Further to my comparison of appearance and temperature underfoot yesterday, here is an update on the scratch / spill / stain tests conducted today...
First, the samples I used were (all costs excluding fitting):
EW: V4 Shore Drift Oak with a lacquered finish (about £90psm as I recall; you would need to add the cost of adhesives)
Laminate: Quickstep Water-resistant laminate from the Impressive range in Soft Oak Light (£27.99psm; underlay would add about £8-12psm)
Vinyl: Amtico Hushed Oak with in-built underlay (around £50psm - prices vary considerably according to supplier)
Test 1: Scratching
I attacked all 3 samples with a sharp pointed knife (gouging and scraping). The EW fared worst - a clearly visible scratch mark, although if you appreciate a wood floor with a bit of wear and tear, it might be acceptable. Scratches were also visible on the vinyl, especially at certain angles, although you'd have to look very hard. The laminate (to my surprise) showed no damage whatsoever.
Test 2: Spillage
I left pooled water on the samples for about 8 hours. All 3 passed this test. In the case of the EW, the lacquered finish obviously protected it, so presumably it might become less water resistant over time, and other finishes might not perform so well. No surprise that the vinyl was waterproof on the surface, but I did wonder about the foamy underlay, if water were to reach it and not be removed. The laminate appeared to be water resistant throughout, but perhaps, like the EW, it might perform less well after several years in areas that get a lot of wear.
Test 3: Staining
I left frozen blueberries on the samples, again for about 8 hours and wiped up with a wet kitchen towel. I chose this test because I find the juice from these to be the hardest stain to get out of carpet, and I use a lot of them. The vinyl and laminate both showed no staining whatsoever. There was a very slight stain on the EW, which I could not remove, but again, the lacquer must have done a decent job. On a darker shade, it probably wouldn't be noticeable.
Conclusion...
I was really surprised and impressed by the laminate. As I think it looks as good as the EW, while being cheaper and performing better, it's a clear decision for me, and I'm warming to the idea of having rugs for the living room and bedrooms rather than carpet in order to achieve seamless transitions between rooms. Currently I'm deciding between the Soft Oak Medium and Soft Oak Light. Both are lovely and have a subtle matt finish, similar to the EW.