Laminate vs LVT vs Engineered Wood: Cost and Practical Differences

In short: laminate is the cheapest and easiest to fit but the least water-tolerant, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) is the most water-resistant and comfortable underfoot for the price, and engineered wood gives you a genuine real-wood surface at a real-wood price. Which is right depends mostly on the room and your budget, not just the look.

Laminate flooring

Laminate is a printed image layer under a hard-wearing resin coating, fitted as a floating floor over underlay. It typically costs roughly £15-£35 per square metre for the material, making it the most budget-friendly of the three, and it's a realistic DIY job for a confident homeowner using a click-lock system. Its main weakness is water: standing water or repeated damp at the joints can cause the core to swell and the joints to lift, so it's a poor choice for bathrooms and only a cautious choice for kitchens unless it's specifically rated water-resistant.

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)

LVT is a multi-layer vinyl product that mimics wood or stone, typically costing roughly £25-£60+ per square metre for the material depending on quality and format (click LVT vs glue-down). It's genuinely water-resistant — much more forgiving of splashes and spills than laminate — and has a warmer, softer feel underfoot, which makes it a strong choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. It's also compatible with underfloor heating in most cases, which laminate and solid wood often aren't.

Engineered wood

Engineered wood has a real wood veneer bonded to a plywood or high-density fibreboard core, typically costing roughly £40-£90+ per square metre depending on the wood species and veneer thickness. It can be sanded and refinished a limited number of times (unlike laminate or LVT, which can't), which extends its practical lifespan considerably, and it gives a genuine wood look and feel that neither of the other two fully replicates. It's more moisture-tolerant than solid wood but still not recommended for bathrooms or areas with standing water.

Which should you choose?

• Budget-conscious, dry room (bedroom, living room): laminate is usually the sensible choice.
• Kitchen, hallway, or a room with underfloor heating: LVT tends to perform best for the money.
• Want a genuine wood floor and can stretch the budget: engineered wood, reserved for drier rooms.

Lifespan and long-term value

Laminate typically lasts 10-15 years before the wear layer degrades noticeably; LVT can last 15-20+ years, particularly thicker click formats; engineered wood, thanks to being refinishable, can realistically last 20-30+ years with occasional sanding. Factoring that into cost per year of use narrows the gap between LVT and engineered wood more than the upfront price suggests.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is choosing on looks alone without checking water tolerance for the room — laminate in a kitchen that later has a dishwasher leak is a frequent, expensive lesson. The second is skipping proper subfloor preparation, which affects how well any of these three perform regardless of which you pick. See our full flooring installation cost guide for labour costs on top of material prices.

How long each takes to fit

Laminate is generally the quickest to install thanks to its simple click-lock floating system, often achievable in a day for an average room even for a competent DIYer. Click LVT is similarly quick, while glue-down LVT takes longer due to adhesive drying and set times. Engineered wood, particularly if it's being glued or secret-nailed rather than floated, typically takes longest and is more often left to a professional fitter.

Sound and comfort underfoot

Laminate on a standard foam underlay tends to sound hollow and feel firm underfoot, though acoustic underlays can improve this noticeably. LVT has a naturally softer, warmer feel thanks to its multi-layer vinyl construction, which is part of why it's popular in kitchens where people stand for long periods. Engineered wood sits between the two depending on the underlay and subfloor, but generally offers a warmer, more solid feel than laminate at a similar underlay spec.

Resale and buyer perception

Genuine wood flooring, including engineered wood, is often viewed favourably by buyers and can be a small positive when selling, particularly in period or higher-value properties. Laminate and LVT are generally viewed as practical, neutral choices rather than a selling point either way, though a well-maintained, good-quality example of either won't count against a sale.

Scratch and dent resistance

Laminate's hard resin wear layer generally resists scratches well but can chip or crack on hard impact, and once the printed layer beneath is exposed, the damage is visually obvious. LVT is more resistant to denting from dropped objects thanks to its slightly softer construction, though it can scratch from grit dragged underfoot if not swept regularly. Engineered wood scratches similarly to solid wood and can be touched up locally in some cases, but deep gouges typically need the professional attention of sanding and refinishing to fully disappear.

Related reading: herringbone and parquet flooring.