Which floor suits your home, budget and lifestyle? Compare PVC, laminate, parquet, tiles, poured floors and carpet on price per m², durability and underfloor heating compatibility.
| Flooring type | Material (per m²) | Installation (per m²) | Total (per m²) | Lifespan | Underfloor heating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC / LVT | €18 – €55 | €8 – €15 | €26 – €70 | 15–25 years | ✓ Suitable |
| Laminate | €10 – €40 | €8 – €15 | €18 – €55 | 10–20 years | ⚠️ Limited |
| Engineered parquet | €25 – €75 | €10 – €18 | €35 – €93 | 15–25 years | ⚠️ Limited |
| Solid hardwood | €50 – €140 | €15 – €25 | €65 – €165 | 40–80 years | ❌ Not suitable |
| Tiles (ceramic) | €15 – €80 | €25 – €45 | €40 – €125 | 20–30 years | ✓ Ideal |
| Poured floor (PU) | €50 – €90 | €30 – €60 | €80 – €150 | 20–40 years | ✓ Ideal |
| Carpet | €8 – €40 | €5 – €12 | €13 – €52 | 8–15 years | ❌ Not suitable |
Waterproof, soft underfoot and suitable for underfloor heating. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. Cannot be sanded. Best value for money for most homes.
Cheapest wood-look option. Scratch-resistant but not waterproof — avoid in wet areas. Easy to install yourself (click-lock system). Limited suitability for underfloor heating (max. 29°C).
Real wood veneer (2–4 mm) on an HDF core. Authentic appearance, can be sanded a limited number of times (1–2x). Warmer feel than laminate. Limited suitability for underfloor heating; not for wet areas.
Solid wood (18–22 mm). Can be sanded multiple times — lifespan up to 80 years. High purchase price but lowest cost per year. Not suitable for underfloor heating or wet areas. Premium appearance.
Waterproof, hygienic and ideal for underfloor heating. Higher installation costs than wood. Feels cold without underfloor heating. Can crack under point loads; grout requires periodic maintenance.
Seamless, modern and ideal for underfloor heating. Extensive preparation required (flat concrete subfloor). Repairs are visible; professional installation required. Popular in open-plan kitchens and living rooms.
In addition to the floor itself, there are preparation costs that can significantly affect the total price:
| Preparation work | Cost (per m²) | When needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Removing old floor | €5 – €15/m² | Always for tiles/poured floors; optional for floating floors |
| Floor levelling (self-levelling compound) | €8 – €20/m² | When height difference >3mm/2m; mandatory for poured floors |
| Underlay / underfloor insulation | €3 – €12/m² | For laminate, PVC and engineered parquet (footstep noise, insulation) |
| Skirting board installation | €8 – €20/m¹ | Always with a new floor; skirting boards priced per linear metre |
| Threshold profiles | €15 – €45/pc. | Transition between rooms / to a tiled area |
Laminate and PVC click-lock planks are the cheapest options: material + installation together cost €25–€45 per m². Carpet is also affordable (€15–€50/m² including installation), but less durable. Poured floors and solid hardwood are the most expensive options (€80–€165/m²).
Tiles and poured floors are most suitable for underfloor heating due to their high thermal conductivity. PVC (LVT) is also well suited provided the manufacturer confirms compatibility (max. floor temperature 27°C). Laminate and engineered parquet are limited in suitability (max. 29°C). Solid hardwood and carpet are not or barely suitable for underfloor heating.
Not always. PVC click-lock planks and laminate can be installed over an existing level floor (floating installation). Tiles and poured floors require a flat, stable subfloor — often the old floor does need to be removed. Rule of thumb: if height differences exceed 3 mm per 2 metres, you need to level the floor first. Removing the old floor costs €5–€15 per m².
Lifespan per flooring type: solid hardwood 40–80 years (can be sanded), poured floor 20–40 years, tiles 20–30 years, engineered parquet 15–25 years, PVC/LVT 15–25 years, laminate 10–20 years, carpet 8–15 years. Solid hardwood has the longest lifespan when properly maintained.
Labour costs for floor installation: laminate/PVC click-lock planks €8–€15/m², engineered parquet €10–€18/m², solid hardwood €15–€25/m², tiles €20–€45/m² (depending on size and pattern), poured floor €30–€60/m². Add material costs for the total price.
PVC (LVT) and tiles are the easiest to maintain: waterproof, simple to sweep and mop. Laminate is also fairly low-maintenance but not waterproof. Solid hardwood and engineered parquet require periodic cleaning with a specialist cleaner and occasional oiling or varnishing. Carpet is the most maintenance-intensive: vacuuming and periodic steam cleaning.
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