Deciding on the right flooring for your business can be a difficult task as there are so many different options to choose from. Two of the most popular flooring choices are luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and laminate flooring. Both of these materials are a great alternative to traditional hardwood floors or tiles but they do come with advantages and disadvantages. In this post, we will explore these flooring types while focusing on the factors that matter most to business owners like durability, cost, installation, maintenance and visual appeal.
Here at Weknowflooring, we’ve been supplying and fitting high quality commercial Luxury vinyl tiles and Laminate Flooring to businesses across the South East and London. With that kind of experience behind us we know what we’re talking about.
Durability
Both LVT and laminate flooring are designed to withstand wear and tear. Luxury vinyl tiles are resistant to moisture, and this makes them great for use in kitchens and bathrooms as they can handle water splashes without warping or swelling up. Laminate flooring is also durable, but it can be much more susceptible to water damage. It does, however, perform better against scratches and dents than LVT, and this is because it has a hard wearing top layer. High traffic areas means a laminate flooring might be a better choice.
Cost and Installation
Laminate flooring is usually more affordable than LVT, a significant factor if you’re on a tight budget or if you need to cover larger areas. Installation can also differ between these two types of flooring as laminate often has a click-lock system that many people can find easy to install, which can save on installation costs. LVT is not difficult to install but it can sometimes need more preparation and expertise, especially if you go for tiles that glue down rather than click together.
Maintenance and Care
Both LVT and laminate are low-maintenance in comparison to traditional hardwood floors, and if you sweep, vacuum and mop them regularly the floors will stay looking great. LVT does have an advantage over laminate when it comes to cleaning because it is water resistant, so you can mop it with water, and the floors won’t get damaged. Laminate is not great with water so any spills or excess water should be cleaned up quickly to stop the floors becoming damaged.
Visual Appeal of LVT and Laminate Floors
Both LVT and laminate flooring can mimic the look of natural materials like wood and stone. Luxury vinyl floors often look more realistic as they come in textures and colours that can closely match the material imitated and it is available in a wide variety of designs that can suit many tastes. Laminate floors also come in different wood colours and styles, but it often doesn’t look quite as realistic as LVT. Laminate can be warmer under foot, though, which does appeal to some business owners.
Making your Choice
Which flooring choice you decide upon will depend on what will best suit your business. If water resistance and a realistic look are important to you and you’re willing to spend a bit more, LVT may be the best option. If you’re looking for cost effective flooring that’s easy to install and maintain, then laminate floors may be the best choice for you.
Start your estimate today by contacting one of our friendly team - info@weknowflooring.co.uk.
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