In short: choose parquet if you want natural wood flooring that lasts for decades and can be sanded and refinished later on. Choose vinyl flooring if the floor needs to be waterproof, quiet and low-maintenance – for example in a kitchen, hallway, bathroom or a home with pets. Many homes use both: parquet in living rooms and bedrooms, and vinyl flooring in damp rooms.
Parquet and vinyl flooring at a glance
Parquet is a natural wood floor covering. The top layer of engineered parquet is real wood (usually oak or ash), finished with lacquer, oil or hardwax oil. Our range includes 1-strip and 3-strip parquet, herringbone parquet and veneer parquet.
Vinyl flooring is a vinyl floor covering with a wood- or stone-effect decorative layer and a hard-wearing protective wear layer on top. There are two main types: flexible LVT, which is glued down or laid with a click system, and SPC with a rigid core.
Comparison table
| Parquet | Vinyl flooring | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural wood | Vinyl with a wood- or stone-effect decor |
| Moisture resistance | Conventional parquet does not tolerate standing water; waterproof wood parquets are also available | Vinyl is a waterproof material |
| Wear resistance | Good, depends on the surface finish | Very good, scratch- and impact-resistant |
| Renovation | Can be sanded and refinished | Cannot be sanded; a damaged plank can be replaced |
| Footfall noise | Depends on the underlay and installation | Quiet, especially glue-down LVT |
| Underfloor heating | Engineered parquet is suitable | Suitable; thin and conducts heat well |
| Feel underfoot | Warm, natural wood | Warm and softer than tiles |
| Lifespan | Decades, even longer with sanding | Long, depends on the wear layer |
Which is more moisture-resistant?
Compared with conventional parquet, vinyl flooring. Vinyl does not absorb water or swell, so it suits kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and anywhere water may end up on the floor. Conventional parquet copes with normal household humidity, but spills should be wiped up straight away and indoor relative humidity is best kept at around 40–60%. Conventional parquet is not suitable for constantly wet areas such as under a shower. The exception is special waterproof wood parquet, which is designed for wet rooms as well.
Which is more durable?
In everyday use, vinyl flooring usually stands up better to scratches, knocks and pet claws, because its surface is protected by a hard-wearing layer. The advantage of parquet is that a worn surface can be sanded and refinished – so parquet can last for decades and look as good as new again. Vinyl flooring cannot be sanded, but a damaged plank can be replaced.
Are both suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes. Engineered parquet and vinyl flooring are both suitable for underfloor heating. Vinyl flooring is thin and conducts heat well, so the room warms up quickly. With either floor, the surface temperature should generally not exceed 27 °C. Underfloor heating suitability is listed in each product’s details. Read more in our guide which flooring is suitable for underfloor heating.
How are they installed?
Click parquet and click vinyl can be floated, without adhesive. Parquet needs an underlay, while click vinyl often has an underlay already attached to the plank. Glue-down LVT and herringbone parquet are glued to a levelled subfloor. In both cases the subfloor must be flat and dry, and an expansion gap must be left around the walls.
Which is easier to look after?
Vinyl flooring is low-maintenance: a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth are all you need. Lacquered parquet is also easy to care for, while oiled or hardwax-oiled parquet needs occasional maintenance with a care oil. For both, it is worth fitting felt pads under furniture legs.
Which should you choose?
- Living room, bedroom, study: parquet if you value natural wood and a long lifespan; vinyl flooring if you want a low-maintenance, quiet floor.
- Kitchen and hallway: vinyl flooring, or lacquered parquet if spills are wiped up straight away.
- Bathroom: vinyl flooring, ceramic tiles or a special waterproof wood parquet; conventional parquet is not suitable.
- Pets and children: vinyl flooring is more resistant to scratches and liquids.
- Holiday home or rarely heated rooms: vinyl flooring copes better with changes in temperature and humidity.
Browse our parquet flooring range and vinyl flooring range. If you’re unsure, write to us – we’ll help you choose the right floor free of charge.