Flooring Costs: Compare Types and Prices
Compare tiles, engineered wood, LVT, laminate, carpet, and concrete prices per square metre. Tips for choosing the right floor for each room.
Flooring is one of the highest-impact changes you can make to a room - and one of the most confusing to price. With six main material types, each available at budget through premium levels, costs range from £10 to £150 per square metre. This guide cuts through the confusion with real UK prices and practical advice.
Flooring Types at a Glance
| Material | Cost/m² (installed) | Lifespan | Waterproof? | UFH Compatible? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet | £10–£40 | 5–15 years | No | Poor | Bedrooms, stairs |
| Laminate | £15–£35 | 8–15 years | No | Fair | Budget living rooms |
| LVT | £25–£60 | 15–25 years | Yes | Good | Kitchens, bathrooms, living areas |
| Engineered wood | £40–£80 | 20–30 years | No | Good | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Porcelain tiles | £40–£90 | 30–50 years | Yes | Excellent | Kitchens, bathrooms, extensions |
| Natural stone | £60–£150 | 50+ years | Varies | Excellent | Hallways, premium kitchens |
Carpet
Still the UK's most popular flooring for bedrooms and stairs. Warm, soft, and affordable.
Costs
| Quality | Cost/m² (fitted) | Typical Bedroom (12m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (polypropylene) | £10–£18 | £120–£216 |
| Mid-range (wool blend 80/20) | £18–£30 | £216–£360 |
| Premium (100% wool) | £30–£50 | £360–£600 |
| Underlay (essential) | £3–£8 | £36–£96 |
Fitting charge: Most carpet retailers include fitting in the per-m² price. Expect to pay £3–£6/m² for fitting if quoted separately.
Best for: Bedrooms and stairs. Avoid in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways near external doors.
Laminate
An affordable hard floor option that mimics wood or stone using a photographic layer over an HDF core.
Costs
| Quality | Cost/m² (fitted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £15–£22 | Thin (7mm), basic patterns, short lifespan |
| Mid-range | £22–£30 | 8–10mm, realistic textures, click-lock |
| Premium | £30–£40 | 12mm, bevelled edges, AC5 rating |
Fitting charge: £5–£10/m² for professional installation, or DIY-friendly with click-lock systems.
Pros: Cheap, easy to fit, wide style range Cons: Not waterproof (swells when wet), hollow sound underfoot, cannot be refinished, shorter lifespan than alternatives
Verdict: Being overtaken by LVT in popularity. LVT costs marginally more but is waterproof, quieter, and lasts longer.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
The fastest-growing flooring category in the UK. A multi-layer vinyl product that realistically mimics wood, stone, or tile.
Costs
| Quality | Cost/m² (fitted) | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Budget LVT | £25–£35 | Moduleo, Egger Design |
| Mid-range LVT | £35–£50 | Karndean, Amtico Spacia |
| Premium LVT | £50–£70 | Amtico Signature, Karndean Art Select |
Fitting charge: £8–£15/m² for professional fitting (glue-down or click).
Pros: Waterproof, warm underfoot, quiet, realistic appearance, individual planks replaceable, works with UFH Cons: Not as hard-wearing as tile, can be dented by heavy furniture, premium brands are expensive
Best for: Open-plan kitchen-diners, bathrooms, hallways, any high-traffic area where waterproofing matters.
Engineered Wood
Real wood veneer (2–6mm) bonded to a plywood or HDF core. Looks and feels like solid wood but is more stable and compatible with underfloor heating.
Costs
| Quality | Cost/m² (fitted) | Veneer Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £40–£55 | 2–3mm (can be sanded once) |
| Mid-range | £55–£70 | 3–4mm (can be sanded 2–3 times) |
| Premium | £70–£100 | 4–6mm (can be sanded multiple times) |
Fitting charge: £8–£15/m² (floating or glued).
Pros: Real wood look and feel, works with UFH, more stable than solid wood, can be refinished Cons: Not waterproof (avoid bathrooms), scratches over time, requires acclimatisation before fitting
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms. The premium choice for warm, natural-feeling floors.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
The gold standard for kitchens, bathrooms, and extensions. Extremely durable, waterproof, and the best conductor for underfloor heating.
Costs
| Quality | Cost/m² (fitted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget ceramic | £30–£45 | Smaller formats, basic designs |
| Mid-range porcelain | £45–£70 | 600×600mm, wood-look or stone-look |
| Large-format porcelain | £60–£90 | 600×1200mm or larger, premium brands |
| Premium porcelain | £80–£120 | Rectified, slim gauge, designer collections |
Fitting charge: £25–£45/m² for professional tiling (including adhesive and grout). Large-format tiles cost more to lay.
Additional costs:
- Tile adhesive and grout: £5–£10/m²
- Floor levelling (if needed): £5–£15/m²
- Underfloor heating mats: £30–£50/m² (electric)
Pros: Extremely durable, waterproof, best for UFH, huge style range, easy to clean Cons: Hard and cold without UFH, can crack if subfloor moves, grout needs maintenance, more expensive to fit
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, extensions - anywhere durability and waterproofing matter.
Natural Stone
Marble, limestone, slate, travertine, and granite. Premium natural materials with unique character.
Costs
| Material | Cost/m² (fitted) |
|---|---|
| Slate | £50–£90 |
| Limestone | £60–£120 |
| Travertine | £60–£110 |
| Marble | £80–£150 |
| Granite | £80–£140 |
Fitting charge: £30–£50/m² (specialist stone layer recommended).
Pros: Unique natural beauty, extremely long-lasting, excellent thermal mass for UFH Cons: Most expensive option, some types stain easily (limestone, marble), requires sealing, heavy (check floor structure)
Best for: Hallways, premium kitchens, period properties - where the natural character justifies the cost.
Choosing by Room
| Room | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Porcelain tiles or LVT | Waterproof, durable, easy to clean |
| Kitchen extension | Porcelain + UFH | Best thermal performance |
| Bathroom | Porcelain tiles or LVT | Waterproof essential |
| Living room | Engineered wood or LVT | Warm, comfortable, stylish |
| Bedroom | Carpet or engineered wood | Soft and warm underfoot |
| Hallway | Porcelain tiles, LVT, or engineered wood | Hardwearing, handles foot traffic |
| Stairs | Carpet | Safest and quietest |
| Garage conversion | Porcelain tiles or LVT | Handles moisture, durable |
Next Steps
- Measure your rooms - length × width for each room in square metres
- Choose by room function - use the table above as a starting point
- Order 10% extra - wastage from cutting, especially for tiles
- Check your subfloor - may need levelling before hard flooring (£5–£15/m²)
- Consider UFH compatibility if you're installing underfloor heating - the Energy Saving Trust has guidance on efficient heating
- Get fitting quotes - find quality-assured fitters through TrustMark; some retailers include fitting
- Use our repair calculator for flooring cost estimates in your area
Frequently Asked Questions
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