Hardwood Vs Laminate Vs Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is less expensive to purchase and install offering homeowners the greatest immediate value vinyl flooring comes in three basic types.

Hardwood vs laminate vs vinyl.

If you re shopping for flooring or even if you re just interested in home decor and remodeling you ve probably heard of both engineered hardwood and lamina. Vinyl flooring is a 100 percent synthetic material. Both resemble true hardwood but each comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. Sheet tile and planks.

Tiles and planks are similar to each other in. Vinyl flooring is a softer floor that allows for more falls and spills than hardwood or laminate. Both are relatively inexpensive budget friendly options. It will probably look the least natural but that is not necessarily a bad thing depending on what look you are going for.

If you re seeking an alternative to hardwood but laminate doesn t sound like the material for you consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl. Hardwood engineered wood. When it comes down to price there s not a lot of difference between laminate and vinyl flooring. Vinyl tiles and sheet goods cost 1 to 5 per square foot.

Major differences solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through. Professional installation adds 1 to 2 per square foot depending on the complexity of the project. Does either type compare to more expensive flooring or do they fall flat. Sheet vinyl is the most cost effective material at 0 50 to 2 per square foot.

The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. In standard sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles the base layer is usually fiberglass which is then coated in pvc vinyl and a plasticizer. Hardwood is likely to remain the most popular flooring choice. Though its durability rivals engineered wood both hardwoods and engineered wood cost significantly more look more natural and give you a higher return on your investment.

The greatest factor affecting the cost is the quality and type of the materials used. Luxury vinyl looks like hardwoods but is made of pvc to be 100 waterproof. Laminate is a great mid priced flooring option but there are times when a more expensive hardwood floor or a cheaper vinyl floor could be a better match for your home.