Discover the factors to consider when choosing between the two.

Read on to find out which option is best for you and your home.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

A general interior view of a small tiled and painted white kitchen

Credit:Getty Images/John Keeble

Then, the printed image is fused on top of the corethis provides the visual look of the floor.

On top is a wear layer, a clear top coating that provides extreme scratch resistance.

Laminate is a highly resilient floor that offers a lot of benefits, but there are drawbacks, too.

Additionally, while many laminate styles are waterproof, they can be more susceptible to water damage.

Plus, they can also stain more easily than other types of flooring.

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl is composed of a synthetic material known for its durability, waterproof protection, andeasy maintenance.

Vinyl flooring is widely popular among homeowners for being waterproof, scratch-resistant, affordable, and easy to install.

If it is thick, high-quality vinyl, it could last upwards of 25 years.

But if it is thinner vinyl and isnt maintained properly, it will probably last closer to 10 years.

The lifespan of laminate is pretty similar.

Cost

Both laminate and vinyl are pretty similar in terms of cost.

In many cases, they also feel authentic underfoot with their textures, which is another bonus.

There are countless looks people can select when it comes to laminate and vinyl designs.

However, laminate flooring does tend to look a little bit more high-quality than vinyl.

This is because laminate can come in so many different colors, woods, stones, and more.