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What’s the Difference Between Laminate Flooring and Vinyl Flooring?
The floor of a house has the power to completely transform the environment. We all know that building, renovating and decorating are challenging tasks. Only when we see the end result do we understand why all the work was worth it. If you are looking for the perfect floor covering for your home, you must first understand the difference between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring.
Both coatings have very interesting features. They are ideal for use indoors and, best of all, extremely easy to clean! Furthermore, they can even be superimposed on other specific floors.
Laminate, for example, can be placed on top of ceramic flooring and even wood, if they are in good condition. With so many similar attributes, how to choose the best one? Discover the differences between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring and make the best decision!
After all, what is the difference between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring?
Essentially, the main difference between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring concerns the material they are produced from.
Laminate Flooring — made with HDF, the high-density wood panel. The upper part receives the print that gives it a floor look and the material comes in rulers;
Vinyl Flooring — produced from PVC. It can come in rulers or boards.
The other big difference involves the installation process for each one of them, which, despite being simple, has some specifications. Laminate flooring can only be applied with a click fit. It is possible to install it anywhere, as long as the subfloor has a maximum of 3mm of protrusions in an extension of up to 1m. Otherwise, it is necessary to make corrections with a specific product for this purpose.
The vinyl floor demands a level floor. Therefore, the evaluation is fundamental and, if necessary, a leveling mass must be applied.
Getting to know each of them better
Now that you know the main differences between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring in terms of structural issues, it’s time to know more specifically the strengths and weaknesses of each. So you can make the best decision for your home!
Laminate flooring
You already know that laminate flooring is extremely easy to install and helps keep the room warm. The day after the application it is already possible to use it! In addition, it can be dismantled and taken to another house or another environment, in cases of change, for example. However, it is not resistant to a large amount of water, so it is ideal to clean it with a vacuum cleaner, a soft bristle broom and a damp cloth.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring has the interesting power to conserve the temperature of environments and muffle sounds, such as footsteps, for example. Due to its coating, it is anti-allergenic and hardly stains. Like laminates, vinyls do not resist a lot of water and should not be applied in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, but cleaning can be done with a damp cloth without any problems.
Now that you know the difference between laminate flooring and vinyl flooring, you can choose the perfect one for your home! Check out the Hardwood Design Centre pattern options and find the one that best fits your profile.
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Use of sealed wood flooring from damage
At Hardwood Design Centre, we talk about elegance, style and value with every kinds of flooring available in our store. Versatile in their very disposition, each of our pieces complements any decorating style. They also reflect exclusive construction and workmanship
To protect the floor from any damage, go for sealed wood flooring and save your floor from any deterioration. for more info call now 647-370-7318
Read Also : Hardwood Design Centre : Scroll the collection of best hardwoods floorings
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10 Things You Need to Know About Home Depot Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring has the power to transform any environment and has countless varieties of colors and textures. But before the aesthetic part, it requires certain care at the time of installation. Check out 10 things you need to know about your laminate flooring below.
1 – Composition
First, it is important to know the characteristics of Home Depot Laminate Flooring. It has its raw material from wood, they are wooden substrates with an application of special resin that reinforces the durability of the floor. Finally, a decorative paper is placed that gives the laminate flooring different characteristics.
2- Installation Time
Installing laminate flooring is usually quick. For example, an empty property with a properly adjusted sub-floor of up to 80m² can be completed in just 2 days. In cases where the furniture is already in the house or the sub-floor needs to be redone, it is certain that it will take more time to install, but this time is still short compared to installing a tiled floor.
3 – Sub-floor
It is extremely important that the sub floor is clean and level for installation. That’s why when the subfloor is dimpled, hollow or brittle, it will need to be redone or readjusted. In some cases where interference is minimal, the installer will be able to make small adjustments and will not need to redo your floor. It is important to know this since the leveling of the subfloor can increase the final price of the installation.
4 – Where can I install
It is possible to install the laminate on ceramic, porcelain and marble floors, but it is necessary to place a blanket. The grouts must be regularized with regularizing mortar, we recommend products such as Weber Quartzolit or Mapei which are quick-drying and have a higher quality.
5 – Where not to install
Laminate flooring must NOT be installed on carpet, hardwood flooring, upholstery or any floating floor.
6 – Is the use of the blanket mandatory?
Yes, all floating floors must be installed with the blanket.
7 – Air conditioning
Laminates dilate or shrink depending on the weather, so it is important that the material stays in the environment for 24 hours before being installed so that the floor is air conditioned.
