Laminate or Luxury Vinyl Plank for a Las Vegas Downstairs

If you're redoing the downstairs of a Las Vegas home, you've probably noticed that the two most popular choices look almost alike from across the room. Both can look like wood. Both can look like stone. Both come in wide planks with a tidy click-together edge. So which one belongs in your living room, kitchen and hallway? At Affordable Flooring & More we carry both laminate and luxury vinyl plank, and we'll give you a straight answer instead of steering you toward whichever one we happen to have more of. Here's how we think about it.

Where we land on laminate

Our own FAQ puts it this way: "Laminate of today is waterproof, extremely scratch-resistant, and durable." That matches what we see in homes. For most downstairs rooms we think laminate is the better overall choice, and it's the one we reach for first when a family wants a floor that can take daily life. Today's laminate has come a long way from what many people remember, and it comes in wood-look, stone-look and tile-look styles, so you aren't giving up the style you want.

Why luxury vinyl plank is still a great option

None of that means LVP is the wrong call. It's still a great option, and it's the more commonly used of the two, which means you'll find a wide spread of colors and plank styles to choose from. It's waterproof, it feels a little softer underfoot than a hard surface, and it works well in kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms where spills and splashes happen. We carry quality selections of both, including Pergo Extreme, Lion's Flooring and Paradigm in luxury vinyl plank, so the decision comes down to your house and your habits, not what happens to be on our shelf.

What a Las Vegas downstairs asks of a floor

Think about what your ground floor actually deals with. Sand and grit come in on shoes and paws, and they act like fine sandpaper on any surface. The air is dry, the sun is strong, and afternoon light through west-facing windows can be hard on floors and furniture alike. Most homes run the air conditioning for a large part of the year, so the floor sits in a fairly steady indoor climate. A downstairs is also where the kitchen, the entry, the dog's water bowl and the kids' backpacks all live.

That combination is why scratch resistance and water tolerance matter more than the name on the box. Walk-off mats at the doors help either floor, and window coverings in the late afternoon protect both the planks and your furniture. Whichever floor you pick, sweep or vacuum the grit often, because grit does more damage over time than almost anything you can spill.

A real downstairs swap

One customer had laminate installed to replace the tile downstairs, and they weren't sure at first whether to go with laminate or LVP. They talked the choice through with our team, came away more confident about laminate, and said in their Google review that everyone was helpful and knowledgeable. They also mentioned that the people in our office were patient and kind, and that the field supervisor and the installer were professional and courteous. The final product left them happy.

Replacing tile is a common request. Tile is hard underfoot, grout lines collect dirt, and one cracked tile can bother you for years. Laminate can often be installed over existing vinyl, tile or hardwood as long as the surface underneath is flat and clean, and we check that during the estimate. When old tile has to come out, demolition becomes part of the job, and we plan for it ahead of time so your day isn't a surprise.

Questions to ask before you choose

• How much water will this room see? Kitchens, entries and laundry areas get more splashes than a dining room.
• Do you have dogs, kids, or both? Scratch resistance matters most where claws, toys and chair legs travel.
• What's under your floor now? A flat, clean surface gives you more options than a damaged one.
• Do you want a particular look? Wood, stone and tile looks are available in both laminate and LVP.
• How long will you be in the house? Either floor holds up well, so pick the one you'll still like in a few years.

What the install looks like

For laminate, an average room usually takes 1 to 2 days, and larger spaces run 3 to 5 days. We do the heavy furniture lifting, and our own trained crew does the installation, not subcontractors. Every installation carries our 2-year installation warranty, plus whatever manufacturer warranty comes with the product you choose.

If you'd like to see both floors side by side, stop by the showroom at 6535 N Buffalo Dr, Suite 110, or call (702) 658-6008. The laminate page and the luxury vinyl plank page on our site, both under /services, list the brands and what each install covers. Estimates are free and come with no obligation.