Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank: Which Is Right for a Massachusetts Home?

Laminate has a core of high-density fiberboard, which is a wood product, topped with a printed image layer and a hard, clear wear layer. That core gives laminate a solid, rigid feel and good dent resistance.

Luxury vinyl plank is made of vinyl. Many current products have a rigid core of stone-plastic composite (SPC) or wood-plastic composite (WPC). Because there is no wood fiber in the core, the plank itself does not swell when it gets wet.

This is the biggest difference. Standing water that gets into laminate seams can swell the fiberboard core, and swollen laminate does not go back down. Newer water resistant laminates are better, but they still need spills wiped up.

Vinyl plank shrugs off spills and is the usual pick for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms and basements. Keep in mind that a waterproof plank does not stop water from getting under the floor, so a basement with real moisture problems still needs those addressed first.

Laminate tends to feel more like wood: firmer and slightly warmer. It can sound hollow or clicky without a good underlayment. Vinyl is a bit softer and quieter underfoot, though very thin vinyl can feel cheap and shows every bump in the subfloor.

In both cases the underlayment and the flatness of the subfloor make a big difference. A well prepared base is the cheapest way to make either floor feel better.

Laminate generally resists scratches very well thanks to its hard wear layer. Vinyl resists water and is easy to clean, but sharp claws and dragged furniture can mark softer vinyl. Thicker wear layers help with both materials.

For a busy family room with a dog, either can work. For a kitchen where water bowls get knocked over, vinyl is usually the safer bet.

Massachusetts goes from dry heated air in January to humid summers. Both floors expand and contract, which is why installers leave an expansion gap at the walls that is hidden under the baseboard. Rigid core vinyl is quite stable, and laminate is stable too as long as it is acclimated and the gap is respected.

Rooms with lots of direct sun, like a south facing sunroom, can be hard on some vinyl products. Check the manufacturer guidance for those spaces.

Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements: vinyl plank. Bedrooms, living rooms and upstairs hallways: either, and laminate is worth a look if you like a firmer feel. Rentals and high traffic units: vinyl is usually the low maintenance choice.

If you want one floor running through the whole level for a seamless look, vinyl plank is often the simplest answer because it works in the wet rooms too.

If you are in the Springfield, Worcester or Milford area and want a second opinion on your rooms, PG Solutions can look at the space and walk you through both options with samples before you buy.