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Should I Choose Laminate Flooring or Vinyl Planks, and Is Laminate Real Wood?

You are staring at two aisles that both look like wood. One is Laminate. The other is Vinyl Planks. They are not the same under the photo. Laminate is built on pressed wood. Vinyl is built on plastic (often with stone in the core). That one difference changes which rooms make sense, and what happens when water shows up. Below is the plain-words version, with one real laminate plank and one real vinyl plank from FloorBox.

Wood-look flooring planks side by side

What is laminate flooring made of?

Open the Laminate page. FloorBox says laminate copies the look of wood. The base layer is wood chips and particles pressed into sheets. On top sits a photo of real wood (the image layer), then a clear plastic wear layer. Because the base is wood chips, it can be damaged by water and must stay dry. The page says laminate is not for bathrooms, but it works in bedrooms, hallways and dining areas.

A concrete example: the Planchers 1867 Laminate Flooring Concerto XL Baryton Oak 7" x 48" lists Thickness 12 mm, AC3, Click Lock, Water Resistant: No, Waterproof: No. For what thickness and AC mean in a basement, read How Do I Choose Laminate Flooring for a Basement by Thickness and AC Rating?

What is a vinyl plank made of?

Vinyl is synthetic. The FloorBox Vinyl page says floors are made from PVC, sometimes mixed with wood (WPC) or stone (SPC). The Vinyl Planks page says vinyl is completely synthetic, so it is water-resistant and will not warp in wet conditions the way laminate can.

A concrete example: the Planchers 1867 Vinyl Plank Evolution Magma XL Series Helka Click Lock 7" x 48" lists SPC (Stone-Plastic Composite), Thickness 4 mm, Waterproof: Yes, Grade Level: On, above and below, Underpad Attached: Yes (EVA Foam), Pet Friendly: Yes. It also lists Click Lock. For how that lock works, read How Does Click Vinyl Flooring Lock Together, and Is It a Good Fit for My Basement?

Is laminate real wood?

No. Not as a solid wood board. The base is pressed wood particles. The surface you see is a photograph of wood under a clear wear layer. You get a wood look without a solid wood plank. That is why water matters: wood chips in the base do not like staying wet.

Wood-look laminate and vinyl planks

Which rooms fit laminate, and which fit vinyl planks?

Start with water and boots.

  • Mostly dry rooms (bedroom, dining, dry hallway): laminate can work. Keep spills wiped. Example: Concerto XL (12 mm, AC3, Click Lock).
  • Rooms that see more moisture (basement that stays a bit damp, kitchen splash risk, entry with wet boots): vinyl planks are the safer choice of the two examples here. Helka lists Waterproof: Yes and on / above / below grade.
  • Bathrooms: the Laminate page says laminate is not suitable there. Look at vinyl or tile instead.

Pets? Helka lists Pet Friendly: Yes. For a front entry that gets snow and slush, see What Is the Best Flooring for an Entryway or Hallway That Gets Snow, Slush and Road Salt in Winter?

How do I choose between laminate and vinyl for my room?

Ask three questions, then open the product pages:

  • Will this floor stay dry? If no, lean vinyl. If yes, either can work.
  • Do I want a thicker board underfoot? Concerto XL is 12 mm laminate. Helka is 4 mm vinyl with a pad already attached.
  • Do I need the floor below grade (basement)? Helka lists on, above and below. Read grade level on every vinyl page before you buy.

Then shop Laminate and Vinyl Planks side by side. For thickness and AC ratings, see How Do I Choose Laminate Flooring for a Basement by Thickness and AC Rating? For how click planks lock together, see How Does Click Vinyl Flooring Lock Together? If you lean vinyl and can't decide between planks and tiles, read Which Is Better, LVP or LVT, and How Do I Choose Between Vinyl Plank and Vinyl Tile?