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LVT Vs Laminate: Which Is Better?

LVT vs laminate which is better

LVT and Laminate flooring experts are often asked which of the two flooring types is better. The fact of the matter is, though, the answer is always “it depends on your needs”, which is an excellent position to be in considering both are top-of-the-line flooring options.

So, Luvanto has made this article to explore which flooring suits which specific needs of a household, so you can make an informed decision in choosing the perfect floor.

What is LVT and Laminate Flooring made of?

Before we begin to weigh up the pros and cons of both LVT and laminate floors, it’s important to understand the difference between these two flooring types.

LVT is made from vinyl, a soft material that has anti-moisture properties. Laminate Planks are made from high-density fibre boards, such as recycled wood pulp. Despite not being hardwood flooring, it will certainly feel like it, whereas LVT is soft and warmer underfoot.

The construction is important to understand, as it is what directly contributes to the desirability of both flooring options.

Considering LVT? Discover the Luvanto range here

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing Between Laminate And LVT

QAF LVT

The following are five factors to consider when considering LVT vs Laminate Flooring. Bear in mind that we are speaking purely about the standard versions of each to make it easier for you to compare the two. 

DURABILITY

Nobody wants a weak floor. Durability directly ties into the value of your floor because it determines how nice your floor will look, as well as how long it will be until you have to replace it.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles retain their appearance consistently with low maintenance. As a base product, it is impact-resistant and scratch-resistant thanks to the thick protective layer on the surface of the vinyl flooring.

Laminate floors differ in this regard. Unless you opt for water-resilient laminate floors, you can expect your laminate to have next to no water resistance. It is resistant to scratches, but not to the extent of luxury vinyl flooring. On top of that, LVT floors can be replaced much easier than laminate. The sections of LVT can be replaced without needing to take apart the floor, whereas you would need to disassemble laminate from the wall to effectively replace it. It’s like reverse-installing laminate flooring all over again, which is a hassle compared to LVT’s floating floor system which allows for quick fixes in the unlikely event that it’s necessary in the first place.

Whilst laminate flooring typically has a lifespan of around 15 years, LVT often lasts for a significantly longer period. For example, Luvanto LVT flooring comes with a minimum 25-year domestic warranty, giving you complete peace of mind that your LVT flooring will last for many years to come.

Floor Comfort

Imagine getting out of bed and immediately placing your feet on cold ceramic floors. Whilst certainly a way to wake up, it’s a bit unpleasant. That’s why LVT is so popular in bedrooms. The warmth and the springy underfoot nature of LVT make it a top choice for areas that require peace.

Laminate flooring is known for being cold underfoot and requires higher levels of heating to warm up. Without underfloor heating, you can expect to find it difficult to warm up your laminate flooring. On top of that, Laminate feels like hardwood flooring despite its lowered weight and durability.

SAFETY

Both the flooring options lack completely waterproof features, but nonetheless, laminate floors don’t often come with slip resistance.

Many varieties of LVT flooring offer a non-slip feature, helping to reduce the risk of falls. This is particularly useful for households with children or vulnerable people.

Whichever you choose, look for flooring with a high wet slip resistance to ensure the safety of your household.

APPEARANCE

Who doesn’t want a stylish flooring option? Laminate and LVT are both high-end, beautiful flooring options. That being said, LVT flooring allows you to choose from a range of colours and design options using different size planks or tiles and design strips. This means that you have more control over the appearance of your flooring when you choose LVT flooring.

PRICE

The quality and the involved engineering process of LVT flooring is typically more demanding than that of Laminate, and that’s why LVT is typically more expensive. But when you consider the longevity of both, you will almost certainly see that it evens out. If you prioritise a lower upfront cost, though, then laminate flooring will usually come out on top.

Take a look at Luvanto’s high-quality LVT flooring here

Pros And Cons Of LVT Flooring

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of LVT flooring to help you make an informed decision.

PROS OF LVT FLOORING

There are many benefits of LVT flooring, which is why this type of flooring is currently soaring in popularity. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of LVT flooring below.

  • Highly durable – LVT is hard to chip. It has high scratch resistance, and its springy hide is unlikely to suffer dents. But even if any of this were to happen, replacing that one tile should take no longer than five minutes.
  • Easy to clean – LVT is non-porous. There is nowhere for dirt to hide or water to seep making cleaning a breeze.
  • Customisable appearance – Whether you prefer wood, stone or tile effect, or intricate patterns, LVT caters to it – and for many, this is the main draw.
  • Comfort – For its strength and resistance, luxury vinyl tile is incredibly comfortable, second only to luxury rugs, but much easier to keep clean.
  • Long lifespan – LVT lasts for so long that Luvanto offers a 25-year warranty.
  • Water resistant – LVT flooring is often chosen due to being suitable for use in bathrooms, thanks to its high water resistance.

CONS OF LVT FLOORING

Disadvantages exist across all flooring types. For LVT flooring the main cons include:

  • Cost – Quality requires complex manufacturing and resource investment, driving up costs.
  • Glue Down – The complexity of glue down LVT makes it highly necessary to find a professional installer.

Is LVT right for you? Check out the Luvanto range of LVT flooring here

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Pros And Cons Of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a fellow contender for most popular modern flooring type, thanks to its hefty advantages.

PROS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring has many advantages, which is why many people choose this type in their homes. Here are some of the benefits of choosing laminate flooring.

  • Affordable – Laminate floors have a far lower price point than LVT.
  • Readily available – Laminate floors are widely available across many storefronts.
  • Easy to fit – Installing laminate flooring is considered easier than LVT, although this depends on which method you choose to install. Click LVT flooring is often just as easy, if not easier to install.
  • Easy to clean – This type of flooring is easy to clean, but be careful when using water, as water damages laminate.

CONS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

For every pro, there’s a con. Laminate flooring has the following:

  • Easily damaged – Laminate floors become damaged fairly easily. They are prone to chipping and scratches, and if they are ever damaged, you must choose whether to uproot much of the floor to replace the plank, or leave it.
  • Not water resistant – Most types of Laminate Flooring are not water resistant. Whilst waterproof laminate exists, you can expect to pay a higher price tag for it.
  • Louder underfoot – Laminate flooring is much harder than LVT. This means you will hear your footsteps much louder.

LAMINATE OR LVT – OUR VERDICT

As always, the question of LVT and laminate flooring depends solely on your needs. That being said, we will say this: we fully believe that LVT is suitable for every room, whereas laminate flooring tends to come with damage risks.

Looking for quality LVT flooring? Discover the Luvanto range here

 

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