

'I believe laminate may have better design choices and will look more realistic as it can be more dimensional in nature but is not recommended for potentially wet areas like basements,' says Mark Lavender, principal designer of M.


Which has better design options?īoth laminate and vinyl uses photographs of textures like wood and stone to create a realistic look, but more luxurious styles also recreate the texture of these materials, too. Temperature fluctuations do not cause the planks to shrink and expand, which causes warping and cracks in hardwood floors. When it comes to heat resistance, both flooring options don't suffer the same issues as hardwood flooring, for example. Spills and splashes won’t cause it to warp, which means it’s perfectly suitable for bathroom installations and in the kitchen.Ĭertain vinyl products even have 100 percent waterproof foundations, such as plastic or cork, for extra protection against moisture. Vinyl bathroom flooring more commonly uses LVT for a good quality finish, but sheet vinyl is also an option, which comes in 12-foot wide rolls that often require no seams. Sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, and luxury vinyl flooring are usually made with materials that are 100 percent waterproof. When soaked in water it can be dried out and will retain its dimensions and appearance.’ ‘Vinyl flooring is best in high-moisture areas and it’s easy to keep clean,’ says Noorein. Which is more moisture and heat-resistant? Laminate, on the other hand, has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years, although poor quality covering will only last five years. In terms of life span, however, vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, with thinner vinyl flooring’s lifespan limited to less than 10 years. ‘For reflooring, if one has to go for a cheaper solution then vinyl flooring would be ideal as the weathering effects are low on it.’ ‘Laminate flooring is intentionally designed to be durable as well as affordable,’ says Noorein Kapoor, founder of NKD Studio (opens in new tab). Compared to laminates, vinyl is more durable, stronger, low-maintenance, and thus more resilient flooring. Thin plank vinyl flooring doesn't last as long as expensive, thicker vinyl flooring as it has a built-in underlay. Laminates cannot be repaired and need to be changed over time. For something like a hallway or laminate kitchen flooring, this leads to scratches or chipped floors. Laminate flooring is usually known to be low-maintenance and usually long-lasting, however, in high traffic areas or over the years, it may delaminate over time.
