Vinyl flooring can be installed using a float, glue or loose lay methods while laminate flooring can only be installed using floating methods. Floating means planks are locked together, but they not attached to the sub floor.

They are both can be installed over wood or concrete sub floors on any level of the home (including basement), Both can be cleaned easily by sweeping and dry mopping. Laminate is not suitable for areas with high levels of moisture, like bathrooms, while Vinyl is resistant to water, mold, and mildew.

One of them being laminate flooring is easy to install. Unlike installation of hardwood flooring or outdoor decking, laminate flooring can be installed over the weekend! Laminate flooring is manufactured in a way that it can be installed faster and is diy-friendly.

So does this means you can install it at home all by yourself? Well, it depends. For first-timer without renovation experience, diy laminate flooring installation may not be as easy as it seems.

Laminate Flooring vs Vinyl Flooring. If your budget is limited, the best options for you are laminate and vinyl floorings.

These two options can both look like hardwood but at more affordable prices. Both Laminate and Vinyl flooring are made by a High Density Fiber (HDF), with a balancing melamine backing layer underneath and a unique decor layer on the top, covered by a transparent and clear wear layer on top. Vinyl flooring installed using a float, glue or loose lay methods while laminate flooring can only be installed using floating method.

Laminate flooring has a lifetime which ranges between 15 years to 30 years. Engineered flooring, on the other hand, has the appearance of wood which has been used to make its top layer, but the bottom layer is HDF, MDF or a low grade wood.

Installation of laminate flooring is quite simple and easy to handle. However, engineered flooring takes more time and effort for installation which mostly requires professional assistance, whilst laminate flooring can be installed either by a professional or DIY'er.