When it comes to flooring both Lvt & laminate floors, can save you money on traditional hard wood floors or ceramic tiles .
this is not the only benefit, but can help you achieve the feel and look you are seeking for your home without breaking the bank.
At flooring 4 less we have been suppling both option for over 20 years. and we have learnt all there is to know to be able to give you our honest opinion.
How its made
Luxury vinyl tiles (Lvt) Is manufactured using multiple layers of PVC this makes lvt not only waterproof, but also extremely stable in most conditions.
Laminate is typically constructed with the core being high density fibreboard (Hdf) therefore it is recommended that any liquid spills should be removed straight away to prevent the boards from becoming unstable. moisture can cause boards to swell & expand.
Choice of designs and finish
Luxury vinyl flooring by far offers not only the larger choice of finishes but also allows you to quite easily create your own design, whether that includes adding non perishable grout lines, to the huge selection of stone effect finishes, or maybe you would like to have a herringbone finish in your hallway running seamlessly into a wood plank in your lounge. borders and feature strips can be easily added at little expense.
Laminates floors again have a wide range of finishes, from wood plank, herringbone & stone effect, however adding your own personal touch is very limited
Which is the harder wearing ?
Both options are can be extremely hard wearing depending on the wear rating
LVT wear ratings are typically dependant on the wear layer, traditionally between 0.2mm - 0.70mm thickness. the higher the wear layer the more suitable for heavy foot traffic.
as a general rule anything above 0.50mm is suitable for not only the home but also suitable for commercial use, including Hotels, shops, airport lounges etc.
Laminate floors tend to use either Abrasion Class (AC) or Class Ratings
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Abrasion Class (AC) |
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AC1 |
Moderate Residential Spare or rooms with low use |
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AC2 |
General Residential Bedrooms |
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AC3 |
Heavy residential Bedrooms, Lounge, Diner, Hallways etc |
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AC4 |
General commercial Shops, Boutiques, Small office |
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AC5 |
Heavy commercial Restaurant's, Airport lounges, Cafes, Shops, etc |
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Class Ratings |
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Class 21 |
Light domestic use |
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Class 22 |
Moderate domestic use |
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Class 23 |
Heavy domestic use |
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Class 24 |
Very intensive domestic use |
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Class 31 |
Light commercial use |
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Class 32 |
Moderate commercial use |
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Class 33 |
Heavy commercial use |
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Class 34 |
Very intensive commercial use |
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