What’s the Difference Between Luxury Vinyl and Laminate Flooring?

When considering a new floor installation and researching popular flooring products and properties, you might be wondering what the difference is between luxury vinyl flooring covering and laminate flooring products.  It can be difficult to know which flooring is the best choice for your installation that will provide all the characteristics you desire and result in the best value for your investment.  There are many things to consider when deciding on the best flooring product for your room, knowing the difference between materials and their properties will help guide you in the right direction.

It can be difficult to know the difference between luxury vinyl and laminate flooring as advancements in manufacturing technology have closed the gap with significant improvements in both materials.  Both laminate and luxury vinyl are promoted as DIY friendly, budget friendly and durable with similarities in appearance with both materials coming in convincing replicas of natural wood planks or stone tiles.  While both materials have many similarities, they are quite different in composition and provide varying levels of protection against moisture.

Composition of Luxury Vinyl and Laminate Flooring

There are significant differences in the composition of the luxury vinyl compared to laminate flooring, with vinyl flooring made with 100% synthetic material.  Sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles may have a fiberglass base coated with PVC vinyl and a plasticizer, a printed surface layer on top covered with a protective polyurethane for a no-wax coating.  A closed foam lower layer provides some cushion for resilience.

Luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile is also manufactured with synthetic material although the core is a multi-layer PVC vinyl in thicker LVP planks or LVT tiles.  These luxury vinyl flooring products can be thinner than laminates with sheet vinyl as thin as 1.5 mm and LVP or LVT close to 5 mm.  Laminate flooring ranges in thickness from 6mm to 12mm, providing added durability in high traffic areas. 

Laminate flooring is similar to luxury vinyl with simple installation and appearance, although the difference in core composition is a critical consideration.  Laminate contains a core layer composed of rigid fiberboard made with wood byproducts and resins, and a hard plastic surface layer with the printed design.

Water Resistance of Luxury Vinyl and Laminate Flooring

Due to the fiberboard core of laminate flooring, nearly all laminate products are not waterproof therefore are not recommended for rooms exposed to moisture such as damp basements or bathrooms.  Flooring manufacturers offer some laminate products with a water resistance feature, although no laminate should be installed in rooms with exposure to standing water such as family bathrooms or basements.  Luxury vinyl may be the best choice for these flooring installations.

In addition to water resistance properties, other characteristics worth comparing include:

• Appearance  - Both luxury vinyl and laminate flooring manufacturing offer modern technology which produces remarkably realistic replicas of wood planks or stone tiles.
• Cost – Both products are comparable in cost with sheet vinyl typically offering the least expensive option of all materials.  Both luxury vinyl and laminate will come in less expensive than real hardwood or ceramic stone tile. 
• Installation – There is not much difference in the ease of installation with either product, both coming in glue down, floating or interlocking styles.

For more information on the differences in flooring materials, work with a reputable flooring company with experience and quality materials.  Consulting with a flooring specialist will ensure the best material is installed in your room to provide maximum value with your investment.

Great Western Flooring is an experienced flooring and tile specialist, pleasing customers with over 35 years of providing quality materials with professional installation.  We offer free design consultations at any one of our conveniently located design centers is Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles.  Contact us today to learn more about how to choose the best flooring product for your installation and the difference between luxury vinyl and laminate flooring. 

This article originally published at 
https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/whats-the-difference-between-luxury-vinyl-and-laminate-flooring/

Guide to Laminate Wood Plank Design Trends

Modern flooring technology offers consumers a wide selection of flooring products with laminate wood plank designs available in virtually any color, shade, pattern or style.  Updating your floor with modern laminate flooring will improve the value of your home while providing a fresh, new look.  There are many choices available in laminate flooring with realistic wood replicas in varying styles such as hand-scraped or reclaimed wood, providing a real wood look without the expense of real hardwood.

Laminate flooring provides homeowners with a realistic wood alternative for the look of real wood without the expense, tricky installation, upkeep and maintenance.  Laminate floors today offer homeowners the opportunity to install their dream floor with many affordable options in trendy designs to choose from.