8 – Equipment for installation
The tools generally used in general are: circular saw, jigsaw, miter saw, measuring tape and saw bow. hammer, saw, screwdriver, square, carpenter’s pencil, professional stiletto, drill. strap, bar, stop block and spacers.
9 – Humidity
Always check if the sub floor is free from moisture. You can perform the humidity test with a Humidity Meter or, more simply, just fix a plastic with adhesive tapes on the floor, finally wait for 24 hours and if there is perspiration on the plastic it means that the environment has humidity and the opposite floor needs to be waterproofed.
10 – Look for references
Always ask for a visit of the company at your home for the team to assess and measure the location, as well as consult the advertisement here and Google and rate the company, also check if the installers team is well trained and ask for a reference.
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Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring
Hardwood Design Centre is an online store where you will get different varieties and different designs Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring are you interested in buying wood flooring for your house call now 647-370-7318
Read Also : Vinyl Flooring vs. Laminate Flooring What is the difference between the two
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Bathroom Vinyl Flooring
Great floors are a lot more than simple design. At Hardwood Design Centre, we talk about elegance, style and value with every kinds of flooring available in our store. Versatile in their very disposition, each of our pieces complements any decorating style. They also reflect exclusive construction and workmanship.
Are you looking for Bathroom Vinyl Flooring in high quality? Its for you Hardwood Design Centre provide you the best and highest quality Bathroom Vinyl Flooring in affordable price call now 647-370-7318
Read Also : 6 characteristics and advantages of vinyl flooring you need to know
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Quick makeover: what’s the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring ?
Compare the two coverings and find out which one is best for your home
Anyone who wants to transform their home without wasting time can use two types of flooring: laminate or vinyl. “Once the subfloor is right, placement is quick,” says interior designer Hardwood Giant . “It is possible to decorate an environment in one day”. The two materials are also easy to clean and can be layered on top of other floors. How then to choose the correct coating? Click below and see more information about each of the materials.
What is each one made of?
Vinyl flooring is made with vinyl chloride, or PVC. The material comes in boards, rulers or blankets.
Laminate, on the other hand, is composed of layers of wood-derived materials, such as chipboard and high-density wood panel (HDF). The top layer receives a decorative print, impregnated with resin. Coating comes in slits; can be installed by fitting or odorless glue.
Benefits
The vinyl floor muffles footsteps and helps to conserve the temperature of the rooms. As it is protected by polyurethane resin, it stains very little and is non-allergenic. And there’s no shortage of print options! The product can range from vibrant colors to a discreet appearance. “Manufacturers reproduce the look of wood with such perfection that it is difficult to distinguish”, says architect Ana Cristina Tavares, from the KTA office.
Laminate is very easy to install: the next day you can use it. In case of moving, it can be disassembled and taken to the new house. “It is considered floating, so the subfloor does not need to be as level as in the case of vinyl,” adds Hardwood Giant . Durability is also high – ranging from 5 to 16 years.
Weaknesses
Vinyl scratches if the abrasion is severe – as in the case of a refrigerator being moved. Its pigment also fades in the sun. In addition, the floor supports water but cannot be submerged. That’s why it’s good to avoid it in outdoor areas and rooms that are flooded, such as bathrooms and kitchens. “For these environments, we have coatings that behave better, such as ceramic and porcelain,” says interior designer Hardwood Giant ”.
Laminate, on the other hand, propagates sounds easily. “To avoid the touch-touch of the shoe, it is necessary to cover the subfloor with an acoustic blanket”, explains Hardwood Giant . Very smooth, the floor makes life difficult for pets, who end up slipping. Due to its wooden core, the material cannot be covered with water – anyone spilling any liquid needs to dry soon. Finally, it is necessary to install felt on the furniture legs and use polyethylene castors.
Installation
Vinyl only works well with a dry, clean and rigorously level screed. To create this surface, the best way is to apply a leveling compound, composed of glue and cement. With the mixture, it is possible to apply the floor on surfaces that are not so smooth, such as ceramic or polished stones. The next step is to glue or snap the coating and wait for it to dry. It’s a bad idea to install vinyl over materials that can rot, such as wood and laminate. Tip: Hire an experienced installer able to assess the subfloor and indicate fixes.
