Homeowners looking for budget-friendly flooring options have easy-care properties, and high durability, laminate, linoleum, and vinyl flooring in Sydney are the best ones available in the market. The choice one makes about their flooring affects the appearance of the house interiors, cleaning and maintenance, installation process, lifespan and durability.
What Are Laminate, Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a synthetic product that replicates the appearance of real hardwood. It is a popular choice among homeowners who would like a rustic, wood look for their homes on a budget.
Linoleum flooring is a thick mixture of linoleum cement made of oxidized linseed oil. The flooring sheets are made of cement, pine resin and wood flour on a jute backing. The linoleum can be substituted with other materials like polyvinyl chloride-based on one’s needs.
Vinyl is one of the most durable types of flooring as it is made from multiple thick layers of synthetic material like PVC vinyl, fibreglass and a plasticizer. The thick core makes it comfortable for everyday rough use and highly resistant to moisture.
What Are the Differences Between Them?
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Appearance
Laminate flooring has a deep three-dimensional finish on its surface, with the lamination depicting the realistic appearance of materials like ceramic, wood or stone. Homeowners looking to give a classy look under budget, this is the one to go for.
Linoleum floors take on designs and patterns from natural looks like wood and carry patterns through the material. It is great for creating embedded designs, large patterns or colour blocks. They are also available in a wide range of colours.
Vinyl flooring is known for its realistic and luxurious appeal and textures that mimic natural stone and hardwood. Multi-width plank and rustic wood with finishing effects like scraping, liming and whitewashing are some of the trending styles. They are also available in a wide range of colours, including subtle and bold ones.
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Installation
Laminate floorings use the click-and-lock method, where the groove of one plank fits the tongue of the other at a particular angle. The boards are drawn closer together by folding them until they come to the same level.
Linoleum floors are relatively more difficult to install as they are harder and stiffer to work with. Durable linoleum sheets must be installed through the complex process of glueing them directly on the subfloor and treating the surface with a sealant topcoat to protect it against water.
Vinyl floors are relatively easier to install as they only require a click-and-lock method to install. The planks are cut into sheets or tiles of required sizes and are glued onto the floor. As they are resilient and less susceptible to water damage, they need not be sealed or waxed after installation.
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Maintenance and Durability
Laminate flooring is known for its high durability and low maintenance. But the only disadvantage is that it has poor water resistance. And if one part of the floor is scratched or damaged, the whole floor has to be replaced. Linoleum floors have good durability, but they come with relatively more maintenance. Periodic flooding, sweeping and vacuuming is necessary to keep it clean.
Vinyl flooring is highly water-resistant and has decent durability when it is made of good quality. It requires low maintenance and can be cleaned with simple vacuuming, sweeping or mopping occasionally.
Before deciding about laminate, linoleum and vinyl flooring in Sydney, it is highly recommended to contact professionals from floor installation companies