The difference that decides it is water. Luxury vinyl plank is fully waterproof; laminate is not. Laminate has a slightly harder surface and resists scratching marginally better, but its fibreboard core swells permanently if water sits at a seam.
Side by side
| Luxury vinyl plank | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $5 to $11 per sq ft | $4 to $8 per sq ft |
| Waterproof | Yes | No (water resistant at best) |
| Core | Rigid stone or wood polymer | High density fibreboard |
| Surface | Vinyl wear layer | Melamine wear layer |
| Scratch resistance | Very good | Excellent |
| Dent resistance | Good (SPC) | Very good |
| Below grade | Yes | No |
| Underfoot | Softer, quieter | Harder, louder |
Where each one belongs
Laminate: bedrooms, living rooms, hallways and home offices. Dry rooms where its harder surface is an advantage and water is unlikely.
Luxury vinyl plank: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, basements, and any home with pets or young children. Also the right answer if one continuous floor has to run through all of it.
What water actually does to laminate
Water-resistant laminate handles a spill wiped up within a few hours. It does not handle a dishwasher leak overnight, a pet accident left until morning, or standing water at a doorway. When the fibreboard core absorbs water it swells at the seam, and the damage cannot be sanded or dried back out. That single failure mode is why we steer most kitchens away from it.
The scratch question
Laminate genuinely does resist scratching slightly better, because melamine is harder than a vinyl wear layer. In practice a 20-mil commercial-grade vinyl wear layer is difficult enough to damage that the difference rarely decides anything in a home. If you have large dogs and a completely dry room, laminate has a small edge.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a steam mop on either?
No, on both. Steam forces moisture into seams, which is where both are most vulnerable, and it voids most warranties.
Which is quieter?
Vinyl, noticeably. Laminate over a hard subfloor can sound hollow. Good underlayment closes some of the gap.
Which lasts longer?
Similar, fifteen to twenty-five years in normal residential use. Wear layer and AC rating matter more than the category.