So you are looking to add a touch of luxury to your home and you have found yourself here, comparing laminate flooring, vinyl and hardwood benefits and drawbacks. Did you know that genuine hardwood isn’t the only way to achieve a classic wood floor look in your home?
There are manufacturers that mimic the appearance of wood with other materials and then companies like us who supply and install laminate flooring in different cities – in our case, Belfast.
Laminate vinyl timber flooring is great and adds a great feel to any room that it is installed in, these engineered wood floors provide advantages that exceed those of hardwood flooring.
Are you having trouble selecting flooring material? Perhaps this comparison of vinyl flooring and different types of hardwood flooring will be useful. To you in deciding on the right flooring for your home.
What is the Difference Between Vinyl and Laminate?
Hardwood is a naturally occurring substance. It’s made by chopping down trees in forests and wooded areas whereas vinyl and laminate flooring is a manmade composite flooring option that mimics the colour and patterns of genuine wood grains.
Manufacturers can now create vinyl and laminate that looks like natural oak, timber, Cherrywood and so many more exotic timbers thanks to advances in printing technology.
Cost: Solid Wood vs. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is less expensive than opting for a hardwood or engineered wood flooring. Natural wood floors can cost anywhere from £40-£140 per square metre. While vinyl or laminate however is more affordable, coming in at £30 per square metre.. Consider vinyl flooring if you want to save money yet still achieve a luxury look.
Make sure that you are going with a reputable vinyl/laminate flooring supplier like us, we pride ourselves on our quality flooring that Belfast can trust in and get good value for money. Vinyl flooring prices may be affected by specialty printing, designs, and textures, you can call and speak to us for any questions that you might have surrounding flooring.
How Durable are Vinyl Floors?
There are two types of vinyl flooring: solid and printed. Both types of vinyl flooring have advantages and disadvantages that may favour one over the other.
Solid vinyl floors have a through depth to them. In other words, the colour is consistent throughout with solid vinyl flooring. It is common knowledge that this type of flooring will scrape and dent over time.
Printed vinyl is protected by an undetectable wear layer. It has a longer lifespan than solid vinyl floors. The thickness of the protective coating on printed vinyl determines its lifetime. Vinyl wood floors come with a 20-25 year warranty from the manufacturer as standard.
Hardwood floors may survive for decades if they are properly maintained and cared for. The type of wood used in wood flooring has an impact on its resistance to wear and tear that the standard home would have. Hardwood floor owners can employ a hardwood floor treatment to boost their floors’ natural strength.
Hardwood flooring that has been damaged can be repaired through being polished or restored back to its former glory.
What Wood can Laminate Resemble?
Vinyl can be manufactured to look like any sort of wood since its surface is a printed imitation of wood. The price of vinyl planks is determined by the market. When it comes to vinyl wood flooring, though, there isn’t much of a price difference between ordinary and exotic varieties of wood. Under a vinyl floor, padding can also be put.
You’ll get the look and feel of hardwood floors in an area when you combine the two. The added padding improves the comfort of the floor. Installing vinyl flooring with padding improves the room’s insulation and efficiency.
Hardwood flooring isn’t all the same. There are various things that can influence the appearance of wood flooring. The grade, species, cut, colour, and finish treatments used on the floor can all have an impact on how the floor looks. The cost of natural wood flooring can also be influenced by the different types of wood utilised for the flooring.
Wet Area and Vinyl Planks
Vinyl flooring is not affected by humidity or moisture. Unlike timber floors, you may also damp mop the floor to clean it thoroughly. Vinyl flooring is perfect for bathrooms, laundries, and basements due to its moisture-resistant properties.
Final Consideration for Laminate Flooring
If you want a wood look floor but don’t want to go with engineered or solid wood, laminate flooring is a good option. Laminate is also incredibly durable and ideal for moist areas, and it comes in a variety of wood effects, colours, and patterns, as well as being significantly less expensive than luxury vinyl planks.
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