Both cheap and easy DIY, surface water proof and last 10-20 years
| Laminate | Vinyl |
| Wood fiber(7layers) | Plastic (thiner) |
| Pergo, Shaw, Mohawk, Armstrong, Tarkett | Lifeproof, Shaw, Mohawk, Cali, Armstrong |
| AC rating 1-5: less to more traffic | Wear layer thickness: 12ml residential, 20ml high traffic, 28ml commercial |
| Thick so feel warmer and softer | Looks more realistic |
| Cheaper $2.69/sqft | $3.29/sqft |
| Need acclimate inside for 48hours | no acclimate needed |
| Cut with circular saw or table saw | Circular or table saw. luxury vinyl scored with utility knife |
| Installed as floating floor | Floating, loose lay or glued down |
| Scratch resistant but not proof | Better scratch resistant but not proof |
| Swell up after soaking water | Can be dry up and reuse after soaking |
| Only water resistant ones water proof | All vinyl water proof |
| Caught on fire easily and melt | Melt with strong fumes |
| Recycling eco friendly | Glued down could be hard to recycle |