Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Cost Comparison 2026
Laminate is cheaper. Installed, laminate runs $3.39 to $7.39 per sq ft and rigid-core LVP $5.19 to $9.72, on Floor & Decor and Home Depot shelf prices and Home Depot's published labour, checked 14 October 2026. For 500 sq ft that is $1,695 to $3,695 for laminate against $2,595 to $4,860 for LVP. Pay the difference where water is the risk: the vinyl planks are sold as waterproof, and only some laminate lines are.
Updated 14 October 2026. How we priced this.
LVP vs Laminate Cost: Worked Totals
| Floor | Laminate installed | LVP installed | LVP costs more by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | $678 to $1,478 | $1,038 to $1,944 | $360 to $466 |
| 500 sq ft | $1,695 to $3,695 | $2,595 to $4,860 | $900 to $1,165 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $3,389 to $7,389 | $5,189 to $9,719 | $1,800 to $2,330 |
Low ends: cheapest planks at the low labour rate; high ends: dearest planks at the high labour rate. Old-floor removal is extra for both.
Where the Difference Comes From
| Per sq ft | Laminate | Rigid-core LVP |
|---|---|---|
| Planks (shelf price) | $0.99 to $3.99 | $1.99 to $4.29 |
| Underlayment | Budget planks need it; mid and premium have a pad | Pad attached on the planks priced |
| Labour (Home Depot cost guides) | $2.00 to $3.00 | $3.00 to $5.00 |
| Installed | $3.39 to $7.39 | $5.19 to $9.72 |
| Both at Home Depot's $2.49 click-lock rate | $3.88 to $6.88 | $4.68 to $7.21 |
Home Depot publishes different labour ranges for the two floors in its cost guides, but both of its service pages say click-lock installation starts at $2.49 per sq ft. The last row puts both floors on that one rate: LVP still costs more, because the planks do.
Which to Choose, Room by Room
| Room | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom, living room, office | Laminate | Lower cost, firm underfoot, no water risk |
| Hallway, entry | Either | Laminate rated AC4 or higher, or LVP with a thick wear layer |
| Kitchen | LVP, or laminate sold as waterproof | Spills and dishwasher leaks; read the water warranty |
| Bathroom, laundry, basement | LVP | Standing water and slab moisture; the vinyl planks are sold as waterproof |
| Stairs | Either; see laminate stairs cost | Both need stair nose and per-step labour |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Laminate | Rigid-core LVP |
|---|---|---|
| Core | High-density fibreboard under a printed wear layer | Rigid vinyl composite core |
| Wear rating | AC rating (AC3 to AC5 on the planks we priced); see AC ratings | Wear layer in mil (6 to 30 mil on the planks we priced) |
| Water | Varies by line: from no protection to sold as waterproof | Sold as waterproof |
| Warranty (planks priced) | 15 years to lifetime residential | Lifetime residential (NuCore) |
| Refinishing | No | No |
Common Questions
Is LVP more expensive than laminate?
Usually, yes. Rigid-core LVP planks ran $1.99 to $4.29 per sq ft on Floor & Decor and Home Depot shelves on 14 October 2026, against $0.99 to $3.99 for laminate. Home Depot's cost guides also put vinyl plank labour at $3.00 to $5.00 per sq ft and laminate at $2.00 to $3.00. Installed, that is $5.19 to $9.72 for LVP and $3.39 to $7.39 for laminate.
How much does 1,000 sq ft of LVP vs laminate cost installed?
About $5,189 to $9,719 for LVP and $3,389 to $7,389 for laminate, at national labour rates and before removal of the old floor.
Is LVP waterproof and laminate not?
The rigid-core vinyl planks we priced (NuCore, LifeProof, Home Decorators Collection) are sold as waterproof. Laminate varies: Floor & Decor sells AquaGuard Performance as waterproof, while the cheapest 7mm planks, including several TrafficMaster lines, list no water protection. Read each product's warranty terms on standing water before choosing either for a kitchen or bathroom.
Which lasts longer, LVP or laminate?
Compare the warranties and the wear surface. The NuCore planks we priced carry a lifetime residential warranty and 22 to 30 mil wear layers; LifeProof ranges from 6 to 22 mil. The mid-range and premium laminates in our model carry lifetime residential warranties and AC4 to AC5 ratings; the budget 7mm planks carry 15 to 30 years. Neither can be sanded and refinished.