Flooring is one of the major parts of your building/house projects. You have to look at several factors, and there can be different flooring options in different rooms and areas. One popular choice among flooring solutions, is hard wood flooring. While that can be expensive, it's no doubt a great thing for the long term.
But of course, there are more budget-friendly options out there. The most confusing choice among them all, is whether to go for Vinyl or for Laminate. They both cost lesser, while retaining the premium look of hard wood. Being made from different materials however, they will always have their ups and downs.
So today, at MBT we'll walk you through these two, and hopefully help you make a more informed decision. Let's first discuss what these materials are:
Vinyl
Vinyl Flooring is a popular alternative to hardwood. It's quite resistant to moisture. High humidity areas greatly benefit from having vinyl floors installed. Luxury Vinyl is made of several layers of resilient polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Coated with urethane, this comes in two different types:
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Sometimes shortened to LVT, these tiles are great for the imitation of different materials. They offer a range of installion, from being glued down to floating to loose laying. They come in many different sizes, so they can take the appearance of various flooring solutions.
Luxury Vinyl Planks
These are also an attractive luxury vinyl variant. Vinyl planks are also referred to, as LVP. These too easily mimic the look of a natural wooden floor, with additional details. You can also install these with the same methods mentioned above; Loose lay, Glued Down, Floating.
Laminate
Laminates are also a a suitable alternative to hardwood flooring. There are planks made of numerous high-density fiberboards, laminated together. This isn't a great option for high-moisture areas. But some laminate variants do come with water-resistance. With proper care, this can help deter water damage. Laminates are made with the by products of wood, and they too provide a appealing authentic wooden floor appearance. As for installation, these can be both; glued down, and float.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl
Now lets's first discuss the pros and cons of Vinyl flooring:
Pros
Vinyl is quite easy to install. As mentioned earlier, these can easily be install it in three different ways. Whether on a subfloor or afloat, this is quite easy to put together. Then there's the price. You save a lot when you go for vinyl over hardwood. Keeps your pocket heavy. Add with that, the variety of designs and textures that you get. It can mimic different materials and flooring solutions, like wood, stone, and marble. Adding to that, they're also easy to maintain and clean. So, there isn't a lot that goes into their maintenance either.
But perhaps the biggest advantage you get with vinyl, is durability. These will last you long, with a little bit of maintenance. Some types of vinyl flooring are also waterproof. So they're quite suitable even for highly humid areas. This little bit also gives it an even bigger edge over laminates.
Cons
Perhaps the biggest problem with vinyl is its price. Yes, it was mentioned as a cheaper alternative. It actually is cheaper than regular hardwood. However the cost is relatively higher than laminate floors. It's durability covers that cost for you, over time. But that's definitely a factor you might be interested to know.
Pros and Cons of Laminates
Now let's get to the pros and cons of laminates:
Pros
Laminates too, are easy to install. The same methods of installation, as described above. One distinguising feature of laminate flooring, is comfort. They feel better to stand on, and walk. More over, they're made of wood by products. So they also feel warmer. This gives it an even better resemblance to real hardwood floors. There's an abundance of designs that come with laminates, as well. They can also be given the appearance of stone, and bamboo. This variety also gives them an appeal, in the eyes of consumers. Then there's the price. They're considerably cheaper than hardwood, and even vinyl. This makes it the most budget-friendly option among the three.
But perhaps the biggest feature of laminates, is that they tend to give a better wooden appearance. The resemblance is much similar to wood, and more attractive. These realistic wooden textures and patterns, make it look even more elegant.
Cons
The one major disadvantage you get with laminates, is durability. While some types may be water resistant, they're not completely prone to water damage either. If left neglected, even those will cause problems. This is the one issue, where laminates underperform against vinyl. They don't last as long as vinyl. The price is also quite lower however, so that does make up for your loss. But if you want longer term use with one time installation, then you should consider this well.
Conclusion
So how do we end the debate? Vinyl or Laminates. We say they both have their unique applications. But which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments. If this was to be wrapped up in a few sentences, we recommend vinyl for:
- Higher Durability
- Water resistance
And laminates for:
- Better Wooden textures
- Budget-Friendliness
In the end, it's your choice. If you know what your requirements and budget are, you can easily decide between them. But if you still have any issues deciding, do contact us for more info. We'll be happy to guide you through your entire project plan. Expert help always tends to get better results.
Where to get these services from?
We appreciate your presence here, on MBT’s blog. Since you’re still here, we assume you need to acquire such flooring services too. If you’re actually here just for a quick read, that’s all good too. But if you are looking for the services, that’s even better.
Where are you located?
It all depends on your location. Based on where you live, you can ask around. Do your research, about where you can go for worthwhile local services. Around the globe, you’ll find many trustworthy and reliable service providers.
Flooring Solutions in Dubai
If you’re somewhere in the Emirates (/UAE) or nearby however, Habibi you’re in luck! You needn’t go anywhere else.
Why? Cause MBT is located right here in Dubai. That’s right. We offer all kinds of flooring solutions, in the UAE. Plus, we do have many other things going.
Why you should work with MBT
MBT has already worked with various reputable organizations. We've done many projects in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia. So, you know you can trust us with your work. No sweat.
MBT’s Ample Collection Of Past Projects
We welcome you to click here, to browse through our previous projects on flooring solutions, and more.
MBT deals with more flooring solutions and also with armstrong, bioclad, forbo, gerflor, polyflor, responsive, carpet land and other brands.
Furthermore, MBT's luxury vinyl tile creates stunning floors. We design them to look like hardwood or stone. They're built to endure the busiest lifestyles. This make them a viable solution for kitchens, baths, basements, and beyond.
We're also one of the best skirting suppliers in the market. We offer numerous varieties of skirtings. They easily provide an aesthetic appearance, and satisfy every client's architectural design.
We also offer the following flooring solutions in the UAE:
| • Vinyl / Linoleum Flooring • Parquets / Wood Composite • Carpets Tiles • Polyurethane based flooring • Rubber Flooring • PVC Flooring • WPC Decking |
Reach Out to Us:
Contact us here, to acquire our services. Or browse a few more articles here
Let us know what you think
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