At Discount Flooring Depot, we are proud to offer our customers a wide variety of luxury vinyl floor tiles and laminate flooring options to suit every property and application. With so much choice available, it can be hard to determine which flooring may be best for you. So, we have put together a handy guide to highlight the respective differences and benefits of the two flooring types. All you need to do is sit back, relax and read through all of our advice on tile effect laminate flooring and luxury vinyl floor tiles.
What is Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring?
An innovation in the flooring industry, luxury vinyl tiles are perfect for use within the home with their stylish and sleek appearance. It is an easy to clean flooring that many prefer for use within the kitchen and bathroom, although, where you lay it is really up to you. Different to standard vinyl, luxury vinyl arrives in individual pieces known as ‘planks’, whereas standard vinyl comes in a sheet that is cut and measured to fit your required room. Worried about installation? Although vinyl tiles may seem more complicated to install, we have a range of vinyl click flooring that is easy to fit. With a simple click, tiles are locked in place together.
Both standard and luxury vinyl are composed of four layers. From bottom to top, they are the backing layer, design layer, clear layer and finally, the protective wear layer. The difference between the two, in this instance, is that luxury vinyl floor tiles have much thicker layers that make it a more durable and hard-wearing flooring option.
Many choose luxury vinyl tile flooring as it is an easy-to-install, durable flooring option that offers both style and practicality for every home. Available in a variety of styles, including imitation stone, tile and wood effect, there is luxury vinyl to suit every home and decor.
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring has been much-loved by
property owners for many years, and it’s not hard to see why with its sleek
appearance and many other attractive qualities. Similar to vinyl, laminate
flooring is made up of different layers that ensure it is a durable and
hard-wearing floor that will stand the test of time.
Perfect for use within living
rooms with a lot of furniture on the ground, laminate flooring is
scratch-resistant. Also, making it a good choice for children’s playrooms,
where bulky plastic is endlessly scraped across the floor.
A much cheaper substitute for real wood flooring, laminate is a sleek option that suits any area of the home. Easy to install with a simple ‘click’ system, it is not hard to see why it is such a popular choice for many home ‘DIYers’.
If you’re tired of endlessly
cleaning your floors, laminate flooring is an easy-clean surface, which makes
it ideal for use within the kitchen. Say goodbye to spaghetti stains and muddy
footprints, with a simple wipe clean, laminate flooring looks sparkling, once
again.
Plus, laminate is available in a wide variety of styles and colours, including the popular tile effect. Whether you’re looking for a refresh to your living room or bedroom, laminate flooring will transform any space.
Prices
When investing in new flooring
for your property, the cost is often a big deciding factor in your choice.
Whilst it is important to consider all of the advantages and disadvantages on
which material may be best for you, taking into account style and practicality.
We understand that cost can certainly serve as the deciding factor.
For laminate flooring, it is a much cheaper alternative to solid wood, whilst still providing the same style and effect for your home. At Discount Flooring Depot, we offer stylish laminate flooring at low prices per square meter. In comparison to laminate, luxury vinyl tiles are available at a slightly higher price, but they are still a relatively cost-effective flooring option. Although it is more expensive than standard vinyl, this reflects the differences between the two and the higher quality of the product that luxury vinyl floor tiles provide.
Keeping Warm
Warmer than standard vinyl due
to the thicker construction, luxury vinyl tiles will be somewhat warmer
underfoot. Whilst it is not an insulating material, the warmth it provides can
be improved with a padded underlayment, but it should be noted that this would
increase the overall cost of the flooring.
Like vinyl, laminate is a
neutral material in terms of transmitting heat. With proper underlay, laminate
can be warmer on the feet, but otherwise, it is not best-known for any
heat-retaining qualities.
Waterproof
If a waterproof flooring is
important to you, then our advice on luxury vinyl and laminate may help in your
decision between the two.
Luxury vinyl tiles are fully
waterproof, making them a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Whereas,
laminate flooring is only water-resistant.
For this reason, we do advise that laminate flooring is not used within the bathroom, however, it is suitable for kitchens where spillages may be light.
Durability and Life
Flooring is an investment, and
you will want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money. As
reflected in the price differences, luxury vinyl tiles are a more durable
flooring choice built to last up to 20 years. This is assuming that proper care
is taken with the flooring.
Similarly, laminate is still a
highly durable flooring, although it does have a slightly shorter life span of
15 years.
Both are built to withstand the frequent foot traffic in the home and in some cases commercial properties. No matter which you opt for, we do advise that good care is taken to ensure that you get the most benefit and life out of your new flooring.
Making a Decision
After reading through our
comprehensive guide to luxury vinyl floor tiles and laminate flooring, we hope
we have given you all the important information you need to make your decision!
Both flooring options offer style, practically and are low-cost, so you are
sure to be happy with either choice you make.
Whichever flooring you choose,
explore our full luxury vinyl and laminate flooring collections today and be
inspired by the many styles, shades and colours available.
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