Is Laminate More Scratch Resistant Than Luxury Vinyl Plank?
Posted by Mariruth on 14th Sep 2021
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When investing in flooring for your home, you want to ensure that you're getting something cost-effective that's going to last and that can stand up to the needs of your family. Of course, the flooring also needs to look good while being able to withstand the abuse your family will no doubt put it through. One of the decisions you might be trying to make for your new flooring may be between laminate flooring or luxury vinyl planks. You may find yourself asking: which option is best? Is laminate flooring scratch-resistant? Does luxury vinyl plank scratch? What is the best waterproof scratch-proof laminate flooring? For answers to these questions and many more, Georgia Carpet is here to help.
When comparing luxury vinyl and laminate flooring, you may notice that they are very similar products. With such similar traits and uses, it's hard to choose between laminate flooring or luxury vinyl planks. As you start your initial research on flooring, you may find that everything about laminate and vinyl starts to sound the same. That's where Georgia Carpet comes in with a helpful comparison.
Comparing Flooring Types
There are some similarities between these flooring options, including the fact that they come in styles that often mimic natural materials (wood, stone, etc.) while bringing the price point of synthetic, and they are both highly durable and made for active households. Select styles of both flooring options can be considered waterproof flooring or water-resistant flooring, so they're both great for all over the house. Waterproof laminate flooring can be used in kitchens and baths while luxury vinyl plank has always been a fan-favorite for wet areas of the home.
In addition, these two choices are an affordable alternative to hardwood without the required high maintenance of solid wood flooring. Anything from pets to children and spills can be easily handled when you pick either one of these flooring options. The easy maintenance also means your floors will look newer for longer, with less work and time out of your busy schedule.
If you find yourself asking, "Is vinyl flooring scratch resistant," "Does LVP scratch easily," or "does laminate flooring scratch," you'll be pleased to know that both of these options are designed to withstand pet claw marks, furniture drags, and whatever life throws at them. That being said, there are a lot of discussions on which one of these really is the best scratch-resistant flooring.
The Differences in These Flooring Options
Because both types of flooring are generally water-resistant, kid-friendly, and all-around durable, it is hard to differentiate whether laminate flooring or luxury vinyl flooring would work best for your household needs. The most important factor to determine this is the actual materials of the LVP, LVT and laminate. While they are both usually made up of 4 layers, the composition of these layers can vary and will greatly impact the performance.
In luxury vinyl flooring, the layers are plastic. Plastic planks can tear with too much weight being dragged across them and can eventually form dents from heavy furniture. They also are not quite as realistic as the wood-look options. However, luxury vinyl planks are more durable and sturdy to move from above and have nice high-definition visuals. Luxury vinyl planks are easy to install and are rather forgiving, making them a favorite for many.
On the other hand, laminate is a wood layered with a photographic plastic on top. This makes it stronger against long-term wear since it is not plastic all the way through. The plastic layer that goes around this middle wood layer mimics the look of real wood instead of a man-made rendering of how it should look. As a result, laminate products tend to look more like real wood than luxury vinyl plank products, because they're made from real wood. They also handle heavy loads better.
Choosing the Best Flooring Option for Your Family
After reviewing these closely related products, the question still remains: Is laminate more scratch-resistant than LVP? The answer is yes! Both hold up against general wear-and-tear, but in the long term, laminate flooring is typically more scratch-resistant and can be more easily repaired. There are many laminate floor scratch repair kit options available, so instead of replacing whole planks or tiles, you can do spot treatments as needed. This not only saves you money, but it also saves you time and the hassle of having to replace the scratched area.
Another aspect of laminate that adds to its high scratch resistance is its ability to be re-shined with specific products/cleaners, restoring its original luster and beauty.
When it comes to high-traffic homes and growing families, investing in the right flooring is essential. Laminate is both cost-effective and long-lasting, so it may be the best flooring option for your family. For all your discount laminate flooring needs, buy from Georgia Carpet Industries today! See us in-store and online at georgiacarpet.com.
