Laminate vs Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Laminate and vinyl plank flooring look similar and install in a similar way, so it is easy to mix them up. They are quite different underneath, and those differences decide which one suits a particular room. This guide compares them side by side.
What they are made of
Laminate has a core of compressed wood fiber, with a printed image layer and a clear wear layer on top. Vinyl plank, often called luxury vinyl plank or LVP, is made from PVC and other layers, with a similar printed layer and wear layer. The core is what makes the biggest difference when water is involved.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Laminate | Vinyl plank |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Fiber core can swell if water soaks in | Usually waterproof or highly water-resistant |
| Best rooms | Bedrooms, living rooms, offices | Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms |
| Underfoot | Harder and can sound hollow without underlayment | Slightly softer and quieter |
| Scratches and dents | Resists scratches | Can dent under heavy furniture |
| Installation | Click-together floating floor | Click-together or glue-down |
Products vary, so read the manufacturer's information for the exact floor you are considering. Some laminates are made to resist moisture, and some vinyl products are better suited to heated and cooled spaces than others.
Which one for which room
Choose vinyl plank for any room that may get wet, such as a bathroom, laundry room or basement. Choose laminate for dry rooms where you want a hard, wood-like surface. Both work well in living areas and bedrooms, so compare samples, warranties and the thickness of the wear layer.
How much will you need?
Measure the room, then add a waste allowance of about 10 percent for cuts and mistakes. A 12×15 foot room is 180 square feet. With 10 percent extra, that is 198 square feet, or 10 boxes if each box covers 20 square feet. Our flooring calculator does this for your room and shows the material cost if you enter a price per square foot. See our measuring guide if you are not sure how to take the measurements.
Installation basics
- Prepare the subfloor so it is clean, dry and flat
- Let the flooring sit in the room before installing, as the manufacturer directs, which is often a day or two
- Leave an expansion gap around the edges, since floating floors move with temperature and humidity
- Stagger the end joints from row to row
- Buy one extra box from the same batch for future repairs
The better floor is the one that suits how the room is used. If water is a risk, lean toward vinyl plank. If the room stays dry and you want a harder feel, laminate is a good choice.
Enter your room size, waste allowance and price to see how many boxes of flooring you need and what the material costs.
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