Vinyl VS Laminate: What's Better for Flooring Installation in Dallas?

So, you're thinking about flooring installation in Dallas. Perhaps you've spent hours looking through remodel magazines or scrolling Pinterest and already know exactly what you want done in your home. But more likely, you've just started the research process, were exploring your various options and wound up on this blog.

Whether you plan on re-doing the floors throughout your living spaces or just want to touch up a couple rooms, it can be hard to decide on a material. Sometimes, the use of a given room helps dictate what material might be best. For instance, in the bathroom, ceramic tile might be a good option. However, for your main living areas, most homeowners land on vinyl or laminate—which is why we put together this blog, helping homeowners in Dallas know which is best suited for their needs.

No matter which material you choose, the pros at Mr. Handyman of Dallas will be able to install it for you. Once you book a convenient appointment with one of our friendly office staff, we'll send over a Dallas handyman expert to get the job done right the first time. Our technicians are accustomed to working with both vinyl and laminate—as well as a range of other flooring installation options. No matter the installation method required, square-footage or aesthetic you’re going for, we offer professional installation services to clients throughout the Dallas area. Keep reading to learn more about the merits and drawbacks of vinyl and laminate flooring.

Pros of Vinyl

There are many kinds of resilient materials, including linoleum and even cork, but among them vinyl plank is by-far the most popular for many homes in Dallas. Discover why below.

Water-Resistant

Vinyl is made out of a type of plastic called PVC (polyvinyl chloride), meaning it's water-resistant. This makes it an ideal choice for common areas like living rooms and foyers in Dallas, and also for humid spaces like the bathroom or kitchen.

Low-Maintenance

Arguably one of the greatest benefits of this material is that it's very easy to take care of. It can be cleaned with a broom and conventional mop and bucket. It doesn't stain easily, it's dent-resistant and great if you have pets. Unlike other materials like solid hardwood, vinyl will not scratch under claws and paws. Also, it does not need to be sealed or refinished like other options such as slate or hardwood flooring.

Inexpensive

Vinyl is very inexpensive. While there was a time when this material looked as “cheap” as it costs, these days the material has increased in quality while remaining budget friendly. Whether you're working on a smaller budget or have money to burn, it is an excellent flooring installation choice.

Quality Finishes

As we mentioned above, new technological advances have made vinyl look like genuine wood, stone and even marble tiles! The photographic overlays on this material can even emulate the look of real grout. Not to mention, it's available in an assortment of color options and patterns. These days, there is even a material called luxury vinyl plank, which is a more luxurious option for homeowners in Dallas who only want the best.

Soft Underfoot

Vinyl is very pliable, which means that it also springs back a little when you walk on it. This makes it quite pleasant to walk on, rather than feeling too hard or uncomfortable under your feet.

Cons of Vinyl

Although this flooring installation material sounds almost too good to be true, it does have its downsides.

Difficult to Repair & Remove

Once the adhesive used to hold vinyl tiles in place hardens, it's incredibly difficult to remove. Yet, should you choose to renovate down the road, it would still be possible to do so. With the help of a hardworking handyman team, such as the experts at Mr. Handyman of Dallas, we'll be able to carefully remove it in preparation for another material to be laid on top.

That said, the backing glue also makes it difficult to replace sections of vinyl. Unlike tiles, where if you have one broken tile it can be easily swapped out, vinyl planks are so secured it makes floor repair very difficult.

May Fade in Sunlight

Although most modern vinyl materials are made with UV protection, they still may fade when exposed to sunny areas over long periods of time in Dallas. This could cause certain areas to look lighter than the rest of it.

Pros of Laminate

Laminate offers a range of benefits for homeowners when it comes to flooring installation in Dallas. Or does it? Find out below.

Emulates Real Wood & Tile

Contemporary laminate is almost impossible to tell from the materials it copies, such as hard wood or tile. Made out of layers of synthetic material with a photo appliqué on top, modern-day cameras have made all the difference when it comes to giving this material its realistic appearance. Truly beautiful flooring, laminate has many color variations and is also available in a range of styles and patterns.

Long-Lasting

Depending on how well you care for it, laminate can last between 15 and 25 years. It is a very durable option for flooring installation in Dallas. Unlike solid wood, which scratches easily when pets walk on it, laminate is not prone to scratching, cracking or denting; it's designed to last.

Easy to Install

When it comes to flooring installation, the process for laminate is very easy. The edges and ends of laminate planks or tiles are designed to snap together. It's almost as if the pieces fall into place on your behalf!

Low-Maintenance

Similarly, to vinyl, laminate is very low maintenance. It can be swept clean with a product like Swiffer to help it stay in pristine condition. Unlike other materials like slate or solid hardwood, laminate does not need to be sealed or refinished. However, it's not advised to use a mop and bucket on laminate because it's prone to water damage.

Cons of Laminate

Sounds like an excellent choice for your flooring installation project in Dallas, right? But there are a few disadvantages of laminate too.

Moisture Issues

As we hinted at above, water is laminate's nemesis. Even small amounts of moisture that are not wiped away promptly can cause it to warp and buckle. That's why you should not use a mop and bucket on laminate, and promptly clean up any messes.

