Hi there, Juby!

A sweeping statement here, but generally, vinyl (cushion vinyl // CV), will be cheaper per square metre than laminate.

Vinyl comes multi width, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00 metre wide. Laminate comes boxed, in plank format, generally 1.5m² to 2m² per box. Laminate will need an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room, CV will not and can be fitted net to the skirting boards.

Both products are man made. CV is oil/plastic based. Laminate, wood pulp based.

Good quality laminates are nowadays very believable. Reproduction is spot on and the better ones come with long warranties, in some cases up to 25 years.

Good quality CV can also look pretty authentic, too. You're more likely to find unusual designs in CV, compared to more standard wood/tile designs of laminate flooring.

It really comes down to a few of things:

1. What's your budget?
2. What's the traffic/footfall levels in the areas you want this new flooring for?
3. What's made you believe you want CV or laminate? There may be other viable options.

For a comprehensive and good quality laminate, why not check out Quick-Step on our online retail store ▶️ https://flooringmegastore.co.uk/brands/quick-step/

You'll see we offer their products with interest free finance too, making their high quality products more affordable and allowing you to spread the cost…

Vinyl come in rolls, a bit like carpet, or as LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) which mimic the shape of both ceramic tiles and wood floors. LVT is easier to install, especially in residential environments, a normally is a bit thicker (there are many different varieties) and looks more like the real thing (wood floor). Laminate is often made with HDF (High Density Fibreboard/Hardboard) core and a digital print with a wear resistance layer on top. In essence laminate has a HDF core, LVT has a vinyl core.

LAMINATE

LVT

In practical terms LVT is much more resistant than laminate. The main problem with laminate is that moisture and water can enter from the 4 sides of the boards and swell.

Modern quality laminate made with moisture resistant core are less likely to swell of course, but LVT is generally an amazing product with exceptionally low price.

Both LVT and Laminate can be £60 per sqm for a very good good quality one and less than £20 for lower quality.

As you have read this far, maybe you want to read a bit more https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Learning-Center/Flooring-LC/Why-we-dont-sell-luxury-vinyl-tile

I wouldn't have laminate/wood in a bathroom as it's not waterproof. Vinyl, karndean, amtico are good options for both rooms.

have a look at Vusta's website for more information https://www.vusta.co.uk/

Hi,

if you are not getting professional installer to do it, your main issue is going to be condition of your subfloor. Its very easy picking something reasonably priced that you like aesthetics of it but, how is it going to look few weeks down the line. For anything "vinyl" its absolutely crucial to get your subfloor mirror like surface smooth, as if anything less, it will "telegraph" to your new vinyl. So if your subfloor requires preparation, you might find that cost of it, could easily be higher than cost of the vinyl itself. For that reason laminate flooring could be more feasible option for you, as it is more forgiving in terms of subfloor condition.

Saying that, if your subfloor is really bad, you would still need to get it right even for laminate or any other floor covering for that matter. All the best.

Why do you ask such a question, Pavan123?

Rigid core LVT is likely to become the next generation of LVTs.

Solid (less likely to suffer indentations), more stable (less likely to expand and contract in extreme conditions, such as conservatories), more forgiving to the small subfloor imperfections (small dips and raises in a subfloor can be soaked up by rigid core) indicate to this style becoming very popular.

Those that know, know. Those that don't will pooh-pooh the product. That's why you've had varying opinions, Pavan.

Rigid core is more than likely to be more expensive than traditional 2.5mm dry back LVT, though. For some installations rigid core LVT will be over engineered. Just depends on the type of installation you are about to embark on and also the aesthetics. Do you like the design look of the rigid core?

We're cute, we're cuddly… we're the Flooring Gurus!

parvan 123, how did you get on?

Good questions, Miz Bent… we're all dying to know, Pavan123. Spill the beans!

Bloody love it. I'm not at home so have no pics but I'm very pleased. I think it's essentially a cross between vinyl and laminate. I had oak effect parquet covering approximately 90sqm and it cost £5700 which was a country mile cheaper than other options, but not compromising on quality. it has scratched in places where the joiner scraped his table across it. But I have kids and it's been much more resilient than my wood floor in my previous house and looks as good

Oof… still none the wiser. What is it called and where did you manage to grab this from, Pavan? Ever so interested to learn what this wonder product is.

It’s called Chenes firmfit flooring