LVT vs Engineered Wood Flooring

Subfloor preparation is the real cost driver

LVT is thin and unforgiving: every bump and dip in the subfloor telegraphs through to the finished surface. It usually requires a latex smoothing compound over screed, or a plywood overlay on timber, and that preparation is a meaningful part of the price.

Engineered boards are thicker and more tolerant, particularly when floated over an underlay, so a slightly imperfect subfloor is less of an obstacle.

Moisture and where each belongs

LVT is unaffected by water at the surface, which makes it the sensible choice in bathrooms, utility rooms, kitchens and hallways with an outside door. Engineered timber tolerates humidity far better than solid wood, but standing water at joints is still a problem.

Bathrooms and utilities: LVT · Kitchens: either, LVT if the household is hard on floors · Living rooms and bedrooms: engineered timber for warmth and depth · Conservatories and garden rooms: LVT for temperature swing tolerance

Underfloor heating

Both work over underfloor heating, and both need the same discipline: the system commissioned and cycled before laying, the floor allowed to acclimatise in the room, and the maximum surface temperature limited to what the manufacturer specifies.

Thermal resistance matters — a thick underlay under timber can noticeably reduce output, so the build-up should be checked against the heating design rather than chosen on comfort alone.

Damage and repairs

A damaged LVT plank can be lifted and swapped if you kept spares, but the replacement will not have aged with the rest and colour-matching a discontinued range years later is unrealistic.

Engineered timber with a thick enough wear layer can be sanded and refinished at least once, which is the strongest long-term argument for it and something no vinyl product offers.

Frequently asked questions

Does LVT feel cold underfoot?

Less than tile and more than timber. Over underfloor heating the difference largely disappears; over an uninsulated slab it will feel cold whatever you lay.

Can engineered wood go in a kitchen?

Yes, and it is common. The precautions are prompt attention to spills, a sensible mat by the sink and dishwasher, and a finish that can be locally repaired.

Is click LVT as good as glue-down?

Glue-down performs better over underfloor heating and in large open areas, and it feels more solid. Click systems are quicker to install and easier to lift, which suits rentals and temporary situations.

How flat does the subfloor need to be for LVT?

Very. Manufacturers specify tight tolerances over a given span, which in practice means a smoothing compound over most screeds and a plywood overlay over most timber floors.