What Are The Best Flooring Brands For Different Flooring Types?

When you’ve spent as many years fitting floors as I have, you learn which brands live up to the hype and which don’t quite cut the mustard. And something I’ve found along the way is that choosing the best flooring brands isn’t about name alone, but about understanding how each one performs in real homes and commercial spaces.

I run Derwenthorpe Flooring here in York, and day to day, I’m inside new builds in Heworth, period terraces in Acomb, offices in the city, and family homes in Bishopthorpe and Huntington. I’ve completed hundreds of installs, repairs, and replacements, and I’ve noticed a few patterns in my time. This includes everything from flooring durability to design quality, installation quirks, and the brands that consistently make customers say things like: “That looks even better than I expected.”

So, today I’ll break down the flooring brands and styles that people ask me about most. I’ll explore laminate flooring, LVT, and vinyl, and tell you which brands deliver the best results in each category.

Let’s kick things off with an old favourite.

Laminate flooring: the best brands for everyday durability and style

Laminate flooring remains one of the most popular choices for homeowners in York and the wider UK. This is particularly true for families who want a modern, moisture-proof material for kitchens and bathrooms. However, laminate varies massively in quality, so it’s hard to know which manufacturer to trust.

Here are two laminate flooring brands I really like working with:

1. Quick-Step: the market leader for reliability

If someone asks me, “Who makes the best laminate flooring brands right now?”, Quick-Step is one of the first brands that pops to mind. Their products lock together perfectly, are incredibly resistant to surface wear, and the water-resistant ranges hold up well in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways alike.

In fact, just last winter, I fitted Quick-Step in a busy family home in Poppleton. It was a classic situation of regular muddy boots, a dog that loved jumping in puddles, and three kids who would absolutely annihilate cheap laminate. So, I opted for Quick-Step, and the floor still looked brand new months later. This was a testament to its quality, so much so that the homeowner messaged me to say it was “the most hassle-free flooring” they’d ever owned. High praise indeed!

2. Balterio: excellent for realistic textures

If style and a realistic wooden aesthetic matter most, Balterio is an outstanding choice for home and business owners.

The depth of texture and wood-grain detail regularly makes customers double-take when I tell them it isn’t authentic wood, and they can’t wait to have it installed in their commercial rental properties, boutique shops, and Airbnb properties.

Essentially, Balterio is an excellent choice for those who want that high-end look and quality materials, without the eye-watering cost.

LVT flooring: the brands that lead in strength, comfort, and waterproofing

LVT (luxury vinyl tile) has become one of the most-requested kinds of flooring I install in York and beyond. It’s not hard to see why, either, because not only is it waterproof and warmer underfoot than tile, but when you choose the right brand, it’s incredibly long-lasting.

Here are a few of the best LVT flooring brands currently on the UK market:

1. Amtico: the premium benchmark

Amtico is the brand I recommend when someone wants the absolute best for their laminate floor. It’s flexible, thick, more layered than Shrek, and extended guarantees make it ideal for both high-end homes and commercial premises.

In fact, I recently installed Amtico Signature in a renovated townhouse near Bootham. The herringbