There are many ways to get the look you love for your flooring without spending money on genuine hardwood or tile. Learn the differences between laminate, vinyl, and engineered hardwood floors to help you make a decision about which is right for you.

Laminate vs Vinyl vs Engineered Hardwood Floors

Laminate

Pros

• Variety. You can find laminate flooring that looks like tile or hardwood and has different patterns. There’s something for everyone and every style!
• Cost. Laminate tends to be a cost-effective flooring solution that is less expensive than choosing tile or hardwood.
• Easy care. Tile and hardwood have rigid cleaning standards. Laminate, however, tends to be a little easier to clean.
• Easier installation. You can likely DIY your laminate floor installation unlike other options that require special tools and training.

Cons

• Shorter life. Expect your laminate flooring to last anywhere between 15 to 25 years, depending on how you care for it. For comparison, tile is expected to last 50 years, and hardwood may start to fade after 25 years but can last 100 if installed correctly.
• Sensitivity to moisture. While durable, one of the cons of laminate flooring is that is it susceptible to moisture damage and shouldn’t be installed without a moisture barrier in spaces like laundry rooms and bathrooms.
• It can’t be refinished. Unlike hardwood, once your laminate flooring fades or breaks, it needs to be replaced instead of refinished.

Vinyl

Pros

• Versatility. No matter what look you have in mind, you can likely find vinyl flooring to suit your tastes.
• Resiliency. Vinyl is known for being easy to care for because it’s low-maintenance, cost-effective, water-resistant, and has a long life.
• Comfort. Vinyl is the ideal balance of hard and soft on your feet. It’s not nearly as hard as tile or hardwood, but it’s certainly not squishy.

Cons

• They’re tough to say goodbye to. Vinyl might be easy to install, but it is certainly difficult to take out! Because of the glue used, you’ll need to put some major elbow grease behind removal if you decide to switch up your floors someday.
• Quality varies between brands. All of the pros make vinyl sound wonderful! However, like many things, there are different levels of quality. If you want to be able to enjoy the benefits of vinyl, you are better off going with a higher quality choice.

Engineered Hardwood Floors

Pros

• The look of hardwood without hardwood. Hardwood flooring is perhaps one of the most charming options for your home. However, it is also one of the most sensitive of all. Engineered hardwood is more resilient so you get the look without the drawbacks.
• It’s more moisture-resistant than hardwood. Hardwood floors are extremely sensitive to water. Engineered hardwood flooring blocks moisture and is more resilient.
• It doesn’t warp. Unlike traditional hardwood floors, engineered hardwood doesn’t warp or swell with temperature change.

Cons

• It’s still expensive. Don’t choose engineered hardwood floors for cost savings! It’s more expensive than other engineered options like vinyl and laminate.
• It won’t last as long as typical hardwood flooring. While your hardwood might show wear and tear over time, it can be refinished to make it look like new. Engineered hardwood flooring does not have that option, so it has a shorter lifespan.

JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care Knows How to Clean Laminate, Vinyl, and Engineered Hardwood Floors

We help revive every area in your home, from vinyl to carpets and laminate to hardwood. When you hire JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care, you can expect transparent pricing, on-time service, and we won’t stop cleaning until it meets our high standards. Call the Veterans and Military family members today at 844-GET-JDOG.