Which is better: laminate or quartz vinyl

Modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of diverse floor coverings ranging from the well-known and affordable linoleum to the prestigious typesetting. However, more and more buyers opt for laminate or quartz vinyl tiles. These are fairly new coatings, but both materials have their followers.

Laminate Features

This is a multilayer material with a base from a wood board, which gives strength and resistance to deformation. The top layer and edges are treated with a special water-repellent coating. The figure itself is located under the top layer, basically it is an imitation of various species of trees, stone or ceramic tiles. Laminate advantages:

1. Easy to install and remove. The lamellas have a locking joint system, which allows you to quickly draw the surface. It does not attach directly to the floor, which makes it possible to also quickly disassemble it if necessary. Re-laying is allowed if, during dismantling, the lamella clutch locks are not damaged. Small irregularities in the floor will help hide the backing.
2. Material strength. Thanks to the protective layer, the laminate can withstand mechanical loads pretty well - standing furniture, heels, claws of pets. However, falling heavy objects can split the panel.
3. Ease of care. The floor is easy to wipe off all kinds of stains, even stubborn ones like coffee or wine. It is enough to wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. Small defects are eliminated with a special repair kit from a set of wax crayons, pastes and putties.
4. Resistance to burning.
5. A variety of patterns and colors.
6. A wide range of lamella thicknesses. In combination with the substrate, this will provide additional noise and heat insulation of the room.
7. Long service life and the ability to choose a material of various abrasion resistance.

By cons include:

• Fear of water.
• The volume of the sound of the steps (removed by a good substrate).
• The need for pre-leveling the floor.
• Inability to replace one damaged lamella without removing all previous ones.
• When heated, it can release formaldehyde, which is harmful to people with hypersensitivity to chemical components.

Features of Quartz Vinyl Tile

This stuff is pretty new. It belongs to PVC coatings, but differs from them by the presence of a large amount of quartz sand (up to 80%), so it is more likely a material of natural origin. It has a high level of strength, practically does not wash and is not afraid of water, so you can lay such a coating both in living rooms, in bathrooms and even on open balconies. Pros of quartz vinyl tile:

1. Simple installation. The tile is either glued to the prepared base, or fastened with a lock connection. If one part is damaged, it is possible to replace it without removing the entire coating. The base should be perfectly aligned with screed or plywood sheets.
2. Material strength. The tile will not be damaged even if heavy objects fall.
3. Ease of care. Such a coating is not afraid of water, so it can be washed at least daily. The protective layer prevents the formation of non-erasable stains.
4. Resistance to burning and chemical attack. Ecologically harmless.
5. A variety of colors and patterns.
6. Long term of operation.
7. Good noise isolator, perfectly absorbs the sounds of steps.
8. It has an antistatic effect.

By cons include:

• The material is quite expensive.
• The small thickness of the tile and the absence of a substrate reduces the noise and heat insulation of the room.
• Pre perfect floor leveling.

What is better laminate or quartz vinyl

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the laminate should not be laid in rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen, bathroom, balconies and terraces. In other places, both materials are perfect for room decoration. In this case, the laminate will be cheaper, but it will look more aesthetically pleasing due to fewer joints. It is easier to stack and provides greater heat and noise insulation. However, it is quite noisy in itself. And when replacing a damaged area, it will require removal of the entire floor and rearrangement of furniture.

So, if the buyer is not afraid of perfect floor leveling and has sufficient financial means, then it is better to opt for quartz vinyl tiles, otherwise a laminate is perfect.