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Vinyl Flooring
When it comes to flooring options, your choice set is wide, as more advanced digital technologies and sustainable processes come online that enable the development of a variety of manmade and synthetic materials that mimic nature’s precious resources, without damaging them.
Laminated Flooring and Vinyl Flooring are two of the frontrunners in the wood look flooring popularity polls. But which one is right for your space, your chosen aesthetic... and your pocket? Both options offer a range of benefits, but they differ significantly in terms of engineering, appearance and performance. Let’s delve into the details of each option, exploring their pros and cons, to help you decide which one will do the most to help you live beautifully and mindfully.
What is Laminated Flooring?
Good quality laminated flooring may look like authentic wood, but it is not made from natural wood. Laminated flooring is a flooring material engineered by layering synthetic materials. Most often, these are high-density fibreboard (HDF) or medium-density fibreboard (MDF) – made from collected wood fibres – with a surface designed to mimic wood grain, and a transparent resin protective layer (the “wear” layer).
What is Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Flooring is a flexible, water-resistant flooring material made from multiple layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The core of each vinyl wood look plank is usually fibreglass. The wood grain look is digitally printed onto the surface, topped with a “wear” layer for protection. The finished layers are then heat-pressed together to create the vinyl “planks”, and finally, coated.
The Pros and Cons of Laminated Flooring.
Pros:
*More affordable than natural wooden flooring.
*Easy to install.
*Available in a variety of wood look options.
*Durable if maintained carefully and used in the right environments.
Cons:
*Limited water resistance, not suitable for high moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Moisture over time will cause tenting and cupping, with peaked and swollen seams.
*May fade or discolour over time.
*May scratch.
The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Wood Look Flooring.
Pros:
*Good water-resistance.
*Durable.
*Easy maintenance.
*Suitable for high-traffic areas.
*A luxurious option.
Cons:
*More costly than laminate.
*May require professional installation.
*Repair options are limited, replacement tiles required.
Let’s Compare Laminated Flooring and Vinyl Flooring.
Appearance
*Laminated Flooring: offers a range of wood looks but may lack the true look and feel of real wood.
*Vinyl Flooring: Provides a more realistic wood look and feel, especially with luxury vinyl options.
Texture
*Laminated Flooring: May have a smoother texture.
*Vinyl Flooring: Offers a more natural texture and feeling underfoot.
Life Span
Laminated Flooring: Between 10 and 20 years.
Vinyl Flooring: High-end Vinyl Flooring will offer a good return on investment, with well over 20 years of flawless service.
Cost
Laminated Flooring: Generally, the more affordable option.
Vinyl Flooring: You’re looking at higher cost, here, especially for luxury options.
Stain Resistance
Laminated Flooring: Limited stain resistance. A bad stain can be mitigated with quick action. Choose a laminate brand that offers warranty protection.
Vinyl Flooring: Can stain, so, as with Laminated Flooring, quick action is needed in the case of spills. Please note that if you scour your vinyl floors during regular maintenance, you will damage the surface and make it porous. Only a soft, damp mop should be used.
Water Resistance
Laminated Flooring: Limited water resistance. Should not be used in bathrooms and kitchens. Water will cause the laminate seams to peak and swell. The planks will tent and cup, lifting off the base.
Vinyl Flooring: Excellent water resistance.
UV Resistance
Laminate Flooring: May fade and discolour over time in full sun. Shutters, drapes or voiles at windows may help filter harmful sun rays and mitigate against sun damage.
Vinyl Flooring: Offers higher UV resistance, so it is worth investing in a top-tier vinyl option to benefit from better quality surface coatings and base materials. The best Vinyl
Flooring is manufactured with a special surface coating developed to offer UV protection. The thickness and composition of the vinyl itself will affect the action of UV light. Once again, luxury vinyl options are thicker, and thus better protected. However, as with laminates, we advise minimising direct sun, with shuttered or draped windows.
Foot Traffic And Durability
Laminated Flooring: Will offer durability when subjected to moderate foot traffic.
Vinyl Flooring: Because of its softer, more flexible body, Vinyl Wood Look Flooring will handle high foot traffic for many years.
Sustainability
Of course, both Laminated Flooring and Vinyl Flooring options are a more mindful choice than opting for real hardwood flooring. But if you’re looking to invest in eco-chic style, always ask for proof of provenance, and that includes inquiring about sustainable manufacturing processes.
Best Spaces For Laminated Flooring And Vinyl Flooring
Laminated Flooring: Best suited to bedrooms and living areas.
Vinyl Flooring: Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms.
Laminated Flooring vs Vinyl Flooring: The Final Flooring Face-Off
*Durability: Vinyl Wood-Look Flooring wins.
*Cost: Laminated Flooring is more affordable.
*Maintenance: Vinyl Flooring is easier to maintain.
*Water Resistance: Vinyl Flooring excels.
*Soundproofing: Vinyl flooring has better soundproofing properties and offers softer footfall.
*High Traffic Areas: Vinyl Flooring is more suitable.
Both Laminated Flooring and Vinyl Flooring have their fair share of pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, but overall, modern luxury Vinyl Wood-look Flooring stands out for its durability, water resistance, soft feel underfoot and naturalistic texture.
Italtile’s Exclusive The Moda Vinile Vinyl Wood Look Floor Tile Collection.
Italtile’s exclusive imported Moda Vinile Vinyl Wood-look Floor Tile ranges offer excellent all-round value for money, sustainably manufactured to offer eco-chic looks, solid build quality and impressive durability. Every bit as beautiful as the real thing. Only, more mindful. Offering next-level vinyl remastering of the true nature of wood grain, tones and textures. We also like to think of these beautiful “timber style” vinyl floor tiles as family-proof, developed to take everyday knocks, spills and impact. Browse the ranges online and discover the many benefits of these supernaturalistic stunners.
Browse our lush Moda Vinile Vinyl Wood-Look Floor Tile Collection, use our free online digital tools like uView to try them out in your space, chat to our design-certified sales consultants in store, or contact us online if you need a little more reassurance or more information before you make your final choice. We don’t want you to be floored by difficult choices!
Invest in your home. As with all interior design decisions, when choosing between the Laminated Flooring and Vinyl Wood Look Flooring, consider your specific needs, your budget, and preferences. At Italtile, we will always advise you to invest in the very best quality you can afford. This ensures that your sophisticated style choice will hold its value, offer decades of pleasure, and impress potential buyers when the time comes to put the “For Sale” sign up.
Live Beautifully.
Ciao.
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