Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring | Everything you need to know!

Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring | Everything you need to know!

Laminate and luxury vinyl flooring are two of the most popular flooring options in residential construction. In this video, we’re going to look at how they are made, their main differences as well as their pros and cons.

Link to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/Belinda_Carr

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:16 Laminate flooring
2:40 Luxury vinyl flooring
5:08 Sponsored
5:50 Differences
7:03 Installation
9:26 Conclusion

Laminate flooring consists of several layers fused together under high heat and pressure.
– The underlayment can be cork or foam. It acts as a vapor barrier, absorbs impact, evens out any surface irregularities, and distributes moisture away from the bottom layer of the flooring.
– The bottom layer is a melamine or paper backer that provides foundation and water resistance.
– The core layer is the most important and largest part of the flooring. It is made of MDF or medium density fiberboard or HDF which is high density fiberboard.
– The pattern layer. It is created using a high resolution 3D photograph of real, natural wood grain.
– The topcoat or wear layer which is a mixture of aluminum oxide powder, melamine and urethane.

Now let’s look at how luxury vinyl planks are made. Vinyl or polyvinyl chloride or PVC was developed in Akron, Ohio in 1926 by blending it with various additives. It soon became the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic. The basic raw materials for PVC are derived from salt and oil. Electrolysis of salt water produces chlorine. Chlorine is then combined with ethylene that has been obtained from oil. The resulting element is ethylene dichloride, which is converted at very high temperatures to vinyl chloride monomer. These monomer molecules are polymerized forming polyvinyl chloride resin.

The layers of luxury vinyl flooring are similar to those of laminate flooring.
– The underlayment can be cork or foam. It evens out any subsurface irregularities.
– The bottom layer or backing can be made of rigid fiberglass.
– The core layer provides structure. It can either be SPC or stone plastic composite which is made of calcium carbonate, PVC and plasticizers or WPC or wood plastic composite which is made of a PVC mixture and wood flour.
– The pattern layer is a high resolution digital image of wood, stone or tile.
– The topcoat or wear layer is a clear, urethane based coating that makes the floor scratch and stain resistant.

Ease of use – They are both DIY friendly and affordable with an easy click and lock assembly. The tongue of one plank is fitted into the groove of another at an angle and folded down. This draws the boards together.
Acclimate – Laminate flooring needs to acclimate to the inside of a home for at least 48 hours before installation. It has to get used to the new temperature and humidity levels to avoid expansion or contraction. Vinyl flooring doesn’t need to acclimate at all.
Tools – Laminate flooring is cut with a circular saw or table saw. Luxury vinyl can be scored with a utility knife, bent back and snapped into two. It can also be cut with a circular saw or table saw.
Scratch resistance – The scratch resistance of laminate flooring depends on the thickness of the top layer and ac rating, which we discussed earlier. Luxury vinyl shows better scratch resistance.
Water resistance – Water puddled on the surface of this laminate flooring and did not penetrate the top coat. Luxury vinyl showed the same water resistance.

Uses – New, water resistant laminate flooring can be installed anywhere in a building, but flooring that isn’t water resistant shouldn’t be used in bathrooms, mudrooms or kitchens. Luxury vinyl is waterproof and can be installed anywhere.
Fire resistance – The foam underlayment on laminate caught on fire easily and melted away. The MDF core charred but didn’t burn. Vinyl flooring melted and gave off very strong fumes.
Health concerns – They also use phenol formaldehyde resins and glues that off-gas. In high concentrations, this can be a serious health concern.
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#laminate #vinyl #flooring #diy #luxuryvinyl

50 Comments

  1. Kamala Specht on September 23, 2022 at 6:22 am

    Thank you so much for this great video. I’m in the market, but I can’t do the VOCs since I’m sensitive and also do yoga daily. On to acquiring more knowledge before making a good decision. I’m checking Hempwood.

  2. James Cunningham on September 23, 2022 at 6:23 am

    Excellent video! Love the technical details. I’ve lived with both products for years. Vinyl is more resilient in everyday residential use with family and pets. Laminate can scratch, chip and peel given years of living. All the best and continued success to you!

