Choosing a hard floor usually comes down to four options that get mistaken for one another all the time: vinyl, LVT, SPC and laminate. Side by side in a showroom they can look almost identical — but they behave very differently underfoot, around water, and over years of real family life. Here’s a straightforward guide to how they compare, and how to pick the one that suits your room, your budget and your household.
At a glance
| Type | What it is | Best for | Water | Underfoot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl (sheet/cushioned) | Flexible vinyl in rolls | Bathrooms, kitchens, tighter budgets | Fully waterproof | Soft, warm |
| LVT | Luxury vinyl planks/tiles | Realistic looks, whole-home use | Waterproof | Warm, quiet |
| SPC | Rigid stone-composite core | High traffic, uneven subfloors | Waterproof | Firm, very stable |
| Laminate | Photo layer on a wood-fibre core | Wood looks on a budget | Water-resistant (not waterproof) | Firm, fairly warm |
Vinyl flooring
Sheet (or cushioned) vinyl is the most budget-friendly option and is fully waterproof, which makes it a sensible, no-fuss choice for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. It comes in a huge range of wood and stone effects, has a soft, warm, quiet feel underfoot, and wipes clean in seconds. It won’t give you quite the premium realism of LVT, but for value and practicality in a wet room it’s hard to beat.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)
LVT is the all-rounder. Individual planks or tiles are built up in layers, with a high-resolution photographic layer that mimics real wood or stone convincingly, plus a tough wear layer on top. It’s waterproof, warm and quiet underfoot, hard-wearing, and can be laid in patterns like herringbone for a real design statement. We stock brands like Karndean and Moduleo, and it suits almost any room in the house. Explore our LVT range for the full picture.
SPC flooring
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) is essentially rigid-core LVT. That solid core makes it extremely dimensionally stable — it won’t expand and contract with temperature swings the way some flooring can, so it’s a strong choice for conservatories and rooms with underfloor heating. It also copes better with slightly uneven subfloors, clicks together easily, and stands up brilliantly to heavy traffic. The trade-off is a firmer feel underfoot.
Laminate flooring
Laminate uses a photographic decor layer over a dense wood-fibre (HDF) core, topped with a scratch-resistant wear layer. It delivers excellent, realistic wood looks at a friendly price and is tough against everyday scuffs and pet claws. The key thing to know: laminate is water-resistant, not fully waterproof. Modern water-resistant ranges are much improved, but for a bathroom we’d still steer you towards vinyl, LVT or SPC. See our laminate range for current options.
So which should you choose?
- Bathroom, kitchen or utility: vinyl, LVT or SPC — not standard laminate.
- Busy family home or pets: SPC or LVT for durability.
- Tightest budget: cushioned vinyl, then laminate.
- Most realistic wood look: LVT, or a quality laminate.
- Uneven or problem subfloor: SPC’s rigid core.
- Warmth and quiet underfoot: LVT or cushioned vinyl.
The honest answer is that the “best” floor depends on the room and how it’s used — and the easiest way to decide is to see and feel the options side by side.
Compare them in person across Nottingham and Derby
Samples and photos only tell you so much — texture, warmth and how a floor handles real life are far easier to judge in person. You’re welcome to compare vinyl, LVT, SPC and laminate at any of our showrooms: Netherfield and Wollaton in Nottingham, and Meadow Vale Carpets in Duffield for Derby and Derbyshire. We’ve been fitting floors for over 40 years, with our own employed fitters (never subcontracted) and over 700 five-star Google reviews across our showrooms, and our free home measuring service lets you see how a floor looks in your own light before you commit.
Get in touch to book a free measure, or drop into Netherfield, Wollaton or Derby.