Laminate vs vinyl vs engineered wood: choosing a floor

What each one actually is

Laminate is a photographic image of wood bonded to a fibreboard core. It looks convincing, resists scratches well and costs the least. Its weakness is water: the core swells if moisture reaches it, which rules it out of bathrooms and makes any leak a serious problem.

Luxury vinyl, often sold as LVT or rigid-core plank, is plastic through and through. It is completely waterproof, warm underfoot and comfortable, and it tolerates wet rooms and basements. It is softer than wood and can dent under heavy point loads, but it is the most forgiving product for a busy household.

Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface over a plywood base. It feels and sounds like solid wood, can be sanded once or twice, and adds value to a home. It dislikes standing water and is the most expensive of the three, though a well-made product lasts decades.

Matching the product to the room

Kitchens and hallways take heavy traffic and occasional spills; vinyl or a hard-wearing laminate handles both, with vinyl the safer bet near a sink or a dishwasher. Bathrooms and utility rooms should have vinyl, full stop — neither laminate nor wood survives repeated wetting.

Bedrooms and living rooms suit any of the three, so the decision becomes about budget and feel. If you want the warmth and solidity of wood and can live with the care it needs, engineered hardwood is the nicest underfoot. If you want to spend less and not worry, vinyl gets close surprisingly often.

How the choice changes your order

All three are sold by the box with a stated coverage, so the ordering method is the same: measure each room, add ten per cent for a straightforward layout and fifteen per cent for diagonal patterns or rooms full of cuts, then round up to whole boxes.

The differences are in the extras. Vinyl and laminate usually need an underlay and a flat subfloor; engineered wood may be glued, floated or nailed, each with its own materials. Solid wood and engineered planks also need an acclimatisation period in the room before fitting, which is time rather than money but still part of the plan.