Wood Effect Flooring

Laminate or vinyl: which wood effect?

Wood effect laminate

A wood-fibre core with a printed wood image under a tough, clear wear layer. Strengths: the most scratch-resistant wood look, solid and firm underfoot like real boards, realistic texture, and usually the most affordable. Watch: water. Standard laminate is not for wet rooms; water-resistant laminates cope with kitchen spills and wet shoes, but not standing water.

Wood effect vinyl (LVT)

Layers of vinyl, or a rigid stone-plastic core (SPC), with a printed wood image under a clear wear layer. Strengths: fully waterproof, warm and soft underfoot, quiet, and suits every room including bathrooms. Watch: it can dent under sharp furniture feet, and thin vinyl shows bumps in the subfloor.

Which is right for each room?

• Living rooms and bedrooms: either. Laminate feels more like wood; vinyl is warmer and quieter.
• Kitchens: vinyl for complete peace of mind; water-resistant laminate if you prefer a firmer feel.
• Bathrooms, en suites and utility rooms: vinyl.
• Hallways: laminate rated AC4 for scratch resistance, or vinyl with a 0.55mm wear layer.
• Flats: vinyl is quieter; with laminate, an acoustic underlay is essential.
• Conservatories: glue-down vinyl or a rigid vinyl approved for strong sunlight.

Wood effect or real wood?

Real wood, solid or engineered, is natural, unique and ages beautifully; it can be sanded and refinished and adds warmth and value to a home. It is softer than laminate and vinyl, needs more care and is never suitable for bathrooms. Wood effect floors are tougher, cope better with water and pets, and are easier to look after. Many homes use real wood in living rooms and wood effect vinyl in the kitchen and bathroom.

How to choose a convincing wood effect

• Texture: embossed-in-register texture, where the grain you feel follows the grain you see, looks and feels most like real wood.
• Pattern repeat: more different plank designs mean fewer repeats across the floor.
• Edges: bevelled edges outline each plank like real boards.
• Plank size: longer, wider planks look more like a premium wood floor.
• Finish: matt or satin looks more natural than gloss.

Durability ratings

For laminate, the AC rating shows how hard-wearing it is: AC3 for bedrooms and living rooms, AC4 for hallways, kitchens and busy homes, AC5 for commercial spaces. For vinyl, the wear layer: around 0.3mm for light use, 0.55mm or more for busy family homes.

Fitting wood effect flooring

Both are mostly click floors that float over an underlay, a realistic DIY job. Laminate needs a laminate underlay; click vinyl needs a thin LVT underlay unless one is attached. Our installation guides explain each step, and our measuring guide helps you order the right amount.

Comparing samples at home

Order free samples of two or three options and put them on the floor of the room where they will be laid. Look at them in daylight and in the evening under your own lamps, next to the walls, skirting, units and furniture they will sit with. Colours and textures look different in every room and on every screen, so a few minutes with real samples is the best way to avoid a costly mistake. Stand back as well as looking close up: a floor is mostly seen from standing height and from the doorway.

Common mistakes

• Standard laminate in a bathroom.
• Thin vinyl over an uneven floor, so bumps show through.
• Choosing a wood look from a photo without seeing the texture in a sample.
• Laying all the boards from one pack, so the same plank design repeats side by side.

Using wood effect floors in several rooms? Choose one look for the whole ground floor, laminate in the living areas and the matching vinyl in the bathroom, so the house flows together.