When you’re renovating your home, the floors can make all the difference (insert pun about it being a foundational part of the décor). But seriously, it’s easy to underestimate the power of what’s under our feet. While we might not be looking down all the time, the choice of flooring can have a tangible impact on our perception of an interior, both space-wise and in terms of the general ambience. Add lifespan, durability and even sound and/or heat insulating qualities into the mix, and the decision feels all the more important. Hence why we’re entering the vinyl vs. hardwood vs. laminate debate.
Yes, those paralysed by decision fatigue can take a deep breath of relief. In this guide, we’re sharing what makes the materials in this flooring trio distinct, when you might want to invest in each, and, of course, breaking down their characteristics side by side to help you make an informed choice.
At A Glance: Vinyl vs. Hardwood Flooring vs Laminate
Before we get into the nitty gritty, here is a simplified overview of the key points of comparison.
| Vinyl | Hardwood Flooring | Laminate | |
| Composition | Standard PVC planks, self-adhesive tiles, or flexible composite sheeting. | Planks made from solid wood, or engineered wood with a real wood veneer. | Multi-layered boards made from melamine resin and fibreboard. |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 30 years (engineered) to 100 (real solid wood) | 15 years |
| Durability | Withstands great wear and tear, thanks to flexibility and depth. Generally, stain and scratch resistant. | Engineered wood is more resistant to scratching over real wood, but both are very durable and can be refinished. | Less durable and vulnerable to moisture, so not as suited to high footfall or damper rooms. |
| Aesthetic | Wide variety of styles and colours and slightly more realistic wood and stone looks than laminate. | Timeless appeal and looks that develop and gain character with age. | Less realistic mimicry of real wood than vinyl, but great variety of designs and patterns. |
| Installation | Self-adhesive, thus, easy to DIY. | Professional installation is required for the best job. | Beginner-friendly installation. |
| Cost | ££ | £££ | £ |
| Stand-out features | Sheet vinyl is 100% moisture resistant & all varieties are underfloor heating compatible. | Enhances property value, very sought-after. | Underfloor heating compatible. |
Why Your Flooring Matters
Now we’ve dipped our toes into the main attributes of laminate vs. vinyl vs. hardwood flooring, let’s dig a little deeper into why exactly this matters. Spoilers: these attributes go beyond your day-to-day experience in your newly refurbished interior, also impacting your home in the long run. To name a few:
- The flooring choice can both add and detract value from your property.
- Some are easier to DIY, while others might call for the helping hand of a local flooring fitter.
- Certain materials have a longer lifespan, so make better choices in terms of cost-effectiveness.
- More insulating flooring types can contribute to heat retention.
- Each option has pros and cons and might be suited to a particular use case – for instance, laminate is the most vulnerable to moisture of the three.
Essential Considerations
Your choice between vinyl, hardwood flooring, vs. laminate is far from arbitrary, especially when budget is concerned. For first-time buyers, this might even be your biggest home improvement purchase to date, which makes mulling over your must-haves and nice-to-haves more crucial than ever. To simplify this process, peruse the list below and make note of your personal sticking points.
- Location and traffic levels: Consider the level of durability required.
- Moisture and ventilation: Think bathrooms and kitchens.
- Lifestyle: Do you have pets and need an extra scratch-resistant floor?
- Maintenance: Are you willing to take extra steps to clean and preserve your flooring?
- Budget and cost: Factor in both the initial spend on materials and any installation fees, plus long-term maintenance.
- Installation: Are you happy to DIY, or is a professional installation on the cards?
- Longevity: The material, its thickness and cost often correlate with lifespan.
- Design options and aesthetic: This is pretty self-explanatory, but don’t forget to browse samples and factor in the overall style of your home.
With the preliminaries out of the way, we can now get to grips with the unique characteristics of each of the three flooring types, filling in any of the gaps you may have in your knowledge. You’ll be a pro by the end of this, trust us.
What’s Vinyl Flooring?
Design & Composition
Standard vinyl can break down into a number of subcategories: sheet vinyl, self-adhesive vinyl tiles or tongue-and-groove vinyl planks. Each of these options shares a high level of performance and similar qualities in terms of longevity, endurance and versatility, often the choice coming down to installation type.
