Luxury vinyl and laminate are the two most common floors we install in Miami, and customers ask us to choose between them almost every week. They look alike once they're down, but they're built very differently, and in South Florida that difference matters.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP or LVT) is made of PVC layers, which makes it fully waterproof. A spill, a leaking dishwasher, or wet feet from the pool won't hurt it. That's why we recommend vinyl for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and any ground-floor slab that might carry moisture.
Laminate has a wood-fiber core with a tough printed wear layer. It's more scratch-resistant than most vinyl and often feels more solid underfoot, but standing water can swell the core. Newer water-resistant laminates handle spills well, which makes them a good, lower-cost choice for bedrooms and living areas.
Both floors are rigid click-lock systems, and both need a flat slab. If the concrete has dips or humps, planks can separate or click when you walk. Whichever you pick, budget for prep and leveling. It's the part that decides how long the floor lasts.
Our rule of thumb: vinyl anywhere water is possible, laminate where it isn't and budget matters. Many homes end up with both, and we can transition between them cleanly at the doorways.