Is LVT Flooring Better Than Laminate?
By Created: July, 2021 - Modified: January, 2024
Related Product: Florence Green Engineered Hardwood Flooring 41.5 Sq Ft per Carton
Laminate and LVT may look very similar and are suitable flooring solutions for many areas of the home and some commercial businesses. They are both available in many colors and styles, and the installation processes for both are quite similar.
The main difference between LVT and vinyl laminate is that they are made from different materials. They are both made of layers. Most laminate has a core made of dense fiberboard bonded with resins - giving it its strength and durability. Then, the top is made of hard plastic over a printed design. LVT is made of PVC vinyl, giving LVT flooring its dimensional stability and flexibility.
Laminate and LVT products are both economical, durable, and attractive. So, you may be wondering which one is better. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons and characteristics of each to help you decide.
- Versatility. A pro to both is that the products are versatile. Because both are relatively easy to install, they can be used in many settings. LVT can essentially go anywhere, as it can endure moisture. A con to laminate flooring is that most have limited moisture resistance. So, LVT flooring is likely a better choice for a bathroom or mudroom, but either could be used in a dining room, living room, or office.
- Appearance. A pro to both is that they have realistic wood or stone appearances. Laminate has embossing on its surface with images of the material being replicated - like ceramic, wood, or stone. LVT can also look realistic with its deeper embossing process.
- Weather resistance. A con to laminate flooring is that because its core is often made of wood, it can sometimes swell or soften if exposed to humidity, and the wear and design layers can peel away over time if humidity causes too much moisture to be present. A pro to LVT flooring is that it is typically not negatively impacted by moisture or weather.
- Maintenance. A major pro for LVT is how easy it is to clean and maintain. Since it is waterproof and robust, it can be wet-mopped, and scrubbed, and a variety of cleaner products can be used. Some see laminate flooring’s vulnerability to moisture as a con in terms of cleaning, as it needs to be dry cleaned or wet cleaned with a mop that is only damp.
- Environmental impact. Neither LVT nor laminate flooring products are super eco-friendly, but a pro to laminate flooring is that some have a fiberboard core - making it slightly more friendly to the environment.
No flooring can really be coined better than the other, as personal preferences really come into play. Greatmats offers a number of LVT and laminate products to choose from - all of which are attractive, cost-effective, durable, and easy to install. Here is a short list of some of the more popular products:
LVT Flooring
- Envee Rigid Core LVT Planks are floating vinyl planks made from 100 percent recyclable material and designed to endure heavy foot traffic. It’s a product that is fire resistant, and it boasts a water and dirt-tight surface.
This LVT flooring is suitable for commercial, retail, and residential settings. It’s a beautiful product with high-resolution imagery. It is slip and scratch resistant, and it’s also mold, mildew, and odor-resistant while providing anti-fatigue benefits. - Envee Tacky Back LVT Laminate Tile is a vinyl flooring option that is easy to install without special tools or glue, as it has a convenient peel and stick backing. It’s super economical, resistant to moisture, and durable. It can easily be installed on any flat, hard surface. They are environmentally friendly flooring squares, as they consist of 100% recyclable materials.
- HomeStyle Stone Series Floor Tile offers a desirable mixture of durability, comfort, and style. These tiles show off the natural beauty of stone without having the same cleaning and installation hassles of real stone.
This LVT can be used in commercial or residential settings and is installed using an interlocking or glue-down application process - resulting in a smooth, stone floor that is non-absorbent.
There are a number of popular colors to choose from, and it’s accompanied by a 10-year commercial and 25-year residential use warranty. It’s super low maintenance.
Laminate Flooring
- Castle Oak Engineered Hardwood Flooring is a high-quality laminate flooring product that comes in light, medium, and dark shades for any room in your home.
This flooring solution has beveled edges and comes in random-length planks. It is a breeze to maintain and clean, and it looks attractive and performs well in residential and commercial settings. It is Lacey Act Compliant and contains recycled pre-consumer raw material, so it’s also eco-friendly. - Cork Laminate Flooring Latvia is a very robust laminate floor that is abrasion resistant and water resistant. It’s also comfortable and shock-absorbing for bare feet.
This robust laminate floor reduces the appearance of scratches, scuffs, rough spots, and other imperfections. It’s also eco-friendly, made using sustainable methods. - Max Tile Raised Floor Tile is a very versatile flooring option that looks like authentic hardwood, but it features an attractive, commercial-grade vinyl surface that is scratch and stain resistant.
This product really is non-absorbent, so it’s a great laminate option for areas prone to moisture. It also has a raised, floating design that allows for air and water flow beneath it, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