  3. Panda Digital Love on September 23, 2022 at 6:24 am

    Bamboo is the way to go. Cheap and natural vs chemicals in laminate that’ll eventually leech out. You are stepping bare feet / sweat acidic all the time. Scratch or wrap, then buff away, it’s solid bamboo.

  4. Carl Thornton on September 23, 2022 at 6:25 am

    Very Good!… #623 ✝ {9-22-2022}

  5. Cesar M on September 23, 2022 at 6:26 am

    Just stumbled onto your channel and had to comment; I’m blown away by the breadth, quality of information and presentation of you video. You’re a real pro at this.

  6. Cerebral Kaos on September 23, 2022 at 6:26 am

    Great comparison!

  7. ExultantTJ on September 23, 2022 at 6:30 am

    Which is better in case of termites?

  8. Neilton Pereira on September 23, 2022 at 6:31 am

    WOW..you are simply the Best!! So much details in your review. Thanks a lot!!

  9. Louis Williams on September 23, 2022 at 6:32 am

    Great job young lady !

  10. Shane Smith on September 23, 2022 at 6:33 am

    Thank you for this very informative video Belinda. Can you comment on how each flooring would perform with hydronic heating pipes embedded in the concrete underneath it?

  11. Jacob Kear on September 23, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Plastic will make you sick

  12. Sandhya Chaugule on September 23, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Which is more warmer compared to ceramics..

  13. Hammad Shabbir on September 23, 2022 at 6:34 am

    check this video to get more information about Best Office Flooring Ideas In 2022? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLL8MgZX7t4&t=148s

  14. seneca on September 23, 2022 at 6:37 am

    I installed Mohawk water resistant laminate flooring in 4 bedrooms and a hallway. Got it cheap feom Costco . Before I installed it, I placed half of plank in a bucket of water and let it sit there for half a day. I removed it and let it sit for a day. It was absolutely untouched. I could not tell where it has been immersed in the water. I also put 2 planks together and put water on them overnight. Checked them in the morning and all looked perfect . Zero damage. I also took the scratchiest chair and sat on it and tried for scratch the heck out of it on purpose and could not make 1 scratch on that floor. So, Mohawk laminate is super strong and it’s way more than water resistant .

  15. Shiv Sundar on September 23, 2022 at 6:37 am

    Thank you for amazing detailed information on the Vinyl flooring. I Have moved into a new home with a vinyl fitted in the floor. I hear a lot of cracking sound walking on them. Are these normal or this is a defect while it was fixed. Is there a solution to this?

  16. Don cc on September 23, 2022 at 6:38 am

    Thanks
    Is Smartcore vinyl plank?

  17. Hammad Shabbir on September 23, 2022 at 6:40 am

    check this video to get more information about Best Office Flooring Ideas In 2022? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLL8MgZX7t4&t=148s

  18. Tony C on September 23, 2022 at 6:41 am

    Hi ,thanks for great and informative video! Luxury laminate planks 12mm 20mm or 28mm recommend? I just purchased luxury laminate and they are only 7.5mm thick.. It was actually thickest they have at HD .. All others was about 4 or 5mm. do you think 7.5mm with be good enough for residential install on 1st floor. I was looking for thicker but they don’t have it. only laminate was 8 10 or 12mm. Thank you

  19. Diann Bruce on September 23, 2022 at 6:41 am

    I like lamenite flooring ,but how does it compare to linoleum?

  20. francis osei on September 23, 2022 at 6:44 am

    Which one is good for African or hot temperatures?

  21. Saish Prabhudesai on September 23, 2022 at 6:45 am

    Best information… Just point to point

  22. Netaverse on September 23, 2022 at 6:49 am

    My go to for unbiased, informed product reviews. I always learn so much and your approach is effortless. Feels like learning from a friend 💯 thanks Belinda 🙏🏿 you should be at 300k followers!!!

  23. Anona Gasca on September 23, 2022 at 6:50 am

    Thank you so much for sharing useful information on laminate and vinyl flooring. This will come in handy when I choose flooring material on our upcoming home improvement project. 🙂

  24. Padwan Mogme on September 23, 2022 at 6:51 am

    We installed ceramic tile everywhere except for the two bedrooms. It was cheaper than the other flooring and looks amazing. We love our floor!

  25. William Wade on September 23, 2022 at 6:51 am

    5 to 10 years if you have kids destroying your house and whatever you do don’t glue it down because removal will take three times as long.