Laminate also needs a dry, clean and level screed, but accepts variations of up to 3mm every 1.5m of extension. Therefore, it can cover stone, concrete and ceramics, as long as the surface receives a regularizing blanket, made of polyethylene or polyurethane plastics. The product can be installed with glue or with a snap-in system. It is necessary to leave a space for expansion between the edges of the floor and the wall. And it’s also worth hiring an installer, who can evaluate the subfloor.
Cleaning
Vinyl flooring resists stains and the proliferation of bacteria. In everyday life, just sweep it with a fur broom or squeegee it with a damp cloth. If you want a deeper cleaning, use fabric with water and mild soap.
Clean the laminate with a vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled broom passed in the direction of the planks – but be careful not to scrape the surface. Then wipe it with a damp cloth with mild soap (remember to wring it well). Stains require detergent and alcohol. Paint, varnish and grease come out with kerosene, thinner or turpentine.
In which environments to install them?
Vinyl flooring works well indoors that don’t get intense sunlight. “I like to use it in children’s rooms, especially those with allergies, because of the ease of cleaning,” says interior designer Hardwood Giant . “I also install it in environments that need more thermal comfort, such as the home office”, he adds. “The floor is unbeatable when you want to quickly renovate an environment or if you want a coating that is easy to install and maintain”, adds Ana Cristina, from KTA.
Laminate does well in dry, cool-temperature areas that require a little more sophistication. “I would use it in bedrooms, living rooms, as well as areas like home offices,” says Hardwood Giant . “I would avoid it in a hallway, as the sound of the shoe can be uncomfortable.”
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Learn how to install laminate flooring without professional help
Installing laminate flooring is not as complicated as it may sound and does not necessarily need professional help . You just need to have the courage to get your hands dirty and lose the fear of venturing into the DIY universe.
So you don’t have a mistake, we’ve put together a simple and practical step-by-step guide for you to follow when installing laminate flooring in your home. In addition, we’ve separated a list of materials you can’t miss and we’ve gathered all the necessary tips to avoid unpleasant surprises. Check out!
You will need:
1 – Subfloor blanket available in three types. The smooth mat is used for cemented subfloors. Ventilated is suitable for wooden, stone, ceramic or vinyl flooring. Acoustics, in turn, is ideal for non-ground floors and apartments, as it contributes to noise reduction.
2 – 1.5 cm spacers. Spacers should be placed along the wall to leave room for floor expansion.
3 – Profiles, used to finish the placement of laminate flooring. The T-profile must be used throughout the doorway and every 8 m²; the floor-wall profile, as an alternative to the baseboard; the reducing profile, in cold areas and when moving between uneven environments; and the corner (or cord), next to built-in cabinets or masonry furniture.
4 – Baseboard and baseboard glue;
5 – Tools such as measuring tape, square, adhesive tape, knife, circular saw (or hand saw or miter saw), stop block, rubber hammer, S-shaped iron, headless nails and pencil.
Pre-installation precautions:
When calculating the amount of material needed to cover the room in which you want to install laminate flooring, the ideal is to use the formula : “(room width x room length) x 1.1” to find the correct square footage . This account already includes the average loss of coating (10%), to avoid surprises at the time of installation.
It is also essential that the subfloor is clean and level . The rule for not noticing unevenness at the end of the installation is: differences of up to 3 mm in a space of 1.5 m are acceptable. If the difference is greater than this when measuring with the level, it is advisable to repair the difference before starting the laminate flooring installation .
Step by step to install laminate flooring
1st step
Place the appropriate blanket on the subfloor, in the opposite direction to the placement of the planks, leaving 1 cm of excess in the corner of the wall and joining the strips with adhesive tape.
2nd step
Position the spacers along the wall closest to the place where the installation will begin, which should be the widest in the room. Place the 1st plank with the male side (the one made to fit, not to receive the fitting of another board) facing the wall, then place the 2nd. During installation, it is important to make sure the wood design is in sequence.
3rd step
It is very likely that the last ruler in the first row will need to be adjusted for length. When sawing, it is important that the decorative side is facing down and that it is at least 20 cm long. To install, the cut part must face the wall.
4th step
Start the second row using a cut ruler, placing it at a 30° angle and working down to fit it. Alternating the position of the cut pieces is a rule of thumb for installing laminate flooring , so make the third row as the first and the fourth as the second until the end of the process.
5th step
Once all planks are installed, remove the spacers and secure the baseboards to the wall with glue and headless nails. To finish the finish, just fit the profiles described above, according to your room’s needs, and you’re done!
Read also: What are the advantages of engineered wood flooring ?
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