Two of the most popular flooring choices in Edmonton right now are laminate and luxury vinyl plank — and they’re easy to confuse. Both look like hardwood. Both are affordable. Both install as floating floors. But they’re fundamentally different products, and the right choice depends on where you’re installing, how you live, and what you’re willing to spend.
Here’s a straightforward comparison of laminate vs LVP flooring to help Edmonton homeowners make the right call.
What’s the Core Difference?
The biggest difference between laminate and LVP is what they’re made of:
- Laminate has a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core — a wood-based material. It’s topped with a photographic layer and a clear wear layer.
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) has a PVC-based core — either rigid (SPC) or flexible (WPC). It’s fully synthetic from top to bottom.
That core difference is what drives most of the performance differences between the two products.
Waterproofing: LVP Wins
This is the most important difference for many Edmonton homeowners. Standard laminate is not waterproof. Its HDF core absorbs moisture — standing water, pet accidents, or a wet mop left too long can cause it to swell, warp, and delaminate permanently.
LVP, being fully synthetic, is 100% waterproof. You can install it in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements without worry. Spills, pet accidents, and seasonal humidity changes don’t affect it the same way.
Waterproof laminate products do exist — those with WPC or SPC cores — and they close this gap significantly. But for truly wet areas, LVP remains the safer default. See our LVP flooring page for our full vinyl range.
Durability and Scratch Resistance
Both products are durable, but in different ways:
- Laminate often has a harder, more scratch-resistant surface than LVP — particularly high-AC-rated products (AC4 and AC5). The melamine wear layer on premium laminate can outperform vinyl in pure scratch resistance.
- LVP is more dent-resistant and flexible underfoot. Its vinyl composition handles impact better — less likely to chip at edges or corners under heavy furniture.
For homes with large dogs or heavy furniture being moved frequently, LVP’s flexibility gives it an edge. For homes where surface scratching from grit and foot traffic is the main concern, a high-AC laminate competes well.
Feel and Sound Underfoot
Laminate — especially thicker products (10–12mm) with a quality underpad — often feels more solid and sounds less hollow underfoot than LVP. The HDF core has a density and rigidity that some homeowners prefer.
LVP, particularly WPC products, has improved significantly in this area. Premium LVP with an attached underlayment can feel remarkably close to laminate. Budget LVP, however, can feel thin and hollow — something worth checking in person at a showroom before buying.
Installation: Where Each Can Go
Both laminate and LVP install as floating floors — the planks click together and aren’t fastened to the subfloor. But their subfloor and location requirements differ:
- Laminate: Suitable above grade and on grade over wood or concrete subfloors with a moisture barrier. Not recommended for below-grade (basement) installations with standard HDF core, or in wet rooms.
- LVP: Can go anywhere — above grade, on grade, and below grade. Over concrete, in basements, in bathrooms and kitchens. Its waterproof core handles moisture conditions that laminate can’t.
For Edmonton homes with finished or semi-finished basements, LVP is almost always the better choice.
Appearance: How Close to Real Wood?
Both products have improved dramatically in realism. High-end laminate with embossed-in-register (EIR) texture is strikingly realistic — the grain texture aligns with the printed pattern, and the variation between planks is convincing.
Premium LVP has also closed the gap, with realistic textures and longer plank formats that look very close to hardwood. In a finished room, most guests won’t be able to tell either one apart from real wood at a glance.
If realism is your top priority, view both side by side in person. The difference between budget and premium versions of each product is significant.
Cost Comparison
Both products sit in a similar price range, though there’s overlap at every tier:
- Laminate (installed): $4 to $9.50 per sq ft
- LVP (installed): $5 to $14 per sq ft
Budget laminate is slightly cheaper than budget LVP. At the premium end, waterproof laminate and premium LVP cost similarly. Both are significantly less expensive than hardwood.
Which Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- Installing in a bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, or basement? Go LVP.
- Installing in a bedroom, living room, or above-grade space with no moisture concerns? Either works well — choose based on feel and budget.
- Want maximum scratch resistance at the lowest price? High-AC laminate is hard to beat.
- Have kids and pets and want the most forgiving floor overall? LVP is the safer choice.
The team at LCF Flooring can help you compare products side by side and make the right call for your specific rooms and lifestyle. Visit our showroom or contact us for a free quote. We carry both luxury vinyl plank and laminate — and we’ll give you an honest recommendation based on your situation. Ask about our financing options if you’re planning a multi-room project.