Being the foundation of any house project, your floor choice has to cater to your style, needs, and budget. This makes choosing floors the hardest and biggest decision for homeowners. Moreover, with Singapore’s humid and sunny climate, buckling and fading ruin the dream of maintaining evergreen wooden utopias. This is where vinyl and laminate flooring come in.
Both aforementioned options are safe from the drawbacks of natural materials and offer various advantages. These include easy installation, stain resistance and longer lifespans alongside their competitive prices in the market. With both options being popular choices, explore their functions, features, and differences with us so that planning your dream home becomes easy.
Vinyl planks are thought to be an inexpensive plastic that cheapens the look of a home. This might have been the case with old vinyl tiles. However, the new generation of vinyl flooring comes in a wide range of options that cater to different needs.
Eco Protect Resilient Vinyl Flooring | Telok Kurau Project
Generally, vinyl flooring such as LVP or LVT is made up of multiple synthetic layers compressed to form a resilient floor armoured with visual aesthetic. Available in limitless designs, styles, and colours, it can mimic the look of wood or stone, breathing new life into your interior ideas. There are several Eco vinyl flooring options, ranging from ERF and EPRF with click systems to EPRF Orchid+, a glue-down alternative. There is a common misconception amongst parents and pet owners that LVP/T emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that reduce indoor air quality. Our Eco-resilient vinyl flooring collection, however, is non-toxic. This is made possible by using advanced technologies which ensure that our products remain family-friendly.
Eco Resilient Vinyl Flooring | High-End Salon @ Loewen Road
Having established its visual appeal and safety, what other advantages make eco vinyl planks a top contender in today’s flooring market?
Besides being a budget-friendly option, it is functionally remarkable. Some of these come with anti-bacterial features such as EPT shield, which means minimal cleaning will be required on your part. Moreover, its waterproof and slip-resistant surface makes it perfect for homes with seniors. Its versatility makes it safe to install anywhere from moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms or laundry rooms to living rooms.
Opting for vinyl tiles with a thick wear layer and topcoat, like our scratch-resistant Click LVT, will make your floor more durable and ideal for pets. It will be able to withstand higher traffic, resist wear better, and in the long run, last longer. Likewise, core layers with foam underlays provide a “give” that will cushion the impacts of falls, ensuring the safety of your kids.
If you still crave for the inviting warmness, neutral tones, natural and rustic elements such as the grooves of real wood that coordinates with any interior decoration, consider laminate flooring. How is this option different from LVP/T and where can it be installed?
Laminate Flooring | Paya Lebar Square (Singapore)
Laminate wood flooring and LVP/T are no doubt two of the most affordable and durable floor options in the market today. There are, however, a few key differences between these dark horses. The main difference is the material of its core layer, and therein lies the slight variation in their functionality. Laminate flooring has an image of wood printed on composite wood or fibreboard instead of a polymer core that vinyl planks typically come with. This inner core gives laminate wood flooring the “feel” of real wood, making it warm to the touch. If combined with foam underlays, the sound generated in areas with high foot traffic can be reduced too.
How does this wonderful option perform from room to room in? Laminate flooring has been manufactured to be a product that can be installed anywhere. Though not completely waterproof, tending to its inner composite or fibreboard with care will suffice in protecting it from moisture damage. As long as pools of liquid are wiped clean, its water-resistant feature will provide it with sufficient protection.
The laminate flooring can also be installed in other rooms like the kitchen or playroom. Its properties include scratch and stain resistance, excellent insulation and low susceptibility to subfloor imperfections. The thick scratch-resistance layer can take a beating and protects your floor from abrasions by pets and indentations from fallen objects. Its thickness hides imperfections of uneven surfaces, allowing homeowners to save costs on floor levelling during a renovation. The non-porous, stain-resistant layer makes it safe for kitchen floors and kids play areas. Furthermore, since the temperature of the laminate floors does not fluctuate easily, its surface remains warm to the touch, constantly providing comfort.
They say, “good things don’t come easy. If you get it cheap, you will lose it quick” – but laminate wood flooring is an exception. It is not only durable but also resistant to wear and tear. These characteristics alone suffice in giving other floor options a run for its money. Being a comfortable medium between LVP/T and engineered wood, laminate floors offer the best of both worlds – you will get the warmness and look of real hardwood floors, along with the water and traffic resistance of LVP/T. With its similarity to engineered wood, the closest alternative to real wood, and LVP/T with which it shares common features, laminate flooring is an option to consider then when deciding on the ideal floor for your home.
Both vinyl and laminate flooring offer a cohesive look of high-quality real wood at the fraction of the cost. Having discussed the specifications of both products, you may have a better idea of the ideal option in creating your perfect modern home setting. As with any major interior decision, it is always best to see and feel your options in person. Floor installations can make a big difference in the vibe of your home, so let us help you make the right floor choices.