I'm debating this as well for a guesthouse. The only thing that has me leaning toward laminate, is that it isn't heated underneath (garage) so I was thinking it'd be warmer on the feet. Vinyl has the benefit of not being destroyed by water. With all the water that ends up on my kitchen floor, spills, fridge water dispenser running over (kids), I'd be less inclined to use laminate. I had a laminate that had a tiny bit of water damage done to it when a drain backed-up in our old basement after a power outage. There are some very realistic looking vinyls! However I wonder if it isn't as desired by consumers as much as laminate (thinking of resale).

I debated for a long time, but we ultimately went with a wood look "luxury" sheet vinyl in our kitchen and bathrooms. In previous homes we had laminate and engineered hardwood and I'm just tired of worrying about quickly wiping up the floor. It felt kind of risky design-wise because even though the showrooms promote vinyl planks, sheet vinyl is not popular. We've been living with it for a few weeks and I love it. It's Mannington Luxury Sheet Vinyl in a Natural Maple look, I think it's called Woods Towne. It looks great, cleans up super easy and it's very soft and warm underfoot.

thank you both. I think I'm going to go with Allure sheet vinyl for the kitchen called Sedona. And the family room will be laid with a burl wood laminate.... eek I think. :)

In my opinion, glue down vinyl plank is the best choice of these materials.

@Kingston: Why?

I liked the laminate I had in the house I am moving out of, except for 3 things: hollow sound when walking, slippery (very!) when wet, and horrible water spots and smears when cleaning (probably better quality doesn't do that). But it looked great and was indestructible.

I chose loose lay vinyl plank for my new addition to my husband's house, and so far I love it. It's not as warm as wood or cork, but not as cold as tile or sheet vinyl (don't ask me why, but I think there's a difference, maybe it's the texture); no hollow sound, and I think it will clean up better. I bought one of the Karndean patterns, not by any means the cheapest you can get. The only thing I don't like is that the installer didn't mix up the repeats that well. However, if it continues to bug me I can pull it up myself and redistribute it, you just pick the planks up and slap them down again. Honestly, now that my furniture is in, probably no one but me notices.

Kingston, how do you think the vinyl plank would perform on a second story guesthouse over a garage (not heated)? I'm worried about cold feet.

As for cold, It's better than tile and about the same as wood or laminate.

Oh, interesting! OK, thank you.

Hi.. well, I

went with Allure vinyl and I am very pleased ... I don't have the quarter round done

yet in this photo .. but this gives an idea of how it turned out.