|
About:
|
Here, we discuss the key differences between luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminate flooring, this will help you decide which is best for your home!
At first, they can both seem pretty similar but below the surface there are actually a fair few differences between them.
What is laminate flooring made of?
Laminate is made from High-Density Fibre boards - tiny pieces of recycled wood pulp pressed together under extremely high pressure. This is a very environmentally friendly method of production which makes laminate practical and affordable.
What is LVT made of?
LVT is made from PVC-based materials, which makes it incredibly tough. Because of this, LVT often has longer warranties and is generally quieter and warmer underfoot when compared to laminate floors.
Which is waterproof?
Whilst there are ranges of laminate floors which are guaranteed waterproof including these Quick-Step waterproof laminates, all other laminate boards can be damaged from water sitting on them for prolonged periods of time so it's best to mop up spills as quickly as possible.
Every LVT range is made from PVC which is 100% waterproof - it's why they're so popular in bathrooms. This also gives you more freedom over design choice.
Durability
LVT and laminate flooring are both extremely durable. Both floors are brilliant at resisting scratches thanks to the tough wear layer that each board/tile is coated with. This means both floors are perfect for areas with high traffic.
The difference between the two is that it is possible to completely recoat a LVT floor with a new wear layer, which isn't possible for laminate floors. However, in most cases, if you scratch or dent a small area of it's often possible to replace that tile or board.
Installing LVT vs laminate flooring
All laminate floors are joined using a built-in locking mechanism and laid over an underlay (known as a floating floor system) with no need for glue or nails. This makes installing laminate floors a potential DIY job. Vinyl floors, meanwhile, are mostly glued down, which is a more involved process that needs a lot more skill - therefore we recommend a professional fitter for LVT.
Room suitability
All laminate floors are joined using a built-in locking mechanism and laid over an underlay (known as a floating floor system) with no need for glue or nails. This makes installing laminate floors a potential DIY job.
Vinyl floors, meanwhile, are mostly glued down, which is a more involved process that needs a lot more skill - therefore we recommend a professional fitter for LVT.
What Is The Most Durable Garage Floor Covering?
Whether you use your garage as a car parking area, laundry area, or home gym, you want a floor that sustains your uses. A durable garage floor is an asset because it saves costs on floor repairs. It also gives you the freedom to maximize garage usage. A floor that sustains high traffic, resists damage and offers easy cleaning is crucial. While most garage floor finishes are durable, not all may match your needs.
|
