What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is made from a dense fibreboard core topped with a photographic decor layer and a tough clear wear layer. It clicks together over an underlay as a floating floor, giving a hard, scratch-resistant wood or stone look at a lower price than the real thing.
Key features
- Very hard, scratch-resistant surface that suits busy homes.
- Clicks together quickly over underlay with no adhesive.
- Wide range of wood and stone effects.
- Lower cost than wood or LVT.
- Water-resistant ranges available for kitchens.
Where laminate works best
Laminate suits living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and dining rooms. Standard laminate dislikes standing water, so for kitchens or bathrooms choose a water-resistant range with sealed joints. It pairs well with underfloor heating when rated for it.
Caring for laminate
Sweep or vacuum, then clean with a barely-damp mop — never a soaking wet one. Wipe spills quickly so water cannot reach the core through the joints. Felt pads protect the surface from furniture.
What laminate costs
Laminate is budget-friendly at £10–£30/m², with fitting from £8–£15/m². Water-resistant and thicker boards sit at the top of that range. Compare options on our cost pages.