Laminate vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank: An Honest Review

Quick Take

Laminate vs. luxury vinyl plank (LVP) sit in the same price range at America’s Floor Source, so the right pick comes down to lifestyle. Laminate wins on sharper hardwood realism, strong scratch resistance, and better fade performance in sunny rooms. LVP delivers surface-level waterproof planks, softer/quiet steps, and low-stress cleanup—great for kitchens, basements, and homes with spills. For a 500 SF project, expect ~$4,000–$7,500 installed, with ~$53–$99/mo on qualifying 10-year, 9.99% financing.  

Bottom Line Up Front

Don’t ask “Which is better?” Ask “Which fits how we live?” 

• Choose laminate if you want the most convincing hardwood look, tougher scratch/fade resistance, and you’re installing in dry spaces.
• Choose LVP if moisture happens (kitchens, baths, basements), you want a softer, quieter step, and you’d like “wipe-and-move-on” simplicity.

What They Are (in plain English)

Laminate: High-density fiberboard core + decorative layer with a printed image to allow a wide variety of detailed design and beautiful colors and patterns + hard wear layer. Water-resistant lines add sealed edges/cores for 24–72 hours of spill protection. 
LVP: Vinyl core + textured top that mimics wood or stone (often with attached pad). The planks are waterproof, but water can still reach the subfloor at seams if it pools or leaks.

How They Look in a Real Home 

• Laminate’s edge is realism. High-res photography with embossed grain gives you that “is it real?” moment—especially in bright rooms where it holds color.
• LVP’s edge is versatility. From warm oaks to slate or marble looks, it plays nicely in open layouts and flows with fewer transitions.

Durability You’ll Notice  

• Laminate: Excellent scratch and fade resistance. If a cast-iron pan drops, you might chip it—rare, but possible. Typical life 15-20 years with care.
• LVP: More comfortable and quiet, but can dent under heavy furniture and scratch more easily than laminate. Typical life 10-15 years =with sensible floor pads/rugs.

Pets & toys test: If claw marks and race-car tracks worry you most, lean laminate. If “oops, spilled juice” is the daily headline, lean LVP. 

Water & Peace of Mind 

• Laminate: Fine with quick wipe-ups. Water-resistant lines buy time (24–72 hrs).
• LVP: Planks are waterproof. Everyday spills? No big deal. 

A family once told us having luxury vinyl by the kids’ snack zone “ended our constant worry”—no swelling planks, just a towel and done. 

Care & Cleaning (Day to Day)

• Laminate: Sweep/vacuum; damp (not wet) mop. Skip steam.
• LVP: Practically carefree—sweep, vacuum, or damp mop.

Feel & Sound Underfoot 

• Laminate: Comes with or without pad now, select a high quality underlayment to help alleviate sound concerns.
• LVP: Softer, warmer, quieter, especially with attached pad—nice in open plans and multi-level homes.

Price You Can Plan Around 

At America’s Floor Source, laminate vs. Luxury vinyl plank are priced the same across Good/Better/Best. 

• Good: ~$8.00–$9.50/SF → $4,000–$4,750 installed (~$53–$63/mo)
• Better: ~$9.50–$12.00/SF → $4,750–$6,000 installed (~$63–$79/mo)
• Best: ~$12.00–$15.00+/SF → $6,000–$7,500+ installed (~$79–$99/mo)

Ballpark disclaimer: Ranges are estimates. Actuals vary by product, site conditions, and add-ons. 

Warranties & Resale (Know Before You Buy) 

• Laminate: Residential warranties commonly 20 years to lifetime (cosmetic wear-through, not water damage). Improved technology and materials than older generations. Stronger resale but still typically below hardwood/tile.
• LVP: Often 15–20 year residential warranties (wear); “waterproof” refers to planks, not floods reaching subfloors. Resale is target at budget friendly homes.

Important fine print: Long-standing water, subfloor moisture, and improper maintenance are usually excluded. Major water events are typically an insurance claim, not a flooring warranty. 

Laminate vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank: Side-by-Side at a Glance

Quick Myths, Quickly Busted

• “Laminate is engineered hardwood.” Nope—laminate is a layered HDF product with a photo layer and wear layer.
• “LVP is old-school sheet vinyl.” Not even close—planks use a tongue and groove installation and are thicker, more realistic, and built for modern homes.

Best Fit for Families & Pets 

• Living rooms/bedrooms where scratches matter? Laminate.
• Kitchens/baths/basements where spills happen? LVP.
• Mixed strategy works great: laminate in dry zones; LVP where water wins.

One Clear Next Step

See both options in person—that’s where the decision clicks. 
Explore online (Laminate vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank), schedule a free consultation, or visit a showroom to compare samples side-by-side and feel the difference underfoot.