Flooring Guides
Laminate vs LVT Glue-Down vs SPC Click Flooring
Choosing between laminate, LVT glue-down and SPC click flooring comes down to durability, water resistance, installation requirements and long-term practicality. All three can create an attractive wood or stone-effect finish, but they perform very differently once moisture, furniture, pets and heavy foot traffic get involved.
Which Flooring Is Best Overall?
For many homes and commercial interiors, SPC click flooring offers the strongest all-round combination of durability, waterproof performance and straightforward installation. Laminate can look attractive and feel familiar underfoot, but it isn't fully waterproof. LVT glue-down gives a slim, attractive vinyl finish, but installation relies heavily on a smooth, properly prepared subfloor.
Best all-round choice: SPC click flooring, thanks to its waterproof core, dimensional stability and practical click installation.
Best for dry, low-impact rooms: Laminate flooring, particularly where exposure to water is unlikely.
Best for perfectly prepared subfloors: LVT glue-down, especially where a low-profile bonded floor is required.
Best for busy homes, kitchens and hallways: SPC click flooring, thanks to its durability and waterproof performance.
The Main Differences at a Glance
A good flooring comparison looks beyond appearance alone. The real differences become clearer once you consider moisture, impact, movement, subfloor preparation and installation.
Laminate
Wood-Based Core
- Realistic wood-effect finish
- Generally not waterproof
- Can swell if water reaches the core
- Best in bedrooms and dry living spaces
LVT Glue-Down
Bonded Vinyl
- Handles moisture well
- Needs a smooth, prepped subfloor
- Can show imperfections beneath it
- More difficult to remove or replace
SPC Click
Rigid & Waterproof
- Rigid stone polymer composite core
- Click-lock floating installation
- Waterproof, dimensionally stable
- Forgiving of minor subfloor variation
Durability and Everyday Performance
Durable flooring needs to cope with far more than normal foot traffic — furniture moves, chairs scrape, shoes bring in grit, children drop objects, pets run through rooms, and kitchens regularly see spills and splashes. This is where SPC click flooring offers several practical advantages.
Laminate can perform well in dry areas, but its wood-based core is more vulnerable if water reaches the joints or edges. LVT glue-down can also perform very well, but much of its long-term performance depends on the condition of the subfloor beneath it — dust, moisture, uneven areas or old adhesive can all affect adhesion and lifespan. SPC click flooring avoids the need for full-surface adhesive, allowing it to be installed as a floating floor, though correct subfloor preparation still matters.
Which Flooring Handles Water Best?
Water resistance is one of the biggest differences between the three. SPC click flooring has a waterproof rigid core, making it particularly well suited to modern homes where spills, wet shoes, pets and regular cleaning are part of everyday life.
Laminate is generally not waterproof — if water enters the joints and reaches the core, boards can swell or become permanently damaged through spilled drinks, wet shoes, pet bowls, leaks or excessive wet mopping. Once laminate has swollen, repairing the damage can be difficult. LVT glue-down also performs well around moisture as a vinyl product, but the quality of the adhesive, subfloor and installation remains important.
Laminate — easy to sweep and maintain, but generally not waterproof and shouldn't be exposed to standing water.
LVT glue-down — performs well around moisture, but the adhesive, subfloor and installation quality matter.
SPC click — a waterproof rigid core and practical floating installation, ideal for kitchens, utility rooms and hallways.
Installation Requirements Can Affect the Real Cost
The cheapest flooring to buy isn't necessarily the cheapest once preparation, fitting time, labour and future maintenance are considered — particularly when comparing glue-down flooring vs click flooring.
LVT glue-down requires a smooth and clean subfloor because it's bonded directly to the surface beneath it. Any bumps, cracks, old adhesive, dust, moisture or uneven areas can affect the finished result, and because the flooring is relatively thin and flexible, imperfections in the subfloor may show through it. Additional work such as levelling, priming, filling cracks or removing old adhesive may be needed before installation.
Laminate is generally simpler to install than glue-down LVT, but its moisture resistance remains a limitation. SPC click flooring offers another approach entirely — a locking click system that avoids full-surface adhesive and provides better moisture resistance than traditional laminate, making it an attractive option for buyers looking for a straightforward installation method.
SPC Flooring Benefits for Modern Homes
A good floor needs to withstand traffic, spills, cleaning, furniture, pets and everyday use while remaining stable and easy to maintain. SPC click flooring has become increasingly popular because it delivers on all of this.
Waterproof core — a major advantage over traditional laminate in areas where moisture may be present.
Rigid construction — a strong, stable core that keeps the floor dimensionally stable during normal use.
Click installation — a locking system rather than full-surface adhesive, making fitting more convenient.
Realistic designs — modern wood and stone-effect finishes that combine practical performance with good looks.
Why the Specification of SPC Flooring Matters
Not all SPC click flooring is manufactured to the same specification. Core thickness, wear layer, underlay and click system can all affect the performance and feel of the finished floor. Our SPC click flooring features:
5mm SPC Core
Rigid & Stable
A rigid, stable foundation with genuine dimensional stability and a solid feel underfoot.
0.5mm Wear Layer
Protective Surface
Extra protection against everyday foot traffic, furniture and general wear.
1.5mm Integrated Underlay
Built In
No separate underlay needed, plus a better feel underfoot.
Where Laminate and LVT Glue-Down Still Make Sense
A balanced comparison should recognise that the other two options still have their place.
Laminate — suitable for dry bedrooms, home offices and spare rooms, at a competitive price, provided you understand its limitations around moisture.
LVT glue-down — well suited to large commercial areas, low-profile floor requirements, or properties with professionally prepared, extremely smooth subfloors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SPC click flooring better than laminate?
For most homes, yes. SPC click flooring has a waterproof rigid core and better dimensional stability than laminate, which has a wood-based core that can swell or become damaged if water reaches it. Laminate can still be a good, cost-effective choice for dry rooms such as bedrooms and studies.
Is LVT glue-down or SPC click flooring easier to install?
SPC click flooring is generally easier to install. It uses a click-lock system and is laid as a floating floor, avoiding full-surface adhesive. LVT glue-down requires a smooth, clean and properly prepared subfloor, which can mean levelling, priming or filling cracks before fitting.
Can laminate flooring get wet?
Laminate is generally not waterproof. If water reaches the wood-based core through the joints — from spills, wet shoes, pet bowls or leaks — the boards can swell and become permanently damaged. It's best kept to dry areas rather than kitchens or bathrooms.
Do I need underlay with SPC click flooring?
Not with our range. Every SPC click flooring plank has a 1.5mm underlay integrated as standard, so there's no separate underlay to buy or lay where installation conditions meet the product requirements.
What's the specification of your SPC click flooring?
Our SPC click flooring has a 5mm rigid core, 0.5mm wear layer, 1.5mm integrated underlay, Unilin click system, 1220mm x 183mm planks, and a 25-year residential warranty as standard.
Ready to Compare Flooring Options?
Browse our full range of SPC click flooring and LVT flooring at outlet prices, all with integrated underlay and a 25-year residential warranty as standard.