Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring - what the heck is the difference?

Question

Isn't laminate and Vinyl Flooring the same thing? If not, what would be the best for a bathroom?

thanks

Answer 1

Laminate is just as it says - layers of some type of material laminated together. Generally that material is wood. As you might guess, laminated material would not stand up well in a bathroom where it would get wet and thus become separated.

The best material for a bathroom is either vinyl or ceramic tile.

Answer 2

They are both very durable. I prefer the laminate because of esthetic reasons. I am glad for the choice but having used both, all in all the laminate is very attractive with a few oriential rugs. No accounting for tastes. My elderly mom loves vinyl for a kitchen, in particular. Pergo is wonderful, in my personal opinion. I sold my home and must live with whatever is available to rent these days. The economy hurt me a lot.  

Answer 3

Laminate is a very hard, manufactured frooring that snaps together

and 'floats' on the floor. You don't glue it down.

Vinyl is kind of old fashioned, cheap flooring that either has

adhesive on it already (just peel off the paper and place on floor)

or you apply the adhesive when you lay the floor.

Vinyl flooring has the nasty tendancy to peel up at the

edges if it gets wet, or the floor shifts.

Laminate flooring needs to be installed on a FLAT

surface, or it will not sit flat on the subfloor. You can't

get it wet, either, or the stuff is ruined.

Niether of those is really good in a bathroom. The best

solution for a bathroom floor is ceramic tile, installed

properly by a tiler.

Answer 4

Definitely laminate for the bathroom, Vinyl is pretty much a thing of the past.

Answer 5

Laminate is wood a picture is taken of a nicer wood and glued adhered top of it.  There are all diffrent qualities some are beautiful, some not so much.  The installation is easier than solid wood and it is usually more durable and less expensive.  Vinyl is a plastic that had a peel and stick back to it it is extremley durable and sometimes waterproof.  They make some amazing vinyl these days.  Only potential drawback when you walk on it toy can tell it's not wood.  

Answer 6

Laminate is actually thin pieces of wood that are covered with a protective "laminate".  They do not do well with sitting water or liquid.

Vinyl flooring has come a long way - you can get "cushy," vinyl that looks like wood or tile.  I had (good-quality) vinyl in a kitchen that looked just like tile.

In a bathroom I'd definately recommend vinyl!