Vinyl plank vs laminate · Kirksville, MO
Vinyl plank or laminate? How to choose for your Kirksville home
Luxury vinyl plank and laminate both give you a wood look without the cost and care of real hardwood, and from across the room they can be hard to tell apart. The difference is in what each plank is made of, and that changes how it handles water, wear and the rooms in your home. Here is how they compare, so you can walk into Kirksville Carpet One knowing which samples to pull.
What each floor is made of
Vinyl plank (often called LVP) is a plastic-based plank. A printed wood or stone look sits under a clear wear layer that takes the daily traffic. Underneath is a core, either a rigid stone-plastic core or a softer wood-plastic core, and many planks have a pad already attached.
Laminate is built on a dense fiberboard core made from wood fibers. A photographic wood layer sits on top, sealed under a hard, clear surface layer. That hard top is why laminate tends to hold up well to scratches and scuffs.
Both usually click together and float over the floor underneath instead of being nailed or glued down.
How they compare
| What matters | Vinyl plank | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Many vinyl planks are made to handle water on the surface without swelling. | Traditional laminate has a wood-fiber core that can swell if water gets into the seams. Some newer laminates are built to resist water, so check the exact product. |
| Scratches | Resists everyday wear, and a thicker wear layer generally holds up better. | The hard top layer is very scratch resistant. |
| Feel underfoot | Softer and a little warmer, and often quieter with an attached pad. | Firmer, and it can sound hollow without a good underlayment. |
| Look | Realistic wood and stone looks, including tile-look options. | Very realistic wood grain and texture, often with deep embossing. |
| Floor underneath | Needs a flat, smooth floor. Bumps and dips can show through. | Needs a flat floor too, and is less forgiving of moisture from below. |
Neither floor is right for every room. The best choice depends on where it is going and how your household uses it.
Which floor for which room
- Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms: most people lean toward vinyl plank, because spills, drips and wet boots are part of daily life in those rooms.
- Basements: vinyl plank is the more common pick over concrete, where moisture can come up from below. We check the floor at your measure either way.
- Living rooms, bedrooms and offices: both work well. If scratches from kids, chairs or a big dog are your worry, a laminate with a hard surface layer is worth comparing.
- Open floor plans: choose the floor that suits the wettest room in the run, so you can keep one floor all the way through without a break at each doorway.
What to check on a sample
The details that matter most are on the sample and its specs, not the color name.
- Water rating. Ask what the exact product says about water and which rooms it is suited for. "Water resistant" and "waterproof" do not mean the same thing.
- Wear layer or surface rating. For busy homes and pets, compare how thick the vinyl wear layer is, or how the laminate surface is rated for wear.
- Texture and sheen. A matte, textured finish hides small scratches and dust better than a glossy one.
- Plank size. Longer, wider planks make a room feel bigger. Look at a larger sample to see the pattern repeat.
- Care instructions. Some floors should not be steam mopped. Check before you buy.
Take a few samples home. Look at them in the morning and in the evening, next to your cabinets and trim.
What it costs
Price depends on the product, the size of your rooms and what is under your floor now. Our vinyl plank cost guide shows our picks with their material price per square foot, and you can browse our laminate the same way. For a real number, our online estimator prices every room with your choice of floor and shows an installed price and a materials-only price.
Our installed price includes professional installation and tear-out and haul-away of your old floor. Floor prep is added only if your floor needs it, and we check that at your free in-home measure.
See them side by side in Kirksville
The quickest way to decide is to stand on both. Our showroom at 1200 N Baltimore St has vinyl plank and laminate samples you can compare in person and take home. If you are planning the whole project, read what happens from measure to install day.
We serve Kirksville, La Plata, Lancaster, Edina, Macon, Milan and Memphis. Start your flooring estimate online, or call (660) 956-4560.