Warmth Underfoot: How Vinyl and Laminate Feel in Utah’s Climate
When choosing new flooring for your Riverdale home, it’s easy to focus only on color and durability. But in a climate like Utah’s, where we experience chilly, long winters, comfort and warmth underfoot are just as crucial. How a floor feels—both in temperature and sound—can make a huge difference in your daily living experience.
At Buckway’s Flooring & Design, we understand that Utah homeowners need floors that are not only beautiful but also cozy and quiet. Here’s a look at how vinyl and laminate perform regarding temperature, comfort, and acoustics.
Temperature: Banish the Morning Chill
The temperature of a floor surface is primarily affected by the material’s thermal mass and how it interacts with the air in the room.
Laminate Flooring: Laminate has an HDF (High-Density Fiberboard) core, which is denser than vinyl. This core can sometimes feel cooler to the touch than vinyl, especially when first walking on it in the morning. However, laminate is generally warmer than tile or stone. It’s an excellent candidate for radiant heating systems because the dense core transfers heat efficiently and evenly.
Vinyl Flooring (LVP/LVT): Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is often considered the winner for warmth underfoot. Because LVP is made primarily of PVC, which is a softer material, it quickly matches the ambient temperature of the room. It rarely feels icy cold, making it a very comfortable option for bare feet, especially in bedrooms and main living areas.
Comfort: Softness Underfoot
This refers to the give or resilience of the floor, which impacts fatigue and joint comfort.
Vinyl (LVP): LVP is the more resilient choice. Its structure, sometimes including a flexible backing layer, offers a slight cushion when you walk on it. This makes it a great choice for areas where you stand for long periods, like the kitchen or laundry room. Many LVP products also come with an attached pad that boosts comfort and warmth.
Laminate: Laminate is a “harder” floor due to its rigid HDF core. While it’s durable, it offers less give than vinyl. Adding a high-quality foam or cork underlayment is essential to improve shock absorption and comfort when installing laminate.
Acoustics: Quieting the Home
In a multi-story Utah home, the noise of footsteps, pets, and dropped items can travel far. A floor’s acoustic performance is vital for a peaceful environment.
Laminate Flooring: Without an underlayment, laminate can be loud. The hard, rigid core often produces a distinct, hollow click-clack sound when walked on. Adding a quality, sound-dampening underlayment is non-negotiable for laminate. A dense underlayment minimizes sound transfer and makes the floor sound more solid.
Vinyl (LVP): Due to its softer composition, LVP naturally absorbs more impact and sound than laminate. For extra quiet, look for LVP products with an integrated acoustic backing. When professionally installed over a flat subfloor, LVP typically provides a much quieter walking surface right out of the box.
Ready to find a floor that looks great and feels fantastic on your feet? Stop by the Buckway’s Flooring & Design showroom in Riverdale, UT. We can show you samples with built-in padding, discuss the best underlayment options for your space, and help you select a floor that keeps your home cozy all winter long. Speak with Dallas Jr. or Daniel today to start your project!