Which Is Right for You: Laminate or Luxury Vinyl Tile?

When you’re undertaking your new home construction, remodeling or renovation project, you want the very best choice for flooring possible. There are so many varieties out there, it can be a nightmare for some homeowners just making the simple choice between materials, let alone styles! Today, two of the most popular forms of flooring are laminate and vinyl tile floors. It’s important to take a number of factors into account as you decide. Learn how to choose whether laminate vs luxury vinyl tile is the right choice for your home, and how a professional ServiceWhale flooring contractor can help.

Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Tile

Choosing between laminate vs luxury vinyl tile for your home requires taking a number of factors into account, from look and style to sturdiness and wear to the exact room in which you’re laying flooring. You’ll need to review the differences between each to determine which might be right for you.

Vinyl Tiling

Vinyl tile is constructed from 100% plastic. This means that it has exceptional moisture resistance properties and is largely considered waterproof. It comes in a broad range of colors, styles and patterns, even ones that mimic natural wood. It’s called “resilient flooring” because it’s designed to hold up to heavy punishment, which is why it’s the most popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. It is not, however, exceptionally eco-friendly.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is made from 99% wood. This makes it a renewable and more ecologically-friendly form of flooring which can even be made from recycled materials. It is generally moisture resistant, if installed correctly and properly locked together. However, if you have a major issue such as a burst pipe or flood, you could run into some issues. It looks outstanding, because it’s made from the materials it’s representing. It also is fairly resilient and easy to maintain, being able to hold up to a lot of daily traffic.

Choosing Between the Two

In general, people gravitate towards vinyl tiling for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas. This is because it not only looks great, but is completely waterproof and supremely easy to clean and maintain. If you’ve ever wanted a hardwood look in your kitchen or bathroom, vinyl may be the better option. It will mimic the look you desire but will hold up against the moisture and punishment these floors take.

In other rooms, however, laminate flooring can be the better choice. It provides a better look and generally has sub-floor padding which provides greater comfort. You’ll need to choose for yourself and, if you aren’t sure, a professional flooring contractor is your best bet for advice.

If you’re looking to install new flooring in your home, we are ready to help. Take a look at ServiceWhale’s fast, easy and inexpensive process for securing the very best local contractors for any type of flooring and login to get offers on your project today!