Laminate flooring

Laminate floors that look sharp and stand up to daily life

A hard-wearing surface at a good price, for bedrooms, living rooms and upper floors.

Bright finished lower-level room with pot lights, a bay of windows and a sliding door, grey plank flooring and a black stair railing

Where laminate makes sense

Laminate has a tough printed wear surface over a fibreboard core. It resists scratches and dents well, which suits homes with kids and pets. Its weak point is standing water, so we steer it toward dry rooms and recommend LVP or tile where water is a risk.

Comparing flooring materials

A quick guide to how the common options behave. The right answer depends on the room, the subfloor and how you live.

Comparing flooring materials
Material	Water tolerance	Feel underfoot	Best rooms	Worth knowing
Hardwood	Low	Warm, solid, natural	Living, dining, bedrooms	Can be refinished. Not for bathrooms or damp basements.
Engineered hardwood	Low–moderate	Like hardwood	Main floors, some basements	Real wood top layer on a stable core; handles seasonal change better.
Luxury vinyl plank	High	Softer, quieter	Basements, kitchens, whole-home	Water-resistant and forgiving. Quality varies a lot by product.
Laminate	Moderate	Firm	Bedrooms, living areas	Durable surface, good value. Standing water is its weak point.
Porcelain tile	Very high	Hard, cool unless heated	Bathrooms, entries, kitchens, basements	Nearly indestructible; pairs well with in-floor heat.