What is the difference between laminate, SPC and engineered hardwood?

Laminate has a printed decor over a dense fibreboard core, SPC is a rigid waterproof stone-composite core with a printed wear layer, and engineered hardwood has a genuine timber surface bonded to a stable plywood or engineered core. Laminate and SPC reproduce the look of wood, while engineered hardwood is real wood.

Which flooring is best for a kitchen or utility room?

Waterproof SPC is the most forgiving choice for kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms because the core is unaffected by water. Water-resistant laminate is also widely used in kitchens where spills are cleaned promptly.

Which flooring is best with children and pets?

Laminate and SPC both offer hard-wearing surfaces that stand up well to busy family life. Engineered hardwood is a natural material that marks more readily, but it can be refinished depending on wear-layer thickness.

Floors

Our Flooring Ranges

From hard-wearing laminates to fully waterproof SPC and engineered oak herringbone, explore the ranges we supply and fit across Dublin and surrounding areas.

Laminate Water Resistant

AC5 water-resistant laminate floors in herringbone, straight plank and premium plank designs.

35 ranges

SPC / LVT Waterproof

Fully waterproof rigid-core SPC and LVT planks, herringbone and tiles. Perfect for bathrooms and utility rooms.

5 ranges

Hardwoods

Engineered European oak in plank widths from classic to extra wide, with natural oiled and lacquered finishes.

9 ranges

Hardwood Herringbone

Timeless herringbone in engineered oak — the classic parquet look, beautifully fitted.

5 ranges

Accessories

Trims, profiles and premium underlays to finish the job properly.

2 ranges

Laminate vs SPC vs Engineered Hardwood

The three hard-flooring categories homeowners compare most. Each one is a genuinely good floor — the question is which suits the room, the household and the way you live.

Comparison of laminate, waterproof SPC and engineered hardwood flooring
	Laminate	Waterproof SPC	Engineered hardwood
Appearance	High-definition printed wood and herringbone decors with embossed textures.	Printed wood and stone decors on a rigid core, including plank, herringbone and tile formats.	A genuine European oak surface — real grain, knots and tonal variation.
Water resistance	Water-resistant ranges cope with everyday spills when cleaned promptly.	Fully waterproof core — the most forgiving option for wet rooms.	Real timber; keep standing water off and wipe spills quickly.
Durability	Hard, scratch-resistant wear layer suited to busy hallways and living areas.	Dense and dent-resistant, with a tough wear layer for high-traffic rooms.	Long-lived and, depending on wear-layer thickness, can be sanded and refinished.
Maintenance	Sweep and damp mop with a laminate-safe cleaner.	Simple to clean; tolerates wet mopping.	Wood-specific cleaner and occasional re-oiling depending on the finish.
Underfloor heating	Many ranges are approved with a compatible underlay — check the specification.	Thin, dense construction transfers heat well; follow the maximum temperature stated.	Engineered construction is the usual wood choice over heating; confirm per range.
Family and pets	Very practical for children and pets.	Excellent — waterproof and hard to mark.	Beautiful but marks more readily; refinishable over time.
Typical rooms	Hallways, living rooms, bedrooms.	Kitchens, utility rooms, bathrooms, open-plan spaces.	Living rooms, dining rooms, hallways and feature spaces.
Installation	Floating click installation over a suitable underlay.	Floating click installation; low build-up height over existing sub-floors.	Floating or glued depending on the range and sub-floor.
Positioning	The most accessible way to get a convincing wood look.	Mid-range performance flooring where water resistance is the priority.	Our premium natural-material option.

Which category suits your home?

If water is the main concern — kitchens, utility rooms, bathrooms or an open-plan ground floor with children and pets — start with waterproof SPC flooring. If you want a convincing wood look with strong everyday durability, look at laminate flooring, including 12mm and herringbone formats.

If you want a real timber floor with natural character, choose engineered hardwood flooring — or the same construction in a parquet layout with engineered hardwood herringbone. For bedrooms and landings, most homes still choose carpet.

Next steps

Flooring a whole property? See our new build flooring service. Working out a budget? Read what determines the cost of flooring a house in Ireland, and if your home has underfloor heating, see our underfloor heating flooring guide.

Still deciding? Preview any floor in your own room with our AI Room Visualiser or book a free measure and consultation with our team.