Laminate Wood Plank Design Colors

Laminate flooring today is available in almost any color or shade desired, with homeowners having the choice of lighter wood colors such as whitewashed or a gray wood look or a combination of light to dark for greater contrast.  Laminate wood planks come in the following colors:

●       Whitewashed

●       Gray

●       Blonde

●       High Contrast

●       Honey

●       Dark brown to black

Appearance of Laminate Wood Planks

Laminate wood planks come in many designs with distressed wood replicas a popular choice trending in 2018.  Consumers now have more options with varying textures available for a wider selection than ever before.  Variations in appearances include:

●       Rustic or hand-scraped wood

●       Reclaimed wood

●       Distressed and weathered wood

●       Stone looks

Laminate Wood Plank Design Layouts and Patterns

Creating patterns with an eye catching flooring layout is popular for interior designers, with patterns continuing to trend in 2018.  With a wide selection of laminate patterns available some of the most popular laminate designs include:

●       Herringbone

●       Mixed width

●       Diagonal

●       Wide planks

Laminate wood planks are available with varying patterns and even textures with depths and grooves which resemble real wood.

Laminate Wood Plank Design

Laminate wood planks are available in nearly any type of wood look, in varying widths, design patterns, colors and shade.   Manufacturers are embracing new technology to develop laminate wood plank flooring with offers water resistance, although most laminate floors do not typically provide true waterproof protection. Check the properties of your materials and follow manufacturer recommendations for installations in rooms exposed to moisture.

Work with an experienced flooring company to learn more about laminate flooring products and properties, popular trends and how to choose the best flooring material for your installation.

Great Western Flooring provides more than 35 years of experience in pleasing customers with high quality flooring and tile products combined with professional installation.  We offer free design consultations at any of our design centers located in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  Contact us today to learn more about popular trends in laminate wood plank designs and for all your flooring and tile needs. 

This article was originally published at 
https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/guide-to-laminate-wood-plank-design-trends/

Vinyl Floor Tiles That Look Like Wood

Vinyl floor tiles that look like real wood is a popular choice for consumers looking for the realistic look of hardwood without the expense and upkeep.  Real hardwood provides a warm comforting look available in varying wood species, colors and shades.  Vinyl floor tiles available today provide the natural beauty of real hardwood in a more forgiving surface than hardwood.

Vinyl floor tiles that look like wood are available in realistic surface finishes which convincingly replicate virtually any wood species in varying colors and shades, including:

●       Oak

●       Walnut

●       Cherry

●       Barnwood

●       Reclaimed wood

●       Distressed wood

●       Whitewashed wood

Vinyl floor tiles provide the same rustic, classy look as hardwood but with a more comfortable surface underfoot.  Vinyl tiles provide comfort and resilience with a subtle cushion that can make a huge difference when standing for long periods of time.  Standing on hard stone tile or real hardwood which are both very rigid surfaces can create leg pain, strain and fatigue.  Vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles offer the same beautiful wood look with added comfort.

Vinyl Floor Cost Compared to Hardwood

Vinyl floor tiles compared to the cost of hardwood is a deciding factor for many consumers, with luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) providing an affordable real wood alternative.   In addition to a savings on material and installation, maintenance and upkeep of luxury vinyl is considerably less expensive and time consuming when compared to real wood.

Durability of Vinyl Floor Tiles that Look Like Wood

Vinyl floor tiles that look like wood provide pleasing visual aesthetics with durability and stability.  Real hardwood floors provide hardness for durability but require continual maintenance to maintain the protective polyurethane coating.  Vinyl tiles provide stability with materials that will hold their shape even with changes in climate and moisture.  Consider the climate and exposure to moisture when comparing vinyl tiles to real wood, as vinyl may be the best choice in rooms exposed to moisture.

Great Western Offers Vinyl Floor Tiles that Look Like Wood

Great Western Flooring offers a wide selection of quality flooring and tile products including luxury vinyl floor tiles that look like wood and real stone.  We can help you evaluate your flooring installation requirements, the environment and the properties of the best materials for your installation. We have over 35 years of experience as a leading flooring and tile company serving the Chicagoland area with quality products and professional installation. 

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring and tile company offering quality products with professional installation.  We provide complimentary design consultations from one of three conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  Stop by today or call to speak with a design specialist to learn the possibilities that vinyl flooring can offer and to find the best deals on vinyl floor tiles that look like wood. 

This article was originally posted at 
https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/vinyl-floor-tiles-that-look-like-wood/