COMPARISON

FLOORING

LAMINATE

VINYL

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

Choosing new flooring can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comparing two of the most popular options: vinyl and laminate.

Both are stylish, budget-friendly, and offer realistic wood and tile looks but they have important differences that can help you choose the perfect fit for your home.

Below, we’ll break down vinyl vs laminate flooring side by side to make your decision easy.

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials, often in multiple flexible layers. It can be purchased in sheets, planks, or tiles.

Waterproof (even in bathrooms and kitchens)
Available in a huge variety of styles, including realistic wood and stone looks
Easy to clean and maintain

Explore our vinyl flooring collection

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a hybrid product, usually built with a fiberboard core and a photographic layer under a clear protective wear layer.

Feels more rigid underfoot
Often more realistic wood grain texture
Easy to install with click-lock systems

Browse our laminate flooring range

Vinyl vs Laminate: Key Differences

1. Appearance and Style

Vinyl:

Highly realistic wood, tile, and stone patterns
Wide variety of colours and styles
Can have embossed textures

Laminate:

Excellent wood grain visuals in both herringbone and plank patterns.
Slightly more rigid feel and appearance
Can have beveled edges for real plank look

2. Water Resistance

Vinyl:

Fully waterproof
Great for kitchens, bathrooms and basements

Laminate:

Water-resistant options available
Still not ideal for very wet areas
Spills should be cleaned quickly

3. Durability and Wear

Vinyl:

Tough wear layers resist scuffs and scratches
Excellent for high-traffic areas
Soft, flexible under stress

Laminate:

Hard, rigid surface resists dents
Good scratch resistance
May show edge swelling if exposed to water

4. Comfort Underfoot

Vinyl:

Softer and warmer feel
Quiet underfoot
Can be paired with cushioned backing

Laminate:

Firmer and more solid
Slightly louder under footfalls
Underlay can improve comfort

5. Installation

Vinyl:

Glue down options
Can go over many subfloors
DIY-friendly

Laminate:

Mostly click-lock floating floor
Easy for DIYers
Needs underlay for best results

6. Cost

Both are budget-friendly compared to hardwood or tile.

Vinyl:

Generally cheaper per m²
Lower-cost installation options

Laminate:

Slightly higher price for premium styles
Comparable overall install cost

Which Is Best for You?

Choose Vinyl if you need waterproof flooring for kitchens, bathrooms, or basements.
Choose Laminate for a realistic wood look in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
Both are excellent choices for stylish, affordable, low-maintenance flooring.