Flooring Advice
The most common question we get. Both are popular, both work well in the right situation. Here's how they actually compare — without the upselling.
At a Glance
If you're in a hurry, here's the summary. If you want the full picture, read on.
LVT — Luxury Vinyl Tile
Laminate Flooring
The Full Picture
This is the single biggest difference — and it matters a lot depending on where you're laying the floor.
LVT is 100% waterproof. Not water resistant. Waterproof. The core is made from vinyl, which doesn't absorb moisture. Spills, splashes, steam from cooking, even a dishwasher leak — none of it will damage LVT.
Laminate is water resistant at best. The HDF core will absorb moisture if it gets a chance. Standing water, repeated splashing or a sustained leak will cause laminate to swell, buckle and need replacing. It's not a question of if — it's when.
Verdict: LVT wins clearly. In kitchens, bathrooms and hallways (where outdoor shoes bring in moisture), LVT is the right choice.
Laminate is generally cheaper at the entry level. A basic laminate starts lower than most LVT. This matters if budget is tight.
However, the gap narrows quickly. Good laminate (AC4 rated, 8mm+) overlaps significantly with budget LVT in price. And premium LVT from brands like Karndean and Amtico is more expensive than most laminate — but it's also in a different category of quality and longevity.
Factor in lifespan too. If LVT lasts 5 years longer, the cost-per-year calculation changes. And if laminate needs replacing in a kitchen because of water damage, you've effectively paid twice.
Verdict: Laminate wins on upfront cost. LVT often wins on lifetime cost.
Both products can last 15–25 years with normal use. The key factor is the wear layer — the protective coating on top of the print layer.
LVT wear layers are rated in millimetres — 0.3mm for light use, 0.55mm for standard residential, 0.7mm+ for heavy use. The vinyl is also more forgiving: it won't chip at edges the way laminate can, and small scratches are less visible.
Laminate uses an AC rating system (AC1–AC5). For homes, you want AC3 at minimum and AC4 for hallways and high-traffic areas. Laminate can chip at edges over time, and once it chips it's difficult to repair.
Verdict: Both are durable. LVT is more forgiving of impact damage.
Modern LVT is extremely convincing. The photographic print combined with an embossed surface texture — which follows the grain pattern — makes it genuinely difficult to tell from real wood or stone. Most visitors to a home with quality LVT can't identify it.
Laminate has improved significantly over the past decade. That said, it still tends to have a slightly more uniform sheen and less tactile texture than LVT. Up close, many people can tell it's laminate. At standard viewing distance, good laminate looks excellent.
Both come in hundreds of designs. Herringbone patterns are available in both, though LVT herringbone tends to look more convincing.
Verdict: LVT looks more realistic. Laminate looks very good at a distance.
LVT has a slight advantage here. It's softer and less hollow-sounding than laminate. The vinyl core absorbs impact slightly better than the HDF in laminate.
That said, underlay makes a significant difference for both. A good rubber underlay under laminate dramatically improves how it feels and sounds. Don't cheap out on underlay — it matters more than most people realise.
Verdict: LVT has a natural advantage, but good underlay levels the playing field.
LVT is generally better suited to underfloor heating. The thin profile means less resistance to heat transfer. Most LVT products are rated for UFH use — always check the specific product and any pre-attached underlay.
Laminate can work with underfloor heating, but there are tighter temperature limits (typically 27°C floor surface maximum). Some laminate products are not UFH-rated at all. Check before you buy.
Verdict: LVT is more reliably UFH-compatible.
Side by Side
| Factor | LVT | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | ✓ 100% waterproof | ✗ Water resistant only |
| Entry-level cost | ~ Mid range | ✓ Generally lower |
| Lifespan (typical) | ✓ 20–25 years | ~ 15–20 years |
| Appearance realism | ✓ Very convincing | ~ Good at distance |
| Comfort underfoot | ✓ Slightly softer | ~ Good with underlay |
| Underfloor heating | ✓ Most products | ~ Check spec |
| Profile thickness | ✓ Thinner (4–8mm) | ~ 7–12mm typical |
| Kitchen / bathroom | ✓ Recommended | ✗ Not recommended |
| Living room / bedroom | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
| Hallway | ✓ Recommended | ~ AC4+ only |
Room by Room
Here's our honest recommendation by room. These aren't rules — they're what we'd tell a friend.
LVT. Always. No exceptions. Laminate and water are not friends, and kitchens get wet. Don't risk it.
LVT. Same logic as the kitchen. LVT handles bathroom moisture without any concern.
LVT preferred. Wet outdoor shoes, pushchairs, heavy traffic. LVT handles all of it better. Good AC4+ laminate works if budget is a factor.
Either works well. No moisture concerns. Choose based on budget and how realistic you want it to look.
Either works well. Low traffic, no moisture. A good laminate with thick underlay feels excellent in a bedroom.
LVT throughout gives a consistent floor that works in every room. Laminate works in dry rooms only — you'd need LVT in the kitchen regardless.
Our Verdict
For most homes, LVT is the better long-term investment. It's more versatile, more durable in the rooms that need it, and it looks better for longer. If you're doing a whole-house renovation, we'd nearly always recommend LVT.
That said, laminate at the right budget in the right room is absolutely fine. A good AC4-rated laminate in a living room or bedroom, laid over quality underlay, will look excellent and last well. We fit a lot of it.
The honest answer is that the right choice depends on your rooms, your budget and your household. That's exactly what our free home consultation is for — we'll look at the actual rooms, understand how you live, and recommend what's genuinely right for you.
Related Pages
Still Not Sure?
Call us or book a free home visit. We'll look at your rooms, bring samples of both, and give you a straight answer on what we'd fit in your home.
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