Both luxury vinyl flooring and laminate are attractive, affordable alternatives to genuine wood. They have evolved to include better graphics and technology like micro beveling and embossing.
They are both synthetic products. Yet there are some significant differences. It's going to come down to how much you value specific characteristics.
Waterproofing
This is the most significant difference!
Luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) and its counterpart, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), are 100% waterproof. The capability is inherent, as they are made from waterproof materials such as vinyl.
Waterproof means it can be submerged or spilled on without damage. Whether you choose luxury vinyl tile or vinyl plank flooring, you’ll get a surface that’s completely impenetrable to water.
Original laminate is made from wood byproducts, so it's often avoided in wet, steamy areas like the kitchen or bath. A new waterproof version features a non-wood construction and makes it spill-proof.
Design
Luxury vinyl flooring has two popular forms: planks to mimic hardwood floorboards and stone slabs. It can also be cut into square-tile-sized pieces, mainly used for stone and tile echoes.
Laminate comes in only one form: plank, also used for stone looks.
The feeling underfoot
Luxury vinyl flooring is warmer and more flexible. Your LVT and LVP flooring in Goose Creek, SC, is resilient. The laminate is firm and rigid.
What else to know about vinyl plank flooring
This isn't the vinyl you may remember from decades past. There are no flat images; they're so vibrant and realistic that people sometimes have trouble telling them from the real thing.
The floors have depth, dimension, and textured looks. Textures include wire-brushed, hand-scraped, distressed, and embossed-in-register.
The latter texture may be the most authentic yet. Embossing creates little indentations that exactly match those of the image.
Visit us for your laminate and luxury vinyl flooring needs
Exceeding customer expectations is our mission at the Flooring Factory. Whether luxury vinyl flooring or some other surface, you can be assured we'll finish the project on time and within budget.
Visit us in Goose Creek or Mt. Pleasant, SC, where you’ll see brands like COREtec, Daltile, and more. We work with homeowners and businesses in Goose Creek, Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, and Daniel Island.
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