Flooring Types Compared: Pros, Cons & Practical Differences
Solid wood, engineered wood, laminate and vinyl (LVT) all look similar in a showroom but behave very differently once they are down. Use this guide to weigh up durability, water resistance, warmth and cost, then work out exactly how much to order.
Quick comparison
| Flooring type | Water | Warmth / feel | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood flooring | Not waterproof | Warm, natural | Living rooms, bedrooms, period homes |
| Engineered wood flooring | Not fully waterproof | Warm, natural | Living areas, bedrooms, careful kitchens |
| Laminate flooring | Water-resistant at best | Cooler to touch | Bedrooms, lounges, dry hallways, rentals |
| LVT / Luxury Vinyl Tile | Often water-resistant | Warmer, softer | Kitchens, hallways, busy family homes |
| Click LVT / rigid-core LVT | Waterproof planks | Warmer, quieter | DIY jobs, kitchens, suitable bathrooms |
| Stick-down / glue-down LVT | Waterproof, bonded | Warm, solid | Kitchens, bathrooms, large open-plan areas |
| Click engineered wood | Not waterproof | Warm, real wood | Bedrooms, living rooms, dry areas |
| Tongue-and-groove engineered or solid wood | Depends on product | Warm wood | Higher-quality timber installations |
| Underlay | Type-dependent | Adds warmth / quiet | Floating laminate, click LVT, click wood |
Each flooring type in detail
Solid wood flooring
Pros
- Natural, premium appearance
- Can usually be sanded and refinished several times
- Warm underfoot
- Long lifespan if maintained well
Cons
- Expensive
- Can expand, shrink or gap with humidity changes
- Needs careful fitting
- Generally unsuitable for bathrooms and high-moisture areas
Warmer and more natural-feeling than laminate or LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Not waterproof — standing water can stain, warp or damage it.
Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, period homes, and areas where a real-wood finish matters.
Engineered wood flooring
Pros
- Real wood top layer, but more stable than solid wood
- Looks and feels like wood
- Generally compatible with underfloor heating if the manufacturer approves it
- Can sometimes be refinished
Cons
- More expensive than laminate / LVT
- Not fully waterproof
- Quality varies with the thickness of the real-wood wear layer
- Can still mark or dent
Warm and natural underfoot. Better moisture stability than solid wood, but water still needs wiping up quickly.
Living areas, bedrooms, kitchens with sensible care, and homes wanting a genuine wood finish.
Laminate flooring
Pros
- Usually affordable
- Hard-wearing surface
- Huge choice of wood / stone styles
- Easy to clean
- Often simple DIY fitting
Cons
- If water gets into the joints, the board core can swell, lift and permanently damage the click edges
- Cannot normally be sanded or repaired
- Can sound hollow without good underlay
Generally colder to touch than wood. Water-resistant versions exist, but most are not truly waterproof — especially at exposed joints and edges.
Bedrooms, lounges, dining rooms, rental properties and dry hallways. Avoid traditional laminate in bathrooms or consistently wet areas.
LVT / Luxury Vinyl Tile
Pros
- Very durable
- Comfortable and quieter than laminate
- Realistic wood and stone designs
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for underfloor heating
- Individual planks / tiles may be replaceable depending on installation
Cons
- Needs a very smooth, well-prepared subfloor
- Can show imperfections underneath
- Less "real" than timber
- Quality and installation make a major difference
Naturally warmer and softer than laminate. Many LVT products are highly water-resistant or waterproof, but overall water performance depends on fitting and perimeter sealing.
Kitchens, hallways, utility rooms, busy family homes, commercial spaces, and bathrooms where the specified product / system allows it.
Click LVT / rigid-core LVT
Pros
- Quick, clean fitting
- Floating floor — often no adhesive needed
- Can go over suitable existing floors
- Waterproof planks
- Easy access for future replacement
- Good DIY option
Cons
- Can feel less solid than stick-down LVT
- Requires a flat base
- May sound hollow or move if poorly fitted
- Expansion gaps are normally needed
- Very heavy furniture can restrict movement
Planks are waterproof, but water may still get through perimeter gaps or beneath the floor if not correctly detailed. Usually warmer and quieter than laminate.
