Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Choosing between laminate and vinyl flooring? You're not alone. These two popular options both offer stylish looks, easy installation, and budget-friendly pricing — but they also have key differences that could make one more suitable than the other depending on your room, lifestyle, and budget.

In this guide, we’ll compare laminate and vinyl across important categories like durability, water resistance, appearance, and cost to help you make the right choice.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is made from a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core with a decorative image layer and a protective top coating. It’s designed to replicate the look of real wood or tile at a fraction of the cost. Most laminate flooring uses a click-fit system for straightforward installation.

→ Explore our full range of Laminate Flooring

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials like PVC, with flexible or rigid cores depending on the type (e.g. LVT, SPC, or sheet vinyl). It’s highly water-resistant — even fully waterproof in many cases — and comes in a wide variety of designs and formats, including plank, tile, and sheet.

→ Browse our complete Vinyl Flooring collection

Key Differences: Laminate vs Vinyl

Feature	Laminate Flooring	Vinyl Flooring
Water Resistance	Water-resistant (some ranges only)	Fully waterproof (ideal for bathrooms)
Appearance	Very realistic wood finishes	Available in wood, stone, or tile effects
Durability	Great scratch resistance	Excellent water & scratch resistance
Comfort	Feels firmer underfoot	Softer and warmer, esp. with underlay
Rooms Best Suited	Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways	Bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms
Installation	Click-fit, floating	Click-fit or glue-down (depending on type)
Price	Budget-friendly to mid-range	Budget-friendly to premium (LVT/SPC)
Maintenance	Damp mop only (avoid excess water)	Very low maintenance, mop-friendly

Which Is Better for Each Room?

Living Room: Both work well, but laminate gives a warmer wood feel.
Kitchen: Vinyl is the safer choice due to waterproofing.
Bathroom: Vinyl is recommended; laminate only if water-resistant.
Hallway: Laminate and vinyl are both durable; choose based on look.
Bedroom: Laminate feels more natural underfoot, but vinyl is quieter.

Still Not Sure?

Here’s a quick summary to help:

Choose laminate flooring if you want a realistic wood look in dry areas like lounges, bedrooms, or hallways.
Go for vinyl flooring if you need a waterproof solution for kitchens, bathrooms, or high-moisture areas.

Both offer excellent value and stylish designs, so your decision ultimately depends on your priorities: wood feel vs water resistance.