Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo type laminate.

We had vinyl plank flooring in the kitchen of our last house. I was easy to care for and looked great. Sorry, I can't help with the cost since it was done before we bought the house, but check with your local home improvement store for prices.

• The core materials of laminate make the planks not capable of being 100% waterproof, LVP can be.
• Laminate is made from natural materials where LVP is fully synthetic.
• When it comes to availability, certain retailers will only stock or sell specific brands and may or may not carry both laminate and LVP.
• Some laminate is still made with products that produce VOCs and can cause health issues in some.
• Laminate shouldn’t be installed in wet areas such as bathrooms, basements and laundry areas, while LVP can be installed in these areas.
• LVP is better for homes with pets and offers better protection against potty training, nails and shedding than laminate.

Hi Dee: From what I understand, laminates are not water proof. Here's a site that gives the differences between the two:

https://flooringwest.com/pergo-laminate-vs-lifeproof-vinyl-flooring/

Hope it helps.

We laid LVP this Fall in an Airbnb after having success with it in a family room. We love it. It ran about 2100. For 950 square feet. Without install (my hubby did it) You can see it here. https://alifeunfolding.com/modern-cottage-kitchen-reveal-week-jeffery-court-renovation-challenge/

Although the cost of installation will vary depending on where you live, generally the cost pr sq ft is equal to the product cost pr sq ft. So, for example, if your flooring is $3 pr sq ft, add an additional $3 pr sq ft for the installation.

The LVP that Libbie is refering to, based on the $2100 paid for the 950 sq ft = aprox $2.25 pr sq ft. If they hired out to install, rather than doing it thenselves, the project would have cost an additional $2100.

Ultimately, it's going to be a personal preference of materials. Vinyl is going to last longer and absorb abuse while laminate tends to peel, crack, pucker, as well as dull over time. Costs definitely vary by location based on what kind of material you choose and by installer if you're not going the DIY route. Best bet is to check material pricing online for stores near you.

Lvp is the bomb!!

I've been doing quite a bit of research on LVP. The things I have seen that I want to make sure is that it is waterproof. This would be important for any type room to me, not just kitchen & bath, because of cleaning and spills. Thickness is another consideration. The thinner doesn't seem to hold up as well according to what I have seen. We went to a flooring store and the salesman took a wire brush and scrubbed it on the floor. You could not see or feel any damage. As for pricing, I've seen quite a bit of fluctuations so my best advice would be to decide on what you want and then start shopping around for best price. If it is available at Home Depot, they run sales regularly on their 1 day sales.

Thank you all for the excellent info. All of my concerns were addressed. I am going to have to trust someone. I have seen all sorts of floors installed, but when I finally choose a product it is going to be the installer who actually makes or breaks the job.

There are many vinyl plank flooring companies and if you have a sample or piece of your old floor you could take it and try to match it to what is in stores like Home Depot, or flooring stores. Vinyl plank is excellent flooring

Dee,

When you are ready to choose/hire a particular installer, be sure to get a written contract that is signed by both you and the installer. Unfortunately, neither a verbal agreement, or a 'handshake', are no longer sufficient to protect you.

The contract should state exactly what the work is to be done, with what materials in particular, on what dates, and when and how much you as the customer will be paying. If the installer does not want to sign, then go with someone else.

Basic forms can be printed off the internet. Check into these to become more familiar with some of the terms.

If you go with a recognized company/store, then they should have a contractual form of their own that covers the responsibilities and obligations of both parties (the installer and the customer).

does Anyone know how Home Depot or Lowes Vet their contractors?

Im partial to laminate myself. Very durable and fit is good as it inter locks.

I am seriously considering luxury vinyl plank for our flooring we get installed within the next year or two. So impressed when I saw a brush taken to a plank and after some intense scratching you couldn't see even a tiny mark.

An update, I interviewed 6 contractors. I went with the Luxury SPC Vinyl. Unfortunately the contractor I hired, did a horrible job. I have 2 27 & 35 inch scratches in my dining room. I did not take the cheapest contractor, I choose the one who had the best ideas. I hried him off of a contractor site. They had a guarantee and an place called fairclaims to help if you had a problem. I went thru an arbirtration with FairClaims. It took a few months. I was awarded half the cost of the floor which helped. Those scratches on SPC cannot be fixed. One day I will have to replace again. I did my due diligence and got totally ripped off. There was other damage he did to all my door casings. Be very careful when hiring a contractor, and if you get them off of a home improvement site, ask about the warranty. I am glad I did. Half my money is better than nothing.

At my sister and her husband's store you can get really good vinyl plank or tile starting as low as 1.99 sq.ft.without pad attached. With starts around2.79. Beware of buying from places like Lowe's, lumber liquidators and the like. They have a lot that don't lock together like they should

I actually had SPC installed. Hired a contractor after interviewing 6 different concerns.

the contractor I hired talked a good game. He did horrible work and I had to take him to arbitration. Careless several deep scratches and used an underpayment which voided my warranty.. I received half my money back. Should have received more but something is better than nothing. I will live with this floor for a while, but it definitely needs replacement.

I can usually sum people up, however this contractor really pulled the wool over my eyes.

You could have ceramic tile that looks like wood!