Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Experts

Laminate is a layered floor. A dense high-density fiberboard (HDF) core gives it stiffness, a photographic layer supplies the wood or stone look, and a clear wear layer on top resists scratches and scuffs. The planks click together and float over the subfloor, so installation is usually quick and doesn’t need adhesive.

Waterproof vs. water-resistant laminate

The two labels are not interchangeable. Standard laminate is only water-resistant: the surface sheds a quick spill, but the fiberboard core swells if water sits in the seams or soaks in from below. Waterproof laminate uses a sealed or modified core and tighter locking edges to hold up longer against moisture. In Florida that matters most in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, where a dishwasher leak or a washer overflow can put water on the floor. Even waterproof laminate is not meant for standing water, so we talk through the room before recommending it.

Laminate or LVP?

Laminate is the harder surface. It tends to resist scratches better and often has a more realistic wood texture, which suits living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. LVP is vinyl all the way through, so it is the safer pick for wet areas and for any room where moisture is a regular concern. If you aren’t sure which fits a given room, we can compare samples of both in your home.

Laminate over a concrete slab

Most Central Florida homes sit on a concrete slab, and slabs release moisture vapor. Laminate going over one needs a moisture barrier between the slab and the planks, usually with an underlayment on top of it. The slab also needs to be flat: low spots and ridges are filled or ground before installation so the click-lock joints don’t flex and open over time. Expansion gaps are left along the walls and covered by baseboard or trim, because laminate expands and contracts with humidity.

Tell us the room and the subfloor, and we’ll help you choose between laminate and LVP.

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