Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Laminate Flooring. It is my understanding hardwood is way harder to install. Keeping in mind that we have a large dog and want something fairly carefree as far as scratches, etc (I'm sick of walking on eggshells around our house all the time! The more expensive varieties tend to have better texture, thicker planks, thicker wear surface, etc. Added that in! Thats what I did in one of my rentals, and I will do the same when time comes for another. My prep included patching concrete divots left by removing carpet tack strip, cleaning/scraping old glue, and priming the floor with a latex primer. It stuck well to the primer once I rolled it. Edit now that I've got a keyboard to type on: I re-read and realized you asked for some differences. Laminate flooring has come a long way since its introduction 20 years ago. Laminate flooring is slightly more expensive than vinyl. Laminate tends to have a hollow sound when it is walked on, more so than wood. One of the primary benefits touted by both vinyl plank and laminate flooring is durability. It went down easy. It took a lot longer than I thought because getting the edges tight took some attention to detail. LVP comes in several types, including click together or stick together floating varieties and peel … So no, wouldn't recommend laminate anywhere where water might sit undetected for a couple hours or more. They also come in varying thicknesses and quality. I'll follow up if I encounter anything worth sharing during my install this week. ), do you guys have any recommendations? Vinyl flooring is made with polyvinyl chloride (or PVC) and it mimics hardwood in a lot of ways. Laminate can generally be had cheaper on the cheap end (as low as $.99 per sq ft not including underlayment). Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is one of the most durable and frequently purchased flooring solutions today. Which scares me for both myself and my dog lol. Highly recommend it for a rental. Engineered Vinyl Plank. Laminate can handle a spill of water, but standing water for any length of time can cause permanent damage. I rolled each plank with my full body weight as I installed it, so that probably added a lot to the time, too. We have a 90 year old home that we bought last year and while we tried to redo and save the original hardwood floors, it just didn't take. They both have varying wear tolerances depending upon the qualify you buy. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of both options, here are 7 reasons why vinyl plank … and it can be really slick to walk on. It's all fairly open and flows together so separate flooring for each room isn't an option. We have a new video! TL;DR: The peel and stick planks worked well and I am happy with them, but if you don't spend the time and do the subfloor prep, I can see how it could go very badly. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Hey guys, our laminate floors got extremely dingy over the last 6 months, to a point when they were noticeably dirty and there was nothing that would help. I've read some bad stories about the peel and stick types because they can turn out really poorly if you don't work hard to close the gaps and keep the edges tight. I pulled them all up and had to patch the divots with a premix patching/leveling compound from HD. Note: It would be in our entire main floor - living room, dining room, and kitchen. It is not waterproof either, if water gets under it the substrate will rot and mold. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Laminate flooring is water-resistant with newer versions becoming closer and closer to being waterproof but it still is only water-resistant. Thanks so much for this informative post. Vinyl plank has become hugely popular over the last 2 years or so, and for good reason. Here at Gillespie's Abbey Carpet & Floor, we have a passion to make sure that you get the right floor for the right application in your home. However, it’s important to note that it’s not recommended to pour water on the planks as the … We were definitely looking for LVP on the budget end. There are others that are better, so if you're not looking to scrape the bottom of the barrel price wise, you might look for other options. Because both are made using a 3D printing technology, each can replicate the look and style of natural materials such as wood and stone, but at the fraction of the cost. Occasionally, you’ll see high-quality laminates priced up to $7 per square foot… Consumers often turn to vinyl plank or laminate flooring to get the look of hardwoods without the risk of scratches, dings, and other flaws that can be time-consuming (and expensive) to repair. While doing our walkthrough of the place I must admit, the flooring held up amazingly well. One of the biggest advantages to this option, other than price, is that it is waterproof. We also have a fairly small main floor square footage-wise. I will admit, my wife layed much more of the flooring than I - I was usually off doing other projects. Peel … I have no flooring experience, but I'm very interested in learning. Is it called that across the board? We opted for LVP over laminate because of the potential for occasional water during heavy storms. Go to HD or Lowes and you can see plenty of people have done scratch tests on the display models or samples. As technology advances, so does the way the flooring we install in our homes is engineered. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are usually designed to simulate the look of wood, as is most laminate flooring, while luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are usually designed to simulate stone or ceramic tiles. LVP tends to be more rubbery feeling, but might also be slippery depending upon the type. A quality laminate … Did you have to level your floor? I started the installation of this LVP from Lowes this morning. LVP tends to start closer to the $1.50 to $20 per sq ft mark. Pics when I'm done! Laminate flooring … Hi, just reporting in after my install today. It’s also called composite, Pergo (which is a specific brand of flooring), or floating wood tile. So now we're debating Vinyl Plank vs Laminate. I guess time will tell how well it holds up. Even with one of the best polyurethanes that money can by, the finish is already flaking off, there are gouges and scratches everywhere, it generally just looks like shit, and we are quickly realizing hardwood is just not for us. