Vinyl Plank or Laminate flooring?
 

I am planning to remove carpeting in one bedroom due to allergies etc. And planning to either install myself vinyl plank or laminate flooring.

Would appreciate some input and recommendations before we shop at Lowe’s this weekend. I have installed laminate flooring before, never vinyl plank. I assume that it’s much easier.

Priority for us is-

1 Appearance
2 Ease of install.
3 Cost.
4 Durability.

TIA

I put solid vinyl plank in one of my kids house and it was super easy to do, looks great and is durable. I don't like how laminate clicks when you walk on it but I guess that doesn't bother some people.

Vinyl plank all the way. More durable, easier to install and easy to fix on the rare occasion it gets damaged. Does not feel cold underfoot even tho it is installed onto the slab-I think over a vapor barrier where they took the carpet out of the bedrooms but I'm not sure. They laid it right over the sheet vinyl installed by the builder in the rest of the house. I slide furniture over it all the time and no marks so far. They told me the only thing that would damage the surface is if a knife was dropped point down and that would be hard to see due to the busy woodgrain pattern. There are different wear levels to be purchased and I got the most durable one.(Floor masters on 301) I think it was around $7/sq ft installed, 2 years ago. Laminate is like a photograph glued to particle board. And sounds clicky.

Cllicky? Our entire home is laminate ... the only "click" I have ever heard is when we step directly on the transition piece between the kitchen and garage. That reminds me .... gotta fix that. :)

That being said, ~6 years later I would have now chosen vinyl for the ease of replacement and waterproofness (is that a word?).

Thx so far all. Is there a better place to buy other than Lowe’s, we live close to it. As mentioned I plan to install so just need to buy products.

I installed Mohawk Luxury Vinyl Plank from Lowe's, in 2 bedrooms, 3 closets, and short hallway myself. This is a 100% vinyl product, it is very flexible, installs like rigid plank flooring BUT it is much quieter almost as quiet as carpet. We have had this for over 3 years with no were marks. NOTE: this installs DIRECTLY over the concrete floor with NO underlayment (do NOT listen to the salesman) read the manufacturers instructions. I was able to install this without removing the existing molding with all of the flooring on alls sides going under the existing molding. Send me PM if you need details.
Also a BIG advantage of the DIY approach I did not have to empty any of the rooms, I was able to move furniture, remove the carpet and padding, glue, etc, and completely clean the floor and then install. I cut this material with abox cutter, but I understand they have a heavy duty cutter for it.
I highly recommend this product.

I don't hear "clicks" on our wide plank laminate. What I do hear are footsteps just like the sound of footsteps on the tile in the house. Having said that, if we ever decide to replace the laminate flooring (highly doubt it though), I certainly would go with the vinyl plank. It sounds wonderful to be so quiet and flexible.

Laminate requires special cleaning no wet mop

Laminate is better for scratch resistance and vinyl for being waterproof. I recommend vinyl with a wear layer of 28mil and a thickness of at least 6mm. Hard to imagine it would ever need to be replaced for normal home wear. If it is a DIY then definitely vinyl. Plenty of YouTube videos about it.

Also there are new hybrids coming out that claim to be the best of both types. I would recommend shopping the website for LL Flooring for comparing the different types. Then shop around for price.

What about installation over tile floors?

If you do not mind the tapping noise, go laminate. Cheapens your house in regards to resale.

Great stuff! Better source than HD though
 

1. Looks great!
2. Easy to install!
3. Get it from Pats Sales in Leesburg. Half the price.
4. Tough stuff! Wheels on office chairs dont leave marks. Sliding furniture wont either.
I can recommend a very good installer if you’re interested. You just pick it out and pay. He’ll do all the rest. Very meticulous and trustworthy!!

Luxury Vinyl Plank
 

Had Mohawk LVP installed in all rooms (sans laundry and baths) by LA Flooring. They removed and reinstalled the baseboard (this is a must have !!! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise) and touched up the paint line. Great product (made in USA) and great installation. Laminate not for me.

Vinyl Plank
 

We put Armstrong vinyl plank in our condo 5 years ago (on the beach at PCB, we rent it out about 40 weeks a year). Looks great, never had a problem, easy upkeep, was easy to install, no adhesives required, don't need to 'float' floor. Same as used in many office buildings and wears like iron.

When we moved in we had tile floors in the baths, kitchen, laundry room, living room and dining room; and carpet in the master suite. The other two bedrooms already had laminate wood flooring. We had the carpet removed and the installers put down dura rock sheeting to level the floor to the height of the tile throughout the rest of the house. We had LVP put down throughout over tile and the dura rock. No noise, no ware and no scratching from our 120lb English Lab. We use a cleaner recommended by the installer - just spray and mop. You'll love it!