So, you’ve finally decided to give your floor a makeover! It’s time for out with then old and in with the new. Of course you’ll be looking for something durable without having to spend lots of money, so it’s crucial to find a floor that’s sort of ‘middle ground’. Well, allow us to introduce you to laminate and vinyl flooring. These two budget-friendly, durable floors are the perfect option for any home, lets explore them a little further.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring perfectly replicates real wood, but it comes in at a much lower price. One of the most appealing features of laminate floors is that they are extremely durable, this is thanks to the four layer that make up the board:
- The backing layer acts as a barrier against the moisture coming from the subfloor.
- The core provides stability to the floor to support the weight of the people walking on it
- The image is the layer that gives the aesthetics to the floor.
- The protective layer protects the floor from fading.
Laminate floors are also very resistant because they are waterproof, making them a very family friendly floor. If you do have kids you don’t have to worry about any spilling or high traffic on the floor as it is quite resistant to scratchings. As for it’s looks, we have said that laminate floor imitates wood, this means that you will be able to find many different styles replicating different species of wood.However laminate flooring has its cons too, although it is waterproof this does not mean it is water resistant. So if too much water penetrates the floor, the material will swell and warp, meaning that you will have to replace the planks affected by water. Due to this quality it is often recommended not to install laminate in areas with high moisture exposure, such as bathrooms or shower rooms.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is nothing new, however it has seen a bit of a revival over the last few years. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering it’s one of the cheapest floors on the market. Vinyl flooring is highly resistant to many things such as water, which is why you will usually find vinyl in kitchens and bathrooms. Spillages aren’t the only thing that vinyl stands up tough to, it is also very resistant to scratches. As well as being incredibly durable, it is also one of the easiest floors to clean and maintain – which is ideal for those with little ones!
Vinyl not only saves you money when it comes to cost, it’s also really easy to install and can be done by even the most amateur of DIY-ers! As a result, you can save yourself some extra cash in the long run due to the fact that you don’t need to hire a specialist to fit the floor. Even if you’re not a massive DIY fan, don’t need to worry, vinyl floor manufacturers have made things even easier with the introduction of new types of vinyl tiles such as vinyl click flooring. These tiles have an easy to use click system and due to the lock within the system, the tiles are locked nice and tight so there’s no need to worry about any excess moisture seeping through. Another added benefit of this system, is that a tile is damaged, you will only need to replace that single tile and not the whole floor.
As for aesthetics, this material is very versatile, it can replicate many surfaces including tiles and wood. It’s the perfect floor for someone who’s looking to achieve an authentic look, without having to shell out too much money!
There are still many doubters towards vinyl floor, one of their main arguments is that due to the way that it is constructed it is both cheap-looking and not good for the environment. However, many manufacturers are now working harder than ever to ensure that the floor doesn’t only look good, but also that it is as environmentally-friendly as possible.
Obviously, the choice is yours, we just hope this post will help you make the best decision for your next home rennovation.