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Furthermore you can now buy luxury vinyl flooring as either planks or tiles. The installation went pretty well, once things got going. Laminate has much more design options and a better "look", however, I've heard it's not very good with water (did I mention how much English Mastiff's drool?) Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Water and Heat Resistance. Vinyl plank (LVP) holds up well under pressure. You can get decent oak/maple 3/4" prefinished hardwood at places like lumber liquidators for $2-$3/sq. But at the same time, hardwood can be refinished or buffed many times and it just looks way better. Laminate floors start at about $1 per square foot but you really get what you play for here. I don't have any concerns about the bond. It is not uncommon to see a lifetime wear warranty for residential use in laminate or LVP. … I think this was necessary to keep the edges together, though. The vinyl you are referring to is commonly called LVP (luxury vinyl plank) or just vinyl planks, to distinguish between sheet vinyl. Waterproof and somewhat scratch proof? We ripped everything down to the wood. I also chose the peel/stick variety because it will make replacing a single plank easier in the even any are ever damaged. And like laminate it has been manufactured to mimic real wood and stone flooring which is why it comes in planks … The concrete subfloor had some glue residue left from previous carpet installs and taking strips from more recent carpet. Here is our second video explaining some of the differences between Vinyl Plank and Laminate. Unlike both hardwood flooring and laminate, vinyl flooring is completely waterproof. Bubbles pretty easy with water though. Originally the unit had a layer of what I believe was sheet vinyl [one big piece] and then had peel and stick vinyl tiles placed on top. It only took an hour or two to dry in the clean concrete spots. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines. I spent the time and I think it looks fantastic, but I can see that if you rushed it, the job could look really bad. I'd also suggest having lots of new razor blades, a good tape measure, a rafter square (for making straight cuts across the short edge), and a long enough t-square to make cuts along the long edge. This is on the tail end of a basement refresh project, so there has been a lot of other stuff leading up to this. If it's any help, this is in Florida. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Last week I grabbed a brush and tried to scrub … Some of the initial tedium was finding a straight line to start from that wouldn't leave me with tiny edges to cut and would line up well with some walls that weren't square (one of the walls was an addition way before we bought the place, and it was pretty shoddily done). They were just too old, too thin, and too worn. Here you go - the audio should now work! Not all types are waterproof, but some are and all should fare better than laminate if water is a concern. Perfect! The low cost, multiple style options and high durability make it a favorite in most residential applications. That could have made the job go lots faster. I finished a hallway and living room area (~450 sq/ft) in about 8 hours, but still have a bedroom to finish later. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Had a cat pee on a rug in the entryway and didn't realize it for a few days, floor underneath is bubbled. Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart. Laminate requires an underlayment, which can add $.50-$1.50/ per sq ft on top of the laminate cost, depending upon what type you get. Have you considered actual hardwood floors? It is used commonly in commercial settings. after being away from it for 4 years - came back and it was thrashed. As this was either of our first times laying flooring we thought this would be a nice step. Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP) is the … Laminate is a bit trickier to cut and install, whereas LPV can usually be cut with a utility knife or scored/snapped in half. Luxury Vinyl Tile vs Laminate. ft. That is pretty comparable in price with decent laminate. It comes in lots of varieties, but most common are made to look like wood or stone. Last night I primed the floor with Henry 336. Vinyl plank flooring is affordable, waterproof, and incredibly … Laminate can handle a spill of water, but standing water for any length of time can cause permanent damage. Looking for opinions on the best fake wood flooring! My fridge leaked water sometime between noon and 5 one day, floor is bubbled. I'm leaning towards vinyl just because of the dog and my clumsy nature. I put down some cheap vinyl plank in a rental and it looked like crap in several months- a few cuts and r=tears. I brought extra (we have about 4 cases of planks extra) and didn't have to switch out a single plank. I was thinking the click together ones would look better just on the basis that it would be stiffer but thats probably incorrect... How did your install go? Laminate can look more like wood, but some types of LPV are very convincing unless you're actually on the ground touching it. The newest forms … I might go with the click lock kind just because im not sure i can mess with glue. LVP does not require underlayment, but your subfloor could still require some preparation depending upon what it is and what condition it's in. Limitlessly customizable and designable, both vinyl and laminate allow the versatility needed to complete any interior design project. Had a renter in there who was there for a year and just moved out. Things picked up though and I think it all went pretty well. Another one of my units has a different kind of vinyl that feels great, looks more like stone, and came in larger swaths - it felt much harder like it wouldn't be able to bend. There are two major differences between laminate flooring and vinyl planks. Vinyl Wood Plank Durability. LPV doesn't have this. We found some Luxurious Vinyl Planking(as radbaldguy mentioned) on clearance and said what the hey? It has the cost effectiveness and scratch resistance of laminate, and with total water resistance to boot. I was going to go with the click together, but after reading lots and lots of reviews online, it found it to be a pretty commonly complained of failing point. It