Sheet vinyl, sometimes called linoleum, does a stellar job of emulating the texture of real wood in one seamless piece, is resilient to use and has insulating qualities, while vinyl planks and tiles are all of this and more – yes, they’re even more durable.
Lifespan & Durability
Guaranteeing you 10 years of solid performance (if you look after it right), vinyl flooring is among the best choices for pet owners. Owing to its ability to withstand everything hectic daily life throws its way – scratchy claws and paint-covered hands included – many first-time buyers and families swear by this material. The cherry on top? Sheet vinyl is 100% impermeable to water, while the tiles aren’t too far behind.
Installation & Cost
One of the many draws of vinyl flooring, both sheet and tile varieties, is its affordable price. While not quite as cheap as laminate, it certainly makes up for it with enhanced longevity and suitability to high-traffic environments.
As long as you’ve a steady hand and a good eye, it should be no problem for beginners to install vinyl floors. Thanks to the proliferation of click-lock vinyl planks, it’s possible to DIY the installation without sweating it. This said, sheet vinyl flooring takes a bit more effort in the form of concise measuring and adhesive application, so you might want to call in the experts here.
Standout Features
Effortlessly simple to maintain, vinyl flooring only takes a bit of sweeping, hoovering or a damp mop to keep it spick and span. Another major plus is that it’s so readily available in a spectrum of diverse styles, thicknesses and textures – that’s customisation if we ever saw it!
What’s Hardwood Flooring?
Design & Composition
Hardwood flooring typically refers to real solid wood planks or engineered wood planks. The latter is made up of layers of wood or wood-based composite, which have been laminated together for additional strength and impact resistance. Often, both come with tongue-and-groove edges for easier installation.
As you can imagine, the pair have the most sought-after looks; a timeless appeal that patinas beautifully with age and builds character thanks to its unique graining. Truly, these floors are one of a kind.
Lifespan & Durability
Hardwood floors can last a minimum of 30 years, meaning that replacement and the costs attached need not be a worry once your new floor has been installed. Withstanding high levels of foot traffic, they’re known for enhancing property value – sometimes with an ROI of up to 118%. Do note that both are slightly vulnerable to water, so take care to dry up any spills asap.
Installation & Cost
By far the most expensive option, hardwood floors cost a pretty penny; that said, though, the upfront cost is usually worth it since their longevity is practically unmatched. In the arena of installation, they are also a bit more of a hassle as you might require a nail-down method to get it secured.
Standout Features
Their beautiful, natural appearance is hard to beat, but get this: you can also refinish them if the surface does end up becoming scratched or discoloured.
What’s Laminate?
Design & Composition
The last of our trio, laminate flooring, is a multi-layered synthetic floor covering typically made up of a melamine resin core surrounded by fibreboard layers. It gets its name from the lamination process responsible for fusing each of the layers together.
Lifespan & Durability
Laminate typically lasts for around 15 years, provided you look after it properly. Because it’s less resistant to moisture and considerably lower-wear than the previous options, care must be taken to prevent unwanted damage. The simplest trick is to avoid fitting the material in kitchens, bathrooms or otherwise damp, high-traffic conditions. Also, make sure to keep it clean! Over time, dust, sand and debris particles can scratch the surface, ruining its neat appearance.
Installation & Cost
Laminate has grown in popularity in part due to its easy installation and more accessible price tag. Perhaps one of the most DIY-friendly flooring materials, laminate is typically installed via a tongue and groove “clicking” method as a floating floor. This means that the planks sit atop the subfloor, held in place by the interlocking structure of the boards rather than being directly attached. You can also purchase planks with a glue backing for an even more straightforward installation.
Standout Features
Laminate is a uniquely budget-friendly, cost-effective option, as long as you care for it properly. With 15 years of use, you can enjoy a cheaper upfront cost, simple installation and a more natural feel underfoot. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that its appearance is often a pull for homeowners looking for a convincing imitation of real wood.
Do note, however, that cheap varieties can make it more difficult to sell your home when the time comes to putting it on the market.
Find Your Glass Slipper
And that’s a wrap on vinyl vs. hardwood flooring vs. laminate. As we’ve revealed, the most meaningful differences lie in their versatility, resistance to water and wear-and-tear, plus their cost-effectiveness. Wherever you stand in the flooring debate, this trio can offer a wonderful balance between functionality and style – the main thing is finding a snug fit for your priorities.
