Buyer Guide
Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank: How to Choose
Laminate vs luxury vinyl plank is the most common choice in a floor project today, because both look like wood, most of both install as floating click-lock floors, and both cost less than hardwood. They are built from very different materials, though, and that difference decides where each one belongs. This guide explains what each floor is, how they compare, and how to pick room by room.
What each floor is made of
Laminate is built on a dense fiberboard core. A high-resolution image layer gives it the look of wood, and a hard, clear wear layer on top protects it. Because the core is wood fiber, laminate feels firm and solid underfoot and resists dents and scratches very well. The fiberboard core is also why water is its traditional weakness: standing water that reaches the core can make it swell. Many newer laminates are built to resist water much better than older ones, so read the specific product's water rating.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is built from vinyl layers: a printed design layer under a clear wear layer, over a vinyl or rigid composite core. Because vinyl does not absorb water, LVP handles wet areas well. It is a little softer and warmer underfoot than laminate and quieter to walk on, especially with an attached pad.
Side by side
| Laminate | Luxury vinyl plank | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Dense fiberboard | Vinyl or rigid composite |
| Water | Varies by product; check its water rating | Core does not absorb water |
| Scratch and dent | Very hard wearing surface | Good; can dent under heavy point loads |
| Feel | Firm, closest to hardwood | Slightly softer and warmer |
| Sound | Can sound hollow without good underlayment | Generally quieter |
| Look | Deep, realistic wood textures | Wide range of wood and stone looks |
Where laminate shines
Laminate is at its best in dry, high-traffic rooms: living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and home offices. Its hard wear layer shrugs off chair legs, pet claws and grit, and its firm core gives the solid feel many people want from a wood floor. The best laminates carry deep embossed textures that follow the grain, so the floor looks convincing up close. In our range, the Mohawk laminates carry textured surfaces and edge details designed to read like real planks; the Eden Springs plank, for example, is 12 mm thick and 8.34 inches wide.
Where LVP shines
LVP is the natural choice wherever water is part of daily life: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms and basements. It also suits whole-home installations in busy households, because one floor can run from the entry through the kitchen and into the bathroom without a change of material. Its softer surface is kinder underfoot for people who stand for long periods, and quieter in upstairs rooms.
Room by room
| Room | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living room, bedroom | Either; laminate for the firmest feel | Dry rooms where durability and look lead |
| Kitchen | LVP, or a water-resistant laminate | Spills and mopping |
| Bathroom, laundry | LVP | Standing water and humidity |
| Basement | LVP | Moisture from the slab |
| Hallway, entry | Either | Traffic; choose a strong wear layer |
Installation
Laminate installs as a floating floor: click-locking planks over a flat, clean subfloor, with an expansion gap at the walls finished with trim. Luxury vinyl comes in two installation types. Rigid core vinyl plank, such as the MSI Laurel, Laurel Reserve and Andover lines, also floats with a click-lock joint. Dryback vinyl is a thinner, flexible plank that is glued down to the subfloor, such as the MSI Katavia line. Laminate usually needs an underlayment for sound and a moisture barrier over concrete, unless the plank has one attached; many rigid core planks have a pad attached. Check the installation method on the product before you plan the job, and follow its instructions, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Cost and value over time
Laminate and luxury vinyl plank sit in a similar price band, and both cost less than most hardwood. Within each category, price follows construction: a thicker plank, a stronger wear layer, an attached pad, and better texturing all add cost and years of use. Compare products by their specifications rather than by the category name, and think about the total installed cost, including underlayment, trim and any subfloor preparation. A slightly more expensive plank that suits the room will outlast a cheaper one used where it does not belong, such as a laminate without a water rating in a busy family bathroom.
Before you order
Order samples of both and live with them for a few days in the actual room. Drop a set of keys on each, wipe a spill, and walk on them in socks and shoes. Check each plank's wear layer, water rating and whether it has an attached pad, and confirm the subfloor is flat enough for a floating floor. Order the matching trim at the same time as the planks so the color matches, and add the waste allowance the installation calls for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laminate or vinyl plank better?
Neither is better everywhere. Laminate is excellent in dry, high-traffic rooms and feels closest to hardwood; vinyl plank is the stronger choice anywhere water is involved, such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Is laminate waterproof?
Traditional laminate is not, because its fiberboard core can swell if water reaches it. Many newer laminates resist water much better, so check the water rating of the specific product before using it in a kitchen or bathroom.
Which is more scratch resistant, laminate or LVP?
Laminate's hard wear layer is generally very resistant to scratches. Quality LVP also resists scratches well, but it can dent under heavy point loads such as furniture legs.
Which is quieter underfoot?
Vinyl plank is generally quieter, especially with an attached pad. Laminate can sound hollow unless it is installed over a good underlayment.
Can I use laminate in a basement?
Vinyl plank is usually the safer choice in a basement, because moisture from the concrete slab can affect a fiberboard core. If you prefer laminate, choose a water-resistant product and follow its moisture barrier instructions.
To take this from reading to ordering, browse laminate flooring and luxury vinyl plank at Citadel Spaces, and size the order with the flooring and tile coverage calculator.
From the guide
Shop the floors in this guide
