LVT vs Laminate Flooring

LVT flooring and laminate flooring are both popular choices if you want a practical floor with the natural look of wood. Once fitted, they can look surprisingly similar, but the way they are made is quite different. That affects how they feel underfoot, how they cope with moisture and where they are best used around the home.

So, which one should you choose?

A lot comes down to the room itself. A busy kitchen has different demands from a bedroom or home office, and things like moisture, foot traffic, budget and the finish you prefer will all play a part.

This guide compares LVT and laminate side by side, covering their construction, water resistance, durability, installation, underfloor heating and everyday care.

LVT is usually built from several layers of PVC-based materials. These layers work together to give the floor its strength and stability, with a decorative layer creating the design and a protective surface on top helping it stand up to everyday wear.

That layered construction is part of what makes LVT so practical around the home. It is comfortable underfoot, easy to look after and, depending on the product, can offer water-resistant or waterproof performance too.

Within our LVT flooring range at Topps Tiles, you will also find SPC flooring and real wood veneer flooring, which are built a little differently. SPC has a rigid stone plastic composite core, while real wood veneer combines a waterproof hybrid core with a genuine oak surface. Everything in our current LVT range also uses a click-fitting system with integrated underlay.

For a closer look at the different constructions and formats, you can read our guide to the different types of Luxury Vinyl Tiles.

Laminate flooring is usually built around a high-density fibreboard core made from compressed wood fibres. A decorative layer sits over the top to create the wood-effect finish, with a protective surface above that to help it cope with everyday marks, scuffs and general wear.

Because laminate usually has a wood-fibre core, it still needs some care around moisture. Everyday spills are generally fine when they are cleaned up promptly, but water should not be left sitting for long periods.

At Topps Tiles, our current laminate ranges are water resistant, suitable for rooms including kitchens and bathrooms, and come with integrated underlay already attached.

Aesthetically, LVT and laminate can look very similar, but there are a few key differences that can influence which one works best for your space.

As covered earlier in the article, laminate is usually built around a wood-fibre core, while our LVT ranges are designed with different constructions. Those differences underneath the surface affect how each floor performs over time, particularly when it comes to moisture, durability and where it can be used.

Laminate can be a really good choice if you want a practical wood-effect floor at a lower price point, while LVT tends to give you more flexibility in areas that see more moisture or everyday spills.

Neither is automatically the better option. It really comes down to the room, the finish you want and what you need the floor to cope with.

Water is one of the biggest things to think about when you are choosing between LVT and laminate. 

LVT generally gives you a bit more reassurance in rooms where moisture is more likely. Within our current range, SPC is fully waterproof, while real wood veneer has a waterproof hybrid core with a genuine oak surface. Other LVT products can vary, so it is still worth checking the exact product before fitting.

That is why kitchen LVT and bathroom LVT are such popular choices in rooms where spills and moisture are part of everyday life. Laminate can still work well in many of those spaces too, provided the product is suitable and water is cleaned up promptly.

Both LVT and laminate have a protective wear layer that helps them resist everyday scuffs and marks, making both suitable for areas that see regular foot traffic.

The exact level of durability will still depend on the range you choose and how the floor is used, but both are designed to cope well with day-to-day life around the home.

The condition of the substrate underneath plays a part in how well the floor performs over time too. If the floor is laid over dips, raised areas or an unstable base, parts of the boards may not be properly supported, which can put extra pressure on the click joints and lead to movement, gaps or damage over time.

If you want to know more about getting the base ready, take a look at our How to Prepare a Substrate for LVT Flooring guide

If you’re an avid DIYer, then it’s good news, as both our laminate and LVT ranges are suitable for DIY installation, which can save you the cost of hiring a professional floor fitter.

The main difference is in the fitting system. At first, they can all seem quite similar because they are click-fit, but there are small differences in how each system works that are important to understand and follow. Our current LVT ranges use click systems with integrated underlay, with SPC and real wood veneer using an i4F click system and our Pronto LVT range using either 2G or 5Gi depending on the product. Herringbone needs its own laying sequence too, so the correct fitting guide really matters.

Laminate is similar in that the boards also click together, and our current range comes with integrated underlay already attached.

There is not really a clear winner when it comes to fitting. A lot depends on the format you choose and how comfortable you are with the particular click system.

If you want to look at the fitting process in more detail, our How to Lay LVT Flooring guide covers the main things to consider before you start, while our flooring fitting guides take you through the exact installation method for each range step by step.

There is actually quite a bit of choice in both ranges, so budget does not automatically push you towards one or the other. You can find LVT and laminate options for under £30 per m², while some of the more premium finishes and constructions can go beyond £50 per m².

The price really comes down to the individual floor you choose. Things like the construction, finish and overall specification can all make a difference, so there are options whether you are trying to keep the cost down or you have a bit more room in the budget for a particular look or feel.

It is worth looking at the full project cost too. Preparation, trims, tools and fitting can all add to the final spend, so the price per square metre is only part of the picture.

You can browse our LVT flooring and laminate flooring ranges to see the current options at each price point.

Yes, both LVT and laminate can be used with suitable underfloor heating systems, but it is worth checking the guidance for the exact floor before you buy or fit it.

For both flooring types, the maximum floor surface temperature is 27°C. The heating system also needs to be taken into account during preparation, as things like moisture limits and acclimatisation can change depending on the product.

One thing that applies to both is that underfloor heating should not be used to try and dry out a damp substrate. The floor underneath still needs to reach the correct moisture level before installation starts.

This is another area where the fitting guide matters, so check the fitting instructions for the range you have chosen before fitting begins.

The day-to-day cleaning routine is actually quite similar for both. A quick sweep or vacuum will deal with most dust and grit, and a well-wrung mop is usually enough when the floor needs a more thorough clean.

For routine cleaning, our FILA LVT & Laminate Cleaner is suitable for both flooring types and can help keep everyday care straightforward. Neither floor should be steam cleaned, as the combination of heat and moisture can affect the surface and joints over time.

If you want more detail on looking after LVT once it is down, you can also read our How to Clean and Care for LVT Flooring guide.

Not necessarily. The better option really depends on the room and what you want from the floor.

LVT is a strong choice for spaces that see more moisture, spills or general day-to-day mess, while both laminate and LVT can work really well in rooms where you want a practical wood-effect floor. Budget, finish and the way the room is used will all come into it too. The best way to choose is to compare the individual products rather than assume one flooring type is always better than the other.

Here’s a quick summary of the main features: