Buying the right floor for your home is not an easy task and reading though a laminate flooring comparison is essential. There are many options you may be interested in and before you make that final decision, it is important to know all about each of your options.
There are several options, and price is not the only aspect to consider. We understand that your decision about new flooring should be done with consideration of many factors like: color, style, durability, easiness of installation and maintenance as well as health factors and finally the price. We are determined to make sure you get the right floor for your situation.
That is why we have created this comparison guide- you can see the advantages and disadvantages of each type of the floor; from laminate flooring to carpet. We would like to help you to make an educated decision. Read our summary comparison of laminate flooring vs other floors.
| Laminate Flooring | Solid Wood | Vinyl | Ceramic Tile | Carpet | |
| Fading | Will not fade, UV resistant | Can fade in direct sunlight, leaving outlines of rugs and furniture | Yellows can fade in direct sunlight | Fading resistance | Can fade in direct sunlight |
| Wear | Will not wear through | Can show wear in high traffic areas | Less expensive types wear easily, show extensive wear in high traffic areas | Will not wear through | Shows wear in high traffic areas |
| Stains | Will not stain, chemical resistant- use acetone to remove hard to remove spots | Stains easily | Is subjective to stains | Grout stains easily | Stains very easily |
| Burn resistance | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Dent/Scratch Resistance | Dent, scratch and chip resistant | Dents common with high heels and heavy furniture, can scratch easily | Dents can be common with heavy furniture and appliances | Dent, scratch resistant. Can chip and crack | Flattening under furniture |
| Moisture | Moisture resistant if cared properly | Can wrap from excessive moisture exposure | Moisture resistant | Moisture resistant | Sensitive to moisture. Moisture can be trapped underneath. Impractical to use in kitchen and bathroom. |
| Care | Easy care, low maintenance, surface does not hold dirt and no polish or refinish is needed. | Requires sporadic polishing, sanding and refinishing. | Easy care, must be replaced often | Easy. Hard to clean grout. | Cleaning is not removing all the dust and allergens. Sporadic professional cleaning service. |
| Health factor | Allergen free | Allergen free | Chemical ingredients can trigger allergy reactions. Not recommended for people with allergies | Allergen free | Traps dirt and dust – not recommended for people with allergies |
| Installation | Easy, DIY friendly and not special sub-floor preparation needed | Complicated , in most cases is done by experienced hardwood installer. Very expensive. | Self stick are DIY friendly. Sheet vinyl in most cases is installed by experienced floor installer. | Professional installation. When installing over wood sub-floor, special preparation is needed. Very Expensive. | Professional installation |
| Cost | $-$$$ | $$$-$$$$ | $-$$$ | $$-$$$$ | $-$$$ |
Learn More:
- Reasons to Choose Laminate Flooring Over Hardwood Flooring
- The Ultimate Guide to Laminate Flooring Underlayment
- Is Laminate Flooring Good for Bedrooms?
