PVC flooring or laminate: what suits your home?
Short answer: PVC for kitchens, bathrooms, pets and sound dampening. Laminate if the purchase price is the main priority and the room stays dry. Below is a 10-point comparison.
10 aspects
Compared
Expert
Advice
Costs
Calculator
Objective
Comparison
The short answer
Choose PVC if you are looking for a floor for damp areas (kitchen, bathroom), have pets or children, or if comfort and sound reduction are important to you. PVC is water-resistant, low-maintenance and lasts longer.
Choose laminate if a slightly lower upfront price is important to you and the floor is going into dry rooms such as bedrooms or home offices where there is no moisture.
Our recommendation: For most situations, PVC is the better choice thanks to its water resistance, comfort, long lifespan and lower maintenance costs. Compare the factors that matter most for your home.
Comparison score
PVC Flooring wins
Best choice for most situations
Tie
Both equally good
Laminate wins
Lower purchase price
Cost calculator
Calculate the price difference for your space
PVC Flooring
Including materials + installation
- Water-resistant planks
- 15-25 year lifespan
- Low maintenance
- Soft and quiet
Laminate
Including materials + installation
- Not water-resistant
- 10-20 year lifespan
- Careful maintenance
- Hard and can sound hollow
Price difference: PVC costs €300 more, but lasts 5-10 years longer and has lower maintenance costs.
Detailed comparison
10 aspects compared side by side
Water resistance
PVC WinsWater-resistant planks; suitability and finish to be assessed per product
Water resistance varies per product; follow the application guidelines
Care
PVC WinsVery easy, vacuuming and mopping with water is sufficient, no special products needed
Easy, but do not mop too wet, special cleaning products recommended
Comfort
PVC WinsSoft and warm underfoot, pleasant to walk and stand on
Hard and cold, underlay required for any comfort
Sound insulation
PVC WinsExcellent sound dampening, quiet to walk on, no hollow sound
Can sound hollow without a good underlay, more noise nuisance
Installation time
PVC WinsFollow the manufacturer's instructions for your chosen floor regarding acclimatisation, storage and temperature.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your chosen floor regarding acclimatisation, storage and temperature.
Purchase price
Laminate WinsGuide price €70 to €95/m² including VAT and fitting; a slightly higher investment
€60-80/m² incl. fitting, lower initial costs
Lifespan
PVC Wins15-25 years with proper maintenance, very hard-wearing
10-20 years with proper maintenance, less hard-wearing
Underfloor heating
PVC WinsIdeally suited, good heat conduction, lower energy costs
Suitable, but less efficient, higher energy costs
Scratch resistance
PVC WinsHighly scratch-resistant, ideal for pets and children
Prone to scratches, visible damage with intensive use
Environmental impact
TieCheck the product information on materials, emissions and installation
Check the product information on materials, emissions and installation
Total costs over 20 years
The actual costs including maintenance and replacement
PVC floor (30m²)
Laminate (30m²)
Example costs over 20 years
Despite higher upfront costs, PVC works out more economical thanks to its longer lifespan and lower maintenance
Which floor for which situation?
Practical advice for your situation
Choose PVC if:
- You want to install the floor in a kitchen or bathroom
- You have pets or young children
- Comfort and warmth underfoot are important to you
- You want a quiet floor without a hollow sound
- You have or want underfloor heating
- You are looking for a low-maintenance floor
- You want a floor that lasts 15 to 25 years
- You value water resistance
Choose laminate if:
- The floor is going into dry rooms (bedroom, home office)
- Budget is the main factor (short term)
- You want to lay the floor yourself
- You do not have underfloor heating
- You want a very hard floor
- Water resistance is not important
- You do not have pets or children
- You accept that the floor will need replacing after 10-15 years
Three situations: PVC or laminate?
Here is how we advise. These are examples, not customer stories.
Kitchen with children
Our advice: wood-effect PVC
Why: spills happen in a kitchen. Laminate can swell at the seams; the PVC plank does not absorb water.
Dry bedroom
Our advice: laminate works fine
Why: a dry room without pets. Good laminate is harder, more scratch-resistant and often cheaper.
Bathroom
Avoid: "water-resistant" laminate
Why: the seams remain vulnerable to standing water. In a bathroom, we advise glue-down PVC with sealed edges, outside the shower area.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know
Is PVC more expensive than laminate?
PVC is on average €10-15/m² more expensive to purchase than laminate. The guide price for a PVC floor is €70 to €95/m² including VAT and fitting, while laminate costs €60-80/m². However, this difference is more than offset by the longer lifespan (15-25 years vs 10-20 years) and lower maintenance costs of PVC. Over its total lifespan, PVC is often more cost-effective.
Can I lay laminate in the kitchen?
The planks are water-resistant. For a bathroom, we assess the specific product, subfloor, adhesive and finish. The shower area requires a suitable waterproof build-up.
Which floor is better for pets?
PVC is significantly better suited to pets. It is more scratch-resistant than laminate, does not absorb odours, and any little accidents are easy to clean up without damaging the floor. Laminate can be permanently damaged by moisture from pets and scratches are more visible. PVC also has a softer surface, which is more comfortable for pets.
What is the difference in comfort between PVC and laminate?
PVC is considerably more comfortable than laminate. PVC feels soft and warm underfoot, whereas laminate feels hard and cold. PVC has natural sound-dampening properties, making it quieter to walk on. Laminate can sound hollow without a good underlay. For people who often walk barefoot or have children, PVC is the more comfortable choice.
How long does PVC last compared to laminate?
Compare the product specifications, usage and complete floor build-up. Costs and suitability vary per project.
Which floor is better for underfloor heating?
Compare the product specifications, usage and complete floor build-up. Costs and suitability vary per project.
Which floor is better for the bathroom?
The planks are water-resistant. For a bathroom, we assess the specific product, subfloor, adhesive and finish. The shower area requires a suitable waterproof build-up.
Still unsure? We are happy to advise you
Schedule an assessment by appointment and receive personal advice for your situation. We will help you make the right choice between PVC and laminate.
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