  26. phase_ish on September 23, 2022 at 6:52 am

    amazing video

  27. jayowhy dee on September 23, 2022 at 6:55 am

    Useful information but yet not sure whether Vinyl or Laminate flooring is better.

  28. Dr. PDB on September 23, 2022 at 6:56 am

    Your presentation is just outstanding ! Such level of detail no one has given ! God bless you, I subscribed. Good luck

  29. M V on September 23, 2022 at 6:58 am

    YTU. YouTube University. Thank you for your time and teaching. Much Appreciated 🙏🏾

  30. Belinda Carr on September 23, 2022 at 6:58 am

    If you’re looking for a gorgeous, natural flooring product that doesn’t off-gas, check out HempWood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qy6awPeric

  31. Karl Rod on September 23, 2022 at 6:59 am

    That was a lovely video. Very nice explaining the difference.

  32. Ty Cox on September 23, 2022 at 7:00 am

    I’m unimpressed that both products have a life expectancy of only 10–20 years! Solid hardwood flooring can outlast generations of occupants.

  33. L Luther on September 23, 2022 at 7:01 am

    The most comprehensive and non biased reviews I have found about construction projects. Thank you!

  34. DeanoP on September 23, 2022 at 7:01 am

    I just enjoy the videos even if it’s about something I don’t really need to know about, oh look an X vs Y video or a clip on the difference be A and B, still got to watch it.

  35. Brian Maponga on September 23, 2022 at 7:01 am

    Great detailed video. Thank You

  36. Sabrina L on September 23, 2022 at 7:01 am

    Amazing video!!so comprehensive and easy to learn

  37. Gary Arnold on September 23, 2022 at 7:03 am

    To much info, next!

  38. ikbenvoetbal on September 23, 2022 at 7:06 am

    I came to see if I should go with vinyl or laminate in my next home diy project. I ended up learning chemical equations

  39. Robert Williams on September 23, 2022 at 7:08 am

    Pergo is fine except for moisture. Vinyl is the way to go.

  40. Jacob Kear on September 23, 2022 at 7:11 am

    Excellent job

  41. Jacob Kear on September 23, 2022 at 7:13 am

    Laminate is the best

  42. Mark Richards on September 23, 2022 at 7:13 am

    I recently had hardwood floors ruined by water damage, replaced them with luxury vinyl planks. Ease of installation and care were what sold me on vinyl. I don’t care for Laminate. My parents put Laminate flooring in their condo. The edges of the planks started to chip after a few years. We have had vinyl planks at work for 4 years now. They really hold up well. I live in NYC and the floors take a beating in our climate and heavy traffic.

  43. TruthAloneTriumphs on September 23, 2022 at 7:13 am

    Your looks and accent are so Indian 😂 (Asian Indian). I can’t get over it.

  44. slpip on September 23, 2022 at 7:19 am

    Don’t waste money on CHEAP vinyl plank flooring. Cheap vinyl planks make a large gap between planks. Must buy planks with "click lock" disregard the cost of the planks.

  45. President Evil on September 23, 2022 at 7:21 am

    thanks a millions Ms.Belinda, i didn’t know and can’t decide laminated or vinyl for my floor but i do now, God Bless and keep up a good work.

  46. Terry Smith on September 23, 2022 at 7:21 am

    LVP definitely does need to acclimate

  47. Renee on September 23, 2022 at 7:21 am

    Is luxury vinyl the same as hybrid flooring?

  48. sissy murphy on September 23, 2022 at 7:21 am

    i HAD LAMINATE AND IT SUCKED AND TEAR IT UP AND PUT DOWN VINYL PLANKS . The laminate was put in by so called flooring experts . I took it up donated it and put down myself vinyl plank and love the vinyl plank . Easy to cut and easy to install . Laminate hard to cut dusty to cut and dust from it dangerous to inhale . Unless you buy a laminate snap cutter which is not easy either and expensive to buy , if ou can find a rental center it would be cheaper

  49. Tile the World on September 23, 2022 at 7:22 am

    LVP all the way, but I am biased. Great information as always.

  50. John jacobjingle on September 23, 2022 at 7:22 am

    I swear belindas voice is irritating…Cant listen anymore

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