usually has an attached cork backing for some extra cushioning and insulation. It worked pretty well for leveling a the divots and feathering out some other uneven spots. Whereas hardwood and laminate have the potential to absorb moisture, expand, etc., luxury vinyl plank … The subfloor in my unit is uneven, i read i have to put down plywood across the whole thing. Vinyl Plank Flooring Versus Laminates. When it comes to design integrity, the vinyl vs. laminate comparison is pretty even. What are the positives and negatives of each? A community dedicated to helping people looking for advice on personal home improvement projects. … Laminate is made of 99% wood byproducts. I think the vinyl would be waterproof, and the laminate not, so maybe I should do kitchen/bathroom in vinyl and everything else in laminate? Originally I thought laminate was the one that looked exactly like hardwood and clicked together, and vinyl was like a giant sticker, but today I found out that they make vinyl that clicks together too! Which one is easier to install? But, in areas where some glue residue had been left, it took a little longer. Unlike hardwoods, it isn’t prone to scratc… LVP has a pretty good reputation for durability and can look very nice if installed well. The click lock might be a lot better for keeping tight edges, as long as the edge locks don't fail. I'm very pleased with how things turned out and I think this flooring will serve its purpose well. Laminate can also wear very well, but I wanted to install something that I could sort of put in and forget about without having to worry about whether a future renter would spill water or scratch the heck out of it. Compared to laminate flooring, vinyl planks are easier to clean as a wet mop will do the job just fine. What are the major differences between vinyl and laminate? I ended up going with peel & stick and will be installing it this week after I finish subfloor prep. It's a small four square style house so while it looks really tall from the outside the footprint isn't all that big. It sells for anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot, although most varieties fall closer to the $2 to $4 price range. How do these two types of flooring hold up when put to the test? Laminate flooring typically comes with a 5-10 year warranty, whereas luxury vinyl flooring is usually warrantied for 15 years or more. ... Let's help the laminate flooring redditor feel better about their mistake by sharing photos/stories of our own botched home improvement projects. I'm looking for something really durable, inexpensive, and easy to care for. This is speaking purely anecdotally, but most complaints tended to be edge-failure and/or bucklng because of the click together type. Laminate Flooring. LVP comes in several types, including click together or stick together floating varieties and peel & stick directly to the floor varieties. Awesome choice. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the HomeImprovement community. When we renovated our Condo (completely gutted it - what a learning experience.) Armstrong's Luxe planks won't buckle … Stick with laminate … … Both can get much more expensive from there, depending upon the brand and quality. However, I'm concerned about the "cheap" look and feel some people say it has (hard to tell from pictures). It’s I am doing a basement remodel project right now. The peel and stick looked cheap and I didn't like it. This was a peel & stick variety. Anyways, anyone care to weigh in? Anyway, we lived there a year and then moved out. Luxury vinyl flooring is manufactured to look just like hardwood flooring or ceramic tiles.This makes it an ideal choice for any style of home. I have some photos, but I'll have to upload them later once I'm actually done. Having water-proof flooring … Good luck. With laminate or click together LVP, replacement of a single piece would require disassembling the entire floor up to the point of the damaged piece. Laminate. She laid about 800 sqft by herself. What should i look for when buying luxurious plank vinyl? I picked up one of these because the large rental unit wasn't available and this was the same cost as the rental. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVP) Luxury vinyl plank flooring — or LVP — is a fan favorite for its convincing wood-like looks, high-quality construction and comfort underfoot. Once you're paying attention, you'll start noticing it all over the place. LVP flooring is crafted with four layers including a waterproof, PVC vinyl … My comments may seem more one-sided toward LVP, as I recently decided to go with it in a project I'm doing. Laminate can be slippery with socks on, but some newer types have better texture to help with this. I did my kitchen and entryway in laminate, liked the "wood floor" look. LVP is more resistive to water. Overall, luxury vinyl is the clear winner. Luxury vinyl flooring is flexible, like normal vinyl, but thicker and more robust matching the durability of laminate. The first couple of rows were slow going until I found my groove. We also chose LVP because we plan to use our townhouse as a rental eventually. The price is the most important one to consider. Virtually all laminate flooring uses a fiberboard core. If you have to find a contrast between vinyl wood plank flooring and laminate flooring, it's in the former's fuller attention to durability. Vinyl planks are taking over the flooring industry, and for good reason! I should also mention - this is a low budget deal so we aren't talking the best high quality luxury products out there - we will be looking for something under $2/sq ft. EDIT: Forgot to say where flooring would be going. Best Peel and Stick: d-c-fix Self-Adhesive Film, Sonoma Oak. Not only are we very busy and just don't have time for the upkeep, we have a 140lb English Mastiff whose idea of exercise is to sprint around our house like a maniac lol (he's 3 but you would think he's still a pup by the way he acts) as well as 4 cats. It's not a bad idea to get some samples and try to damage them yourself to see how well it will hold up to the abuses you might expect (water, pets, furniture, etc.). Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is an affordable waterproof floor that looks like hardwood. Im definitely leaning towards vinyl now, i just want to make sure it doesnt look cheap like it did before.
2020 reddit luxury vinyl plank vs laminate