate have a lot of things in common, they are two separate things so it’s important to also consider their differences. For starters, the way that LVT and laminate flooring is made is totally different. We touched on this earlier when we discussed the various layers of laminate flooring.

Made from fibreboard, laminate is much more rigid and strong. On the flip side, since LVT is made up from softer layers of vinyl, this tends to mean that it is much more flexible. But LVT is still a very stable material nonetheless.

Because of these differences in materials, the feel of each flooring type is vastly different. If you walk across laminate flooring, you could be forgiven for thinking that you’re walking on wood. However, LVT flooring has a much more plasticy feel to it.

Another key difference between LVT and laminate is the way that they are installed. While there are some variations between products, you’ll almost always find that LVT flooring requires glue to secure it. The planks will either feature a self adhesive backing or you can use a separate glue, depending on the product.

On the other hand, laminate flooring is what is known as a ‘floating floor system.’ This means that it does not require glue or anything else to keep it in place. More often than not, it will be an interlocking system that keeps the laminate secure.

Perhaps one of the most important considerations where the differences between these two types of flooring is concerned, is the resistance. LVT will resist scratches incredibly well, perhaps more so than its laminate counterpart. That said, when it comes to exposure to heat or fire, laminate holds up much better. LVT may also stain a lot more easily than laminate so if you’ve got children or pets, this might be an issue.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of LVT Flooring?

LVT flooring has become very popular in recent years and it’s no wonder since it’s a durable, stylish and affordable choice. But as with anything else, this type of flooring does come with its advantages and drawbacks. Before making a choice, you’ll need to consider these and how they will affect your installation and how you use the floor.

Many people opt for LVT flooring because of how waterproof it is. If you want flooring for a room where there are high moisture levels or the chance of spills, you’d go for this. Where laminate flooring can be easily damaged by repeated exposure to moisture, LVT will undergo splashing, spills and humidity time and again with no problems.

LVT flooring is pretty resistant to scratches and scuffs but sometimes, these things happen. The great thing about it is that it is much easier to fix thanks to recoating.

One of the main cons of LVT flooring is that it is not as ‘green’ as laminate. While laminate is made from renewable materials, LVT flooring is made from a variety of chlorides and chemicals which are incredibly toxic. There are also adhesives used in its construction and you don’t need us to tell you the potential damage that these can do.

While it is possible to install LVT on a slightly uneven or bumpy floor, if the imperfections are severe, they’ll show right through. You could use some kind of underlay but there are pros and cons to this. Not to mention, it’s not really required with any type of vinyl flooring.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Laminate Flooring?

Much like LVT flooring, laminate comes with a range of pros and cons. For many years, this was considered the king of affordable, wood replica floors and with good reason. But you also need to consider the drawbacks so take a moment to look at the pros and cons of laminate flooring.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly flooring solution then laminate flooring is the obvious winner. You see, this type of flooring is largely made from wood byproducts which is far more natural not to mention renewable.

Another way in which laminate flooring takes the crown is that it is brilliant for using on subflooring that’s not entirely level. When you’re installing flooring, it’s always important to make sure that the subfloor is as smooth and level as possible but it’s not always easy to get it perfect. However, laminate, with its rigidity will do a much better job at covering up any imperfections, slopes, bumps and other problems.

Laminate flooring is very durable and resistant so it’s a good choice for high traffic areas. It may be a little trickier to fix any scratches or marks compared to LVT but it’s certainly not an impossible or too-tasking job.

One of the things that a lot of people look for when choosing flooring is how it will stand up to the day to day challenges of life. Let’s say you are looking at the most appropriate floor to install in a bathroom. A place where there is a lot of moisture; laminate may not be the most suitable. While it can resist low levels of moisture and humidity, anything more than this will cause it to warp and expand. If you do spill water onto laminate, it’s not the end of the world as quickly mopping it up will prevent any problems.

Which Should you choose laminate or LVT

There are obvious pros and cons to both laminate flooring and LVT. Neither is better than the other in terms of affordability and how they look. Part of your decision will rest on your personal preference while the other part will be down to the practicalities of each type.

If you want something that will work in a high traffic area or a room where moisture levels will be higher, then LVT would be your go to. However, for low traffic areas or rooms with low moisture levels, especially those that have an uneven subfloor, laminate is the obvious choice.

Conclusion

Laminate flooring and Luxury Vinyl Tile, also known as LVT, are both incredibly popular styles of flooring. However, while they are very similar in many aspects, they are each better suited to certain applications. Before making a final decision, be sure to take all of the above points into account. Either way, you’ll end up with a high quality, attractive and affordable floor that will stand the test of time.