Fast refurbishments, DIY jobs, kitchens and living areas, and suitable bathrooms with correct fitting details.
Stick-down / glue-down LVT
Pros
- Planks are fully bonded to the subfloor, so it feels like part of the floor
- No movement, no hollow sound, very low build-up thickness
- Excellent for large areas and heavy furniture
- Individual pieces can often be repaired
Cons
- Subfloor preparation is critical and can cost more
- Fitting is more skilled
- Difficult to remove later
- Adhesive choice and curing conditions matter
The LVT itself is waterproof, and because it is bonded down it is often the best practical option for wet-prone areas. Fully waterproof performance still depends on proper subfloor prep, adhesive, perimeter detail and whether water can get around edges.
Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, commercial areas, spaces used by wheelchairs / pushchairs, large open-plan rooms and low-threshold doorways.
Click engineered wood
Pros
- Faster installation
- Often no adhesive needed
- Easier to lift than glue-down flooring
- Can be a cleaner installation process
Cons
- Usually needs an underlay
- Can have a slightly more hollow sound / feel than a glued floor
- Expansion gaps required
- Not ideal for very wet areas
Warm real-wood surface, but not waterproof. The click system needs protection from water ingress.
Bedrooms, living rooms and dry areas where easier installation is useful.
Tongue-and-groove engineered or solid wood
Pros
- Traditional, secure joint
- Can be fitted floating, glued, nailed or secret-nailed depending on product and subfloor
- Often gives a more solid result when glued or nailed
Cons
- More labour-intensive than click
- Fitting method must match the flooring and subfloor
- Poor installation can cause squeaks, gaps or movement
Warm wood surface. Water resistance depends on the wood product and finish — not simply the tongue-and-groove joint.
Higher-quality timber installations, especially where a glued or nailed-down floor is preferred.
Underlay
Pros
- Improves comfort and reduces noise
- Helps smooth out minor imperfections
- May provide moisture protection or thermal insulation depending on type
- Important for many floating click floors
Cons
- Adds height
- The wrong underlay can make click joints flex and fail
- It cannot fix an uneven subfloor
- Not normally used beneath stick-down LVT
Can make laminate / click flooring feel warmer and quieter. For laminate, a moisture barrier is often needed over concrete subfloors.
Floating laminate, click LVT and click engineered wood — always use the manufacturer-approved type and thickness.
Common questions
What is the most waterproof type of flooring?
Glue-down (stick-down) LVT is often the best practical choice for wet-prone rooms because the waterproof planks are fully bonded to the subfloor. Click / rigid-core LVT planks are also waterproof, though water can still get through perimeter gaps if the edges are not correctly sealed.
What is the difference between laminate and LVT?
Laminate has a fibreboard core that can swell permanently if water reaches the joints, and it feels cooler and can sound hollow. LVT (luxury vinyl tile) is warmer, softer and quieter underfoot, far more water-resistant, and is suitable for underfloor heating — but it needs a very smooth, well-prepared subfloor.
Which flooring is best for a bathroom or kitchen?
For bathrooms and kitchens, a waterproof vinyl floor is usually best. Glue-down LVT bonded to a well-prepared subfloor gives the most reliable result, while click / rigid-core LVT works well for DIY provided the perimeter is detailed correctly. Solid and engineered wood and traditional laminate are not recommended for consistently wet areas.
Do I always need underlay?
Underlay is important for most floating floors — laminate, click LVT and click engineered wood — where it adds comfort, reduces noise and can provide a moisture barrier. It is not normally used beneath stick-down (glue-down) LVT. Always use the manufacturer-approved type and thickness, as the wrong underlay can make click joints flex and fail.
Can engineered wood be used with underfloor heating?
Engineered wood is generally compatible with underfloor heating when the manufacturer approves it, because it is more dimensionally stable than solid wood. LVT is also suitable for underfloor heating. Always check the specific product guidance before installing over a heated floor.
Ready to order your floor?
Once you have chosen a floor, use our free calculators to work out how many packs, how much underlay and how much waste to allow.
This guide is general information to help with planning, not professional or installation advice. Always follow the flooring manufacturer's fitting instructions and confirm suitability for your room and subfloor.