We recently were faced with the same decision for our new build. I was almost completely sold on going with Coretec LVP, but after doing more research on both Coretec and the higher end laminates (12mm that are water-resistant), we ended up selecting laminate. Both were identical in price for us so pricing wasn't a factor for us. For me, the biggest pros of LVP: Better traction in socks, perhaps slightly more water-resistant (but they are NOT waterproof), softest underfoot. LVP Cons: Many have a slight vinyl-like sheen to them that bothered me (Coretec included). Installation guide/warranties always mention not allowing direct sunlight through a window hit your floors because it's vinyl afterall and will expand and contract -- major issue for me. Even Coretec which I consider one of the best visuals for LVP in terms of mimicking real wood doesn't hold a torch to the high end laminates. Laminate pros: It's been around for a very long time and the higher end ones are durable, water-resistant (able to be damp mopped -- but neither laminate nor LVP should be steam mopped). The particular brand we bought has a core similar to Coretec (hence the water-resistance) and also has a 2mm pad attached. It is rated safe to use in bathrooms and kitchens. Coretec has a cork backing which is also good. Laminate looked a little more realistic to me in terms of the sheen it has (more matte) and the particular laminate we compared to Coretec sounded less clicky when walked on believe it or not. Coretec sounded a bit more plastic-like which surprised me. Laminate cons: Many are not water-resistant so it depends on what you buy. You get what you pay for. It's a little more slippery in socks than LVP. I'm not sure if there are any other big cons. Ultimately, you get what you pay for with both types of flooring. They both can and will scratch. Our laminate did not mention keeping direct sunlight away from it whereas most (if not all) LVPs do so that was a factor for us. I think we would have been happy with either floor, but ultimately the laminate won for us because of the sunlight issue as well as it looking more realistic. Also, just something to consider, several local flooring companies talked about the LVP floors denting from very heavy objects (bookcases, dining table, sofa legs, etc and not being able to recover where laminate doesn't have that issue as often. I knew it could dent but was surprised to hear the LVP floors didn't slowly recover over time. Oh, and also pay attention to the installation span distance for each brand of flooring you consider. Some laminates can only span a distance of 33ft or so before needing a transition strip (ours can go 66ft so we will not need transition strips). I believe Coretec can go 60+ft as well. I'm not sure about other LVP flooring brands.

I would say you can get away with laying the planks long ways down the hallway. You would maintain this orientation throughout the space. Your main living space is the livingroom and dining room. The long edge of the planks will run the long run of those two rooms. That also means they will run the long way down the hall (long edge of the plank runs down the long axis of the hallway - like a bowling alley). The other rooms will have the short edges running down the long axis...but that's OK. It should look fine. The natural light will also flow into the space in the same direction as the planks are laid...that's an absolute BONUS! It really is. Now just make sure your windows do NOT let too much sunlight in. Vinyl floors do not like to get too hot. Most of them on the market require you keep the heat (on the floor) from going above 85 F. In a patch of sunlight, it can reach 100 F in less than an hour. Best to make sure you have the ability to shield your floors from direct sunlight/excessive heat produced by sunlight pooling on the vinyl.

I have bought and installed $3000.00 worth of smartcore pro 1 year ago in my unheated cabin since it said good for extreme temperatures down to 25 degrees below zero and Lowes said it was the best and only flooring that will work for me. The floor started to seperate in December 2020 at 19 degrees. Lowes said they can not help me and to file a claim with Shaw. Shaw sent an independent inspector to see flooring in March 2021. The so called independant inspector came and pretty much told me that his job is to find things to void the warranty so no claims get paid. He crawled on my floor throughout all rooms with a 6 foot level and found one high spot on my l floor that tilted his level uneven. I told him every house built has a joyce that is a little high or a little low. He agreed and said that he goes through million dollar brand new homes and always finds the same. He measured the space at edges an said some spots were too close to wall. I told him nothing expanded or contracted and its the locking that has failed. He also said the floor molding was touching the floor and that will also void a warranty. I told him there are no houses where the wall molding is not touching the floor and that no one keeps a gap below the molding. He agreed but said even if my floor did have more spacing and wall molding had a gap under it that Shaw would still void my claim since he found a joyce high spot. He left and I never had a returned call since March. I even offered to lift my floor and pay the $1.49 per square foot and to have it reinstalled by anyone of thier choice to prove it was not an installation problem and it is a locking failure problem with the flooring. I am a tipical hard working person that saved for two years to buy the best flooring made for my conditions. Shaw or Lowes have not even called me to offer me a solution or any compensation towards my $3000.00 invested. I do not know if my floor will continue to worsen but I do know it will not get better. I told the inspector that if Shaw really wanted to improve thier product that this was the perfect chance. An unheated cabin that temperatures go down to a couple of degrees below zero in the coldest part of the year. I have 8 rental proerties, a house and 2-cabins that I wanted to do all over with this flooring and now I can not trust Shaw flooring or Shaw customer service to correct the failure. My cousin is a contrator that build homes and works with hundreds of other contracors and said that he will no longer use Shaw flooring after he sees what happened to me. SHAME ON YOU SHAW FOR NOT FIXING YOUR FAILED FLOOR LOCKING PROBLEM. I or my cousin will never buy another Shaw product unless this is fixed by compensation or what I prefer which is to lift and reinstall new flooring by anyone of Shaws choice. The cabin next to me installed a cheap laminate flooring from Pergo at 1/2 the price and it has not failed under the same temperatures. I am out $3000 but you are out hundreds of thousands of dollars when contractors will not trust your products since you chose not to do the right thing.***SHAME ON YOU SHAW FOR NOT FIXING YOUR FAILED FLOOR LOCKING PROBLEM. Tim Sommers Mongomery, Pa. 17752 (570-220-8070)

Not all laminates are created equal, and the same is true of LVP. LVP is softer on the feet but is more prone to indentations from furniture as well as sun damage (warping or fading) from windows. It's not super common, but it does happen, even with some of the mid-grade brands. We chose laminate flooring and LOVE it. I did a lot of research and the one we chose has a nearly waterproof core, meaning a puddle of water is not going to soak in and damage the floor. Not all laminates are like this though. We've had it for 3 years and it's been a dream to take care of. It's installed throughout our main floor, including the kitchen and half bath. I would not put laminate, hardwood, or LVP in a full bathroom or laundry room but that's just my opinion. I would do tile in those areas. Anyway, we're very happy with our laminate (except it was installed wrong initially and they had to redo it) and would choose it again. I decided against LVP because it can scuff, etc and we have two dogs. Our particular laminate is way more durable than the LVP we looked at (mainly Coretec) and looks brand new.