Vinyl vs Timber vs Laminate Flooring: Which One's Right for You?

📖 6 min read

Spoiler alert: vinyl flooring isn't just the "budget option" anymore—it's having a full-on design renaissance. Whether you're renovating a rental, fitting out a new café, or planning the dream bathroom, the big question always comes up: Vinyl, timber, or laminate?

Let's break it down like a seasoned renovator with a strong coffee and a Pinterest board full of good intentions.

What Actually Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials like PVC, and it comes in several forms—most popularly as luxury vinyl planks or sheets. It's waterproof, budget-friendly, and available in a ridiculous number of styles, from marble-look to timber textures so real you'll do a double take.

Modern vinyl has come a long way from the sheet vinyl of the past. Today's luxury vinyl planks feature embossed textures, realistic grain patterns, and click-lock installation that makes them genuinely hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Explore the full range of vinyl flooring here.

Vinyl vs Timber Flooring: Nature vs Nurture?

Let's say timber is the charming but high-maintenance partner. Beautiful? Always. But it'll stress if you spill red wine, wear stilettos inside, or forget to re-seal it every few years.

Vinyl, on the other hand, is the laid-back friend that shrugs off water damage, scratches, and last-minute DIY installs. It gives you the timber look without the timber anxiety.

Check out our Timber Look Vinyl range to see just how realistic it can get.

When to choose timber: If you want the authentic feel of real wood, plan to stay in your home long-term, and don't mind the maintenance, engineered timber flooring is a beautiful investment. It can be sanded and refinished, and nothing quite matches the warmth of genuine hardwood.

When to choose vinyl: If you need waterproof performance, have pets or kids, want easy DIY installation, or are working with a tighter budget, vinyl delivers the look without the stress.

Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring: What's the Deal?

Both are great budget-friendly options—but vinyl takes the gold medal for wet areas. Laminate is made from compressed wood fibreboard with a photographic layer on top. It looks great and wears well, but it has a reputation for swelling if exposed to moisture.

Vinyl? Bring on the bathroom floods and kitchen chaos. It's 100% waterproof and won't flinch.

Browse our Laminate Flooring collection if you're after that wood-core feel for dry areas like bedrooms and living rooms. But if you're floor-prone to spills (pun intended), vinyl's your best mate.

What About Hybrid Flooring?

There's a third option worth mentioning: hybrid flooring. It's essentially vinyl's tougher cousin—featuring a rigid SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) core that's more dent-resistant and stable than standard vinyl.

Hybrid gives you:

• 100% waterproof performance like vinyl
• A more rigid, timber-like feel underfoot
• Better stability in temperature swings
• Pre-attached underlay for easier installation

If you want the waterproof benefits of vinyl with a more premium feel, hybrid is worth a look. Check out our SPC flooring range.

The Verdict: Should You Go Vinyl?

If you:

• Live with pets, kids, or chaotic adults
• Want the timber look without the timber price tag
• Are a DIY warrior on a budget
• Need something waterproof, durable, and easy to clean
• Are renovating a rental or investment property

...then yes, vinyl might just be your flooring soulmate.

Of course, laminate and timber both have their place—laminate offers great value and durability for dry zones, and timber is a natural beauty that can last decades with proper care.

But for flexibility, cost-efficiency, and a stress-free install? Vinyl's hard to beat.

Quick Guide: Which Floor for Which Room?

• Bathrooms & Laundries: Vinyl or Hybrid (waterproof is essential)
• Kitchen: Vinyl, Hybrid, or Laminate (vinyl/hybrid preferred for spill resistance)
• Living Areas: Any option works—choose based on budget and style preference
• Bedrooms: Vinyl, Laminate, or Engineered Timber (all great choices)
• High Traffic Hallways: Hybrid or quality Laminate (durability matters most)
• Rentals: Vinyl or Hybrid (low maintenance, tenant-friendly)

Summary for Skim Readers

• Vinyl is waterproof, affordable, and DIY-friendly—perfect for wet areas, rentals, and busy households
• Timber looks stunning but needs ongoing care—best for those who want authentic wood and don't mind maintenance
• Laminate is a solid middle-ground but not great in wet areas—ideal for bedrooms and living rooms
• Hybrid combines vinyl's waterproof performance with a more rigid, premium feel
• You've got choices, and we've got the floors to match

Before You Lay a Single Plank...

Take a moment to explore the options:

• Vinyl Flooring – Waterproof, affordable, and DIY-friendly
• Timber Look Vinyl Flooring – The wood aesthetic without the wood worries
• Laminate Flooring – Budget-friendly for dry areas
• Hybrid Flooring – The best of both worlds
• Engineered Timber – Real wood for those who want the genuine article

Want to see how they look in real homes? Check out our customer gallery for inspiration.

Ready to Choose?

Browse our full vinyl flooring range and find the perfect match for your next project.

Not sure which direction to go? Order free samples to compare colours and textures in your own space. Or get in touch with our team—we're happy to help you decide what'll look good, last long, and not freak out when your toddler pours orange juice on it.