Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring: Compare Samples Like a Pro
By Dana Krizmanic,
Walking into a showroom trying to decide between vinyl vs laminate flooring can feel overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve watched countless Highland families stand in our showroom, holding samples up to the light, trying to figure out which one actually works for their home. Here’s the thing: you don’t need a design degree to make this decision. You just need to know what to look for.
After years of helping Northwest Indiana homeowners choose between these two popular options, I’ve picked up some tricks that make this process easier. Whether you’re tackling a basement renovation in Munster or updating your main floor in Schererville, these insider tips will help you feel confident.
Understanding Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring Basics
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Let’s start with what makes these two different. Vinyl flooring is made from PVC and is completely waterproof. Laminate flooring has a wood composite core with a printed design layer on top. It looks great, but it can’t handle standing water.
For Northwest Indiana homes, especially older ones with basement moisture concerns, this difference matters a lot. Vinyl wins every time in bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. Laminate works beautifully in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas.
Comparing Vinyl and Laminate: The Feel Test
When you compare vinyl vs laminate flooring by touch, you’ll notice vinyl feels slightly softer and warmer underfoot. Laminate has a firmer, more rigid feel that some people prefer because it feels more like real hardwood.
Here’s my pro tip: bring home at least five samples of each type. Indiana’s natural light changes throughout the day, and what looks perfect in our showroom might look completely different in your living room at 3 p.m. Walk on them barefoot. That’s how you’ll experience them every morning.
We encourage everyone to visit both our Highland, Indiana, and Mokena, Illinois showrooms. Each location has full installations you can actually walk on, which beats looking at tiny samples any day.
Test Vinyl vs Laminate Samples in Your Space
Place samples directly on your existing floor in every room you’re considering. The basement lighting is entirely different from your kitchen lighting, especially in those charming Highland bungalows and ranches with varying light situations.
Also, if you have kids or pets (most Northwest Indiana families have both), put those samples through a real test. Spill water on them. Drag a toy across them. See how they handle everyday chaos. Waterproof vinyl will laugh off the water. Laminate won’t be as forgiving.
The Temperature Test for Vinyl and Laminate
Leave samples on your floor overnight, then check them first thing in the morning. Indiana winters are brutal, and cold floors make for miserable mornings.
Vinyl typically stays warmer underfoot. Laminate can feel quite cold, especially in basements or rooms over crawl spaces. This might be the deciding factor you didn’t even know mattered.
Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring: Texture and Finish
Run your hand across each sample. Does it have a wood grain texture you can feel, or is it smooth? When comparing vinyl vs laminate flooring, both can have realistic textures, but they feel different.
Textured surfaces hide scratches and wear better, which matters in high-traffic areas. However, super textured surfaces can be slightly harder to clean. Think about your lifestyle first, then pick based on looks.
High gloss finishes show every footprint and speck of dust. Matte or low-gloss finishes are much more forgiving for busy households.
Match Flooring Samples With Your Existing Features
Hold samples against your cabinets, baseboards, and furniture. Indiana homes often have beautiful wood trim and traditional design elements. You want your new floor to complement these features, not fight with them.
That gray vinyl that looked perfect in the showroom might read too blue against your existing paint. Natural light in Northwest Indiana can be tricky, especially during our long winter months when everything takes on a cooler tone.
The Sound Test for Vinyl and Laminate
Drop your keys on each sample. Some products are quieter than others, which matters if you have bedrooms above your main floor. Generally, vinyl is softer and quieter. Laminate can be noisier, though quality underlayment helps significantly.
Vinyl vs Laminate Durability for Real Life
If you have a finished basement where kids play constantly, durability trumps everything. Vinyl handles moisture, spills, and heavy use without batting an eye. It’s practically indestructible.
Laminate is plenty durable for main living areas, but needs respect around water. One major spill left too long can cause swelling and damage. Be honest about your household’s habits when choosing between vinyl vs laminate flooring.
Why Our Showrooms Beat Online Shopping
Looking at samples online gives you a starting point, but nothing replaces seeing products in person. Our Highland and Mokena showrooms let you see a few full-size installations and really walk on different options.
We can also talk through the specific challenges of your project. Older Indiana homes have unique considerations, such as unlevel subfloors or moisture issues, that affect which product works best. We’ve worked in enough local homes to anticipate these concerns.
Making Your Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring Decision
After testing samples in your space for a few days, you’ll usually have a clear favorite. If you’re still torn between vinyl vs laminate flooring options, come back to our showroom and we’ll talk through your concerns.
Trust yourself to make the right call. Does this floor make your space feel the way you want? Can you realistically maintain it? Does it work with Northwest Indiana’s climate and your home’s quirks? Will you still like this in five years?
We’ve helped thousands of Northwest Indiana families through this process. When someone finds the right floor, they know it. The doubt fades away, and excitement takes over.
Come visit us in Highland or Mokena. We’ll send you home with plenty of samples and all the advice you need. Your perfect floor is out there, and we’ll help you find it..