Any difference between floor warmth between a Laminate or LVT floor

[LindaDawn]

Can you lovely knowledgeable people tell me if LVT is warmer on foot than Laminate or visa versa or the same. This will help me steer between looking at a Laminate or a LVT flooring. We are not having underfloor heating and it’s for a soon to be completed extended kitchen, diner and snug room which I would like to use a grandchildren’s playroom too, hence wanting it to be warm on their little feet.

I've found lvt to feel warmer than laminate, and more comfortable. It isn't a huge difference though and I still prefer to use with rugs.

Thanks. Another thought, is one more slippery than the other?

And another thing, I guess they are both as easy to keep clean or is one easier?

Anyone!

I'd like to know the answer too. 😬

My LVT is feels warm underfoot….doesn’t feel sloppy and looks the same now as it did when put down 7 years ago …..more expensive than laminate though

LVT less slippy and warmer underfoot. I tossed up between LVT and wood flooring . So glad I chose LVT. 7 years and it still looks perfect.

We have both and the LVT feels warmer than the laminate. Also less slippy and easier to keep clean but a lot more expensive (we have amtico)

LVT definitely warmer and nicer all round.

Definitely LVT but would suggest you also look at linoleum. It's vastly improved since the dreary days of yore. My mother installed linoleum in her bedroom after getting flooded and it was really pleasant underfoot even with bare feet.

Do you have a budget OP ?…that might be your decider…..laminate can be a diy job….but LVT need laying by experts and this can cost as much as the product…you can’t skimp on the fitting though if you want the product to last

We are very fortunate that cost is not the main issue. Want to get this right. I understand that you need to add the price of the flooring again for the fitting. So if £45 per square metre then add another £45 per square metre for fitting.

Was originally definitely going for LVT but started thinking maybe look at laminate as I understand it can look more realistic (want wood effect). Have now realised that warmth, slipperiness and cleaning is more important so think I will still go with LVT.

Would linoleum be good for an open plan kitchen and dinning room/playroom?

Yes ours was about that. I’m really happy with the Amtico. You can get samples sent to your house from the website. They lay a layer of plywood, then self levelling latex over the top of that and then glue the LVT down on it. Very solid and you can change individual strips out if they get damaged which you can’t do with laminate. Laminate can also get damaged by water for example from a dishwasher leak whereas LVT doesn’t. LVT can get scratched though so we have felt pads on bottom of the chair legs.

Not sure if @GrumpyPanda means proper old fashioned linoleum, which Is now marketed as marmoleum?

If so it is lovely. Easy to clean, hard-wearing, warm under foot and can be sanded to repair if it gets damaged . Also has good environmental credentials as it is basically just sawdust and linseed oil.

Do you know how the price of marmoleum including fitting compare with LVT please and would it be suitable for an extended kitchen, dinning area and play area?

Bit if a pain re having to have felt pads on chairs, tables etc. I guess it would be th3 same with a waterproof laminate?

Ime LVT is warmer, equally easy to keep clean and marginally less slippery (though neither are particularly). We wanted Amtico but the design which caught our eye was in Karndean. Now in three rooms, we loved it and intend to have more.

I don't know nowdays. We had a large kitchen (3m by 5.5m) done about ten years ago and it was £1000 including fitting I think.

Another question. Just been researching more on LVT vs Waterproof Laminate and read that Waterproof Laminate as in Quick-Step Impressive Ultra range and says it’s ver scratch resistant. Going round in circles here!! I want a modern wood effect not a rustic floor.

It's confusing, isn't it!

Ultimately I think that both LVT and Laminate (assuming good quality such as Amtico / Quickstep respectively) would be fine in your situation. In terms of warmth, a lot will depend on your sub-floor. Mine will be insulated, so I'm not too worried about it. You could always provide slipper socks for the children in the colder months if it became a problem (which would also prevent slipping).

As regards scratching though, how would the floor be scratched? If pet scratching is a risk, then the laminate is probably better, but if you are worried about a child scratching it with an implement of some sort, then there isn't much that can stand up to that, I would think, so the priority might be to have whichever option is easier to replace in sections, if there is damage.

We were told that there isn't really such a thing as waterproof laminate- it just isn't designed to be wet. I was really sceptical of LVT but have to say I was quite pleased with the result. Would have gone for wood but we aren't in the house full time and open plan layout would mean one flooring throughout. Relying on others not to flood the floor with water ruled wood out for us and I (so far) don't regret the LVT.

Have you considered cork flooring? It’s come a long way from the curling tiles of the 70s/80s, is easy to clean and is soft and warm underfoot.

I was going to go for LVT but am now considering strand woven bamboo... These kind of decisions keep me up at night! 😂