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Laminate and luxury vinyl flooring mimics natural materials
Two types of flooring, laminate and luxury vinyl, are designed to mimic hardwood, stone, and ceramic flooring. The attractive, pet-friendly planks and tiles resist stains and scratches. Floors are durable and easy to clean, and they need little maintenance. LuXe Interiors is a flooring retailer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that provides a wide variety of these flooring brands. Our installers are experienced pros who can handle any flooring project.
Laminate vs luxury vinyl
Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) look similar. Digitally printed images on planks show off a variety of wood species while tiles have a wood, stone, or ceramic look. Various textures enhance the realistic appearance. Most brands are installed as a floating floor that is not attached to the subfloor. But the makeup of each type of flooring is different. Laminate flooring is a four-layer wood product that has a fiberboard core. LVF is a four-layer synthetic product. Thus, laminate is warmer and more comfortable underfoot than luxury vinyl.
Durability
The two kinds of planks and tiles have a backing, core, image, and wear layer. But quality, and thus durability, is judged by different standards. Consider wear layer thickness when browsing for LVF and AC rating when comparing laminate brands.
With LVF, the wear layer protects the design layer so thicker is better. A 20 mil thickness is adequate for busy households. Laminate is tested for abrasion, impact, burn, and stain resistance as well as swelling under moist conditions. AC1 flooring is appropriate for bedrooms and other low traffic areas while AC5 flooring is tough enough to be used throughout the home or in public buildings.
Waterproof
Waterproof styles can be found in both materials. LVF that has a WPC, or wood plastic composite, core or an SPC, or stone plastic composite, core are waterproof. Wood fiber or wood flour is the main component in WPC while SPC includes limestone. WPC and SPC vinyl flooring does not change structurally when wet for a long period. In other words, standing water will not damage the floor. This differs from laminate that is labeled 'waterproof.' The flooring will be damaged by water if the manufacturer's guidelines are not followed. Typically, planks and tiles can tolerate water for about one day. These are considered water-resistant, and that time, damage may occur.
We bring quality products and service to folks in Ann Arbor, MI, Brighton, MI, Canton, MI, Dexter, MI, Chelsea, MI, Belleville, MI, && Clarkston, MI. It’s easy to get your laminate or luxury vinyl flooring project started. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation.
We bring quality products and service to folks in Ann Arbor, MI, Brighton, MI, Canton, MI, Dexter, MI, Chelsea, MI, Belleville, MI, && Clarkston, MI. It’s easy to get your laminate or luxury vinyl flooring project started. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation.
