Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring - Which Is the Best for Your Home

When it comes to durable yet cost-effective floors, the two leading choices for homeowners are vinyl and laminate flooring. Depending on your home’s area, you may have trouble choosing one over the area, especially if you’re dealing with the messiest part of your home: the kitchen. 

Choosing the right flooring for your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the busiest parts of the home and is exposed to various materials and substances ranging from food stains to alcohol spills. Though your home can be a combination of different types of floors, investing in the right material to use in specific areas can save you from high repair and maintenance costs in the future.

In this article, we will match up vinyl and laminate flooring in three different categories so that you can see which option is the best for your kitchen:

 1. Addressing maintenance and cleaning
No matter how versatile the material may be, if it requires constant repairs and long hours of cleaning, then you’re spending too much time on the wrong product. Vinyl flooring’s advantage over laminate is that it’s easy to clean using a wet-mopped treatment. Laminate, on the other hand, needs to go through several steps in cleaning, first with a dry mope, then a damp mop.

In terms of maintenance, laminate flooring is relatively easy to maintain. However, its layers may delaminate overtime after multiple and prolonged exposures to water. Vinyl floors are highly durable and are resilient against spills and high foot traffic.

2. Considering cost and resale value
Owning a property is an investment by itself. If you’re planning to sell your home, then you will have to be particular about the long-term value of its extensions and installations. When it comes to cost, vinyl and laminate floors are roughly set at the same price. These materials are relatively cheaper compared to materials, such as natural hardwood, ceramic, and porcelain tile.

Their resale value is also similar to each other as they both do not add a substantial property increase when selling your property. If you’re planning to sell your home for later, you should refurbish your flooring to more expensive options regardless of whether you’ve been used to vinyl or laminate.

3. Comparing lifespan and environmental impact
Vinyl floors are made up of synthetic material which can be toxic when burned. It also doesn’t help that the material is unsustainable as it cannot be decomposed in landfills. Laminate flooring is better as an environmentally friendly material since its natural wood content is a fiberboard core.

When it comes to lifespan, both options can last up to twenty to twenty-five years. It’s up to you to choose which material you’d prefer as either one’s mileage depends on how well you maintain your flooring.

Conclusion

Choosing the right flooring for your home can vary depending on the area that’s being discussed. Vinyl and laminate floors are effective materials in their own right. However, when it comes to your home’s kitchen, you have to be more particular about the material that you want to use.

Vinyl flooring is best for kitchens, laundry rooms, and wet bathrooms since they are places in your home that have a high moisture build-up. Vinyl’s water and stain-resistant properties make it the best option for long-term floor installation.

We are the leading supplier of flooring options for homeowners in Canada. If you are looking for quality vinyl or laminate wood flooring, contact us now at Global Carpets!