What is the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl plank for NB homes?

The fundamental difference between laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is their core material and how they handle moisture — and in New Brunswick's Maritime climate, this distinction matters more than in most provinces. Laminate has an HDF (high-density fibreboard) core made from wood fibres, which means it absorbs water and swells when exposed to moisture. LVP has a plastic-based core (either SPC or WPC), making it 100% waterproof. For NB homeowners dealing with spring snowmelt, humid summers, and basement moisture, this is often the deciding factor.

Laminate flooring uses a photographic image layer protected by a melamine wear layer bonded to that HDF core. Quality AC4 or AC5-rated laminate runs $2 to $5 per square foot for materials in New Brunswick, with installation adding $2 to $4 per square foot for a fully installed cost of $4 to $8 per square foot. Laminate excels at replicating the look and underfoot feel of real hardwood — the rigid HDF core gives it a solid, natural sound when walked on, and the best modern laminates are nearly indistinguishable from wood visually. It holds up well in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways where moisture exposure is minimal and humidity is controlled.

Laminate's weakness in NB is moisture vulnerability. Water that reaches the HDF core through seams, edges, or the underside causes permanent swelling — the damage cannot be reversed. Standard laminate is not suitable for NB bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, or entryways where snowmelt gets tracked in during the long winter. Water-resistant laminate products with wax-treated cores offer some protection against brief spills but are still not truly waterproof.

Luxury vinyl plank uses a solid plastic core topped with a photographic print layer and a urethane wear layer. Quality LVP costs $3 to $7 per square foot for materials in NB (premium brands like COREtec, Mannington Adura, and Shaw Floorte run $5 to $8), with installation adding $2 to $5 per square foot for a fully installed cost of $5 to $12 per square foot. LVP is completely waterproof — you can submerge it and it will not swell, warp, or degrade. This makes it suitable for every room in a New Brunswick home, including basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.

LVP also handles NB's dramatic humidity swings better than laminate. While both products expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, LVP's plastic core has less dimensional movement than laminate's wood-fibre core. This means fewer issues with gapping in dry NB winters and less risk of buckling during humid Maritime summers, though proper expansion gaps (10-12mm) are still required for both products.

The trade-offs to consider include feel and sound. Laminate generally feels more solid and sounds more like real wood underfoot, while thinner LVP can feel slightly hollow or plasticky, particularly cheaper products. Adding a quality cork underlayment ($1 to $2 per square foot) under LVP improves both warmth and sound. Durability also differs — laminate's melamine surface resists scratches better than most LVP wear layers, but LVP's flexibility makes it more dent-resistant when heavy objects are dropped. For homes with large dogs, LVP's softer surface may show scratch patterns more readily than a high-AC-rated laminate.

For New Brunswick homes specifically, LVP is the safer all-around choice because of the province's moisture challenges. If you are flooring a basement, bathroom, kitchen, or entryway, LVP is the clear winner. For upper-floor bedrooms and living spaces where moisture is not a concern and you want the most wood-like feel at the lowest cost, quality laminate remains an excellent option. Many NB homeowners use a combination — LVP on the main floor and in wet areas, laminate in upstairs bedrooms — to balance performance and budget. Both products install as floating click-lock systems, making them among the most DIY-friendly options available.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• M&L Commercial and residential services
• FRS Flooring Solutions
• Forever Epoxy Inc
• Arctic Fox Construction Inc.
• Modern Epoxy Inc