Hard Underfoot

Laminate does not have any give or spring. This can make it feel a little hard underfoot and slightly less comfortable to walk on compared to its plastic counterpart. Since it's quite hard, it's also a bit noisier to walk on—especially for pets running up and down the stairs.

Pro Tip: Can't Decide?

If you're still stuck wondering whether which choice is better for your Dallas home, why not consider Vinyl Composite Core? Also known as VCC, this relatively new product combines the best features of both laminate and luxury vinyl. Composite vinyl has rigid planks that click together—similar to laminate. However, the planks are made from a waterproof composite material. This means you could place this material throughout your home—even in the bathroom—without worrying about the effects of water damage. Thus, making it an excellent choice for flooring installation in Dallas.

What to Think About Before Investing in Flooring Installation Services:

There are a number of things to consider before choosing the right material for your flooring installation in Dallas—whether the debate has come down to vinyl versus laminate, or you're thinking about another material entirely. After deciding on the best choice for you, our expert technicians at Mr. Handyman of Dallas are more than happy to help you get the floors of your dreams with our flooring installation services.

Where Will Your Floors Be Installed?

Different areas of homes in Dallas have different flooring installation considerations. For instance, are you looking to update the floors in a high-moisture environment, like your bathroom? Then, concrete, tile or vinyl may be your best option.

If you’re installing flooring in an area that gets a lot of sunlight, it’s best to choose fade-resistant materials like laminate or engineered hardwood—unlike vinyl, which can fade.

Lastly, will the material be in an area of high traffic? If you are installing flooring in the kitchen or foyer, an option like hardwood or porcelain tile will be both durable and long-lasting.

Do You Need Pet-Friendly Floors?

If you have pets—particularly dogs—then you need to have a scratch resistant floor. Although some materials may seem like they intuitively would be scratch resistant, this is not always the case. For example, hardwood is actually very easily scratched. Meanwhile, cats can seriously damage carpet with their own little claws. The best choices for pet owners in Dallas are ceramic tile, vinyl or laminate.

Do You Need a Low Maintenance Option for Flooring Installation in Dallas?

If you don’t have the time to invest in constantly maintaining your floors, then you need a material for flooring installation that is easy to take care of. For instance, vinyl is probably your best choice. If you don’t like the look of that option, then laminate is a close second. It's best to avoid materials like slate or hardwood that need to be frequently sealed/refinished.

Does Your Family Have Allergies?

If your family has allergies to dust and dander, then you should avoid carpet at all costs. Rather, hard, flat surfaces like tile and hardwood are easier to keep clean. The cleaner you can keep your surfaces, the more allergens will be kept to a minimum.

What’s Your Style?

Aside from function, your personal taste and design vision is one of the most important considerations for what material you choose to have installed in Dallas. For example, do you prefer a light and airy aesthetic? If so, consider a lighter colored option. Alternatively, dark colors add depth, warmth and coziness to a room.

Also, how would you describe your tastes? Whether you like minimal, rustic, country rustic, cottage-core or another style all together, most aesthetics fall into either traditional or contemporary. Thin planks create a classic aesthetic, whereas wide planks look more modern. It's also worth noting that wide planks or large tile squares can make a small space feel larger.

Mr. Handyman of Dallas Flooring Installation Services

Our qualified technicians possess many years of experience in the trades and offer a range of flooring installation services—not just for vinyl and laminate installation in Dallas. Whether you want to swap out your carpets for tile or need to replace a damaged section, our helpful and hardworking team can help you with any of your flooring installation needs.

Tile Installation & Repairs

The team at Mr. Handyman of Dallas can lay a wide range of tile varieties. Whether you want to remove dated vinyl from your bathroom and replace it with ceramic tiling or you want to update the tiles in your kitchen, we’ve got it covered. Our experts can also assist with caulking repairs and replacing old grout.

Laminate & Vinyl Installation and Repairs

From repairing damaged laminate to installing new vinyl floors, our hardworking technicians will ensure the job gets done right the first time. With our years of experience and dedication to outstanding customer service, you can trust your Dallas home is in the best hands.

Hardwood Installation & Repairs

Hardwood is an elegant and long-lasting choice for flooring installation in Dallas. While hardwood can last through the decades, it's still quite susceptible to damage. When your hardwood floors become damaged, our skillful team can help. We can replace damaged boards, refinish scratched areas or lay down completely new hardwood floors depending on what your Dallas home needs.

Hire Our Pro Team for Flooring Installation in Dallas!

Although there are many materials for Dallas homeowners to choose from, we hope this guide helped to narrow down your options. When you're ready to start laying down your new floors, give our pro team a call. Our experts will help bring your design vision to life with our professional installation services. From providing floor repairs and installation to assisting with many other handyman services, we’ve helped clients with their home improvement dreams throughout the Dallas area, including in Garland, Mesquite and Balch Springs.

To get started today, we invite you to call our friendly customer service team to book an installer today. We look forward to working with you and helping with your next flooring installation project!