Choose LVT for rooms that get wet or muddy, such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and open-plan ground floors. Choose laminate for dry rooms like lounges and bedrooms, where you want a wood look for less money. LVT is waterproof, warmer and quieter underfoot. Laminate is harder, quicker to fit and costs less: ours starts from £15.99 per m², against £26.99 per m² for LVT.
LVT vs laminate at a glance
| LVT | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Vinyl, so it doesn’t swell when wet | Compressed wood fibre (HDF) |
| Water | Waterproof boards and tiles | Water-resistant at best; standing water can swell the joints |
| Underfoot | Warmer, softer and quieter | Harder, with a more hollow sound |
| Wear | Tough wear layer, good with pets and kids | Very hard, scratch-resistant surface |
| Fitting | Click or glue-down, on a smooth, flat base | Floats on underlay, so it’s quicker to fit |
| Patterns | Planks, tiles, herringbone and borders | Planks and herringbone |
| Our price from | £26.99 per m² | £15.99 per m² |
| Best rooms | Kitchens, bathrooms, halls, open-plan floors | Lounges, bedrooms, dining rooms, dry halls |
What is LVT?
LVT stands for luxury vinyl tile. LVT flooring is a vinyl floor printed with a realistic wood or stone design and sealed under a clear wear layer. Because the core is vinyl, water won’t make it swell, which is why it’s the safer choice in kitchens and bathrooms. It comes as planks or tiles, and as click or glue-down. Glue-down LVT can include borders and feature patterns such as herringbone.
We fit LVT from brands including Karndean Designflooring and Nordikka. See our LVT flooring page for the ranges and prices.
What is laminate?
Laminate flooring has a core of high-density wood fibre with a printed wood-effect layer and a hard, clear top coat. It clicks together and floats on an underlay, so it’s quick to fit. It gives you the look of a wood floor for less, and a good board stands up well to family life.
The weak spot is water. If water sits on the joints, the wood-fibre core can swell. Water-resistant boards help in busy hallways and kitchens, but spills still need wiping up quickly. See our laminate flooring page for the ranges.
Which is better, room by room?
- Kitchen: LVT. It copes with spills, a leaking dishwasher and mopping.
- Bathroom and en-suite: LVT, or sheet vinyl for a lower price.
- Hallway: LVT if wet shoes and dogs come straight in; water-resistant laminate if the hall stays fairly dry.
- Lounge and dining room: either works. Laminate saves money; LVT feels warmer and quieter.
- Bedroom: laminate, or carpet if you want it soft and warm.
- Open-plan ground floor: LVT, so one floor can run through the kitchen, dining area and hall without a join at the kitchen door.
Herringbone: LVT or laminate?
Both are available in herringbone. Herringbone laminate is the lower-cost way to get the look in a lounge or dining room. Herringbone LVT suits hallways, kitchens and landings, and glue-down LVT can add a border around the edge for a more finished look.
What about the floor underneath?
Both floors need a flat, sound base, and LVT needs it smoother still, because every bump can show through. In older terraced homes, like many around Chorley, original floorboards often need overboarding with plywood before LVT goes down. In new builds, such as those around Buckshaw Village and Euxton, concrete floors must be dry enough before LVT or laminate is fitted. We check both at the free home measure and include any preparation on your written quote.
Which costs more?
Laminate costs less to buy and is quicker to fit. Our laminate starts from £15.99 per m² and our LVT from £26.99 per m². Your final price depends on the range, the room size and how much preparation the floor needs, and it’s set out in an instant quote, over the phone or at the free measure. If you bring a written quote from another retailer, you’ll get 10% off.
Frequently asked questions
Is LVT better than laminate?
Not for every room. LVT is better where floors get wet and where you want a warmer, quieter floor. Laminate is better value in dry rooms and is very hard-wearing.
Can you put laminate in a kitchen?
You can, with water-resistant boards, as long as spills are wiped up quickly. If the kitchen gets heavy use or you have a dishwasher or washing machine, LVT is the safer choice.
Can LVT go over floorboards?
Usually not directly. Floorboards move and have gaps that show through LVT, so they’re normally overboarded with plywood first. We check this at the measure.
Is LVT good for dogs?
Yes. It’s waterproof, easy to clean and has a tough wear layer. It’s quieter than laminate when claws tap across it.
Next steps
Not sure which suits your home? Book a free home measure and we’ll bring LVT and laminate samples so you can compare them side by side in your own rooms. You can also read what professional fitting includes, or call us on 01257 228 582.
Book a Free Home Measure
We bring samples to your home, measure every room and give you an instant quote.
