Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and laminate are the two most popular wood-look floors we sell. Both click together over most subfloors and cost less than hardwood, but they are built differently, and that matters in a home.
How they are made
LVP is vinyl all the way through. Rigid-core versions (SPC) have a stone-plastic core that stays flat and stable. Laminate has a high-density wood-fiber core under a printed photo layer and a hard wear layer.
Water
Most LVP is waterproof, which makes it the safe choice for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and homes with pets. Standard laminate can swell if water sits on the seams. Newer waterproof laminates close that gap, so check the warranty for topical water protection.
Scratches and wear
Laminate's wear layer is very hard and resists scratches from pet claws and furniture well. Look at the AC rating: AC3 handles busy homes, and AC4 or AC5 handles light commercial use. For LVP, look at the wear layer in mil: 12 mil is fine for bedrooms, and 20 mil or more is better for busy rooms.
Feel and sound
LVP is softer and quieter underfoot. Laminate feels more like real wood but can sound hollow without a good underlayment.
Our quick rule
- Kitchens, baths, pets, ground-floor rooms: LVP
- Living rooms and bedrooms where scratch resistance and a real-wood feel matter most: laminate or waterproof laminate
- Want real wood? See our engineered hardwood.
We carry LVP and laminate from Shaw, COREtec, Mohawk, Mega Clic, McMillan, Lago Flooring, Alana Floor and more. Bring your room size and we'll compare options side by side.
Get a free quote. Send us your square footage on our quote request page, call (818) 203-1168, or visit the Gomez Flooring Company showroom at 12610 Glenoaks Blvd #8, Sylmar, CA 91342.
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