Vinyl Plank vs. Laminate: Which Should You Choose?

By Anthony Hudson · Updated August 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Vinyl plank (LVP) is fully waterproof and feels softer underfoot; laminate looks slightly more like real wood and often costs less. The right choice depends almost entirely on the room.

Water resistance is the deciding factor

LVP is 100% waterproof — the core itself, not just a coating — making it the clear choice for bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and mudrooms. Laminate's wood-fiber core swells if water sits on it for more than a few hours, even with "water-resistant" marketing on the box. For any room where spills or humidity are a real risk, LVP wins without much debate.

Look, feel, and cost

Laminate's printed layer sits under a hard, glossy wear layer and can look slightly more convincing as real wood grain up close. LVP feels warmer and quieter underfoot (closer to real flooring, less of a hollow "click" sound) and typically runs $2–$5/sq ft versus laminate's $1.50–$4.50 — a modest premium for the water resistance.

Installation is nearly identical

Both use click-lock floating systems most DIYers can install in a weekend. Our flooring calculator works for either — box counts scale the same way once you know your product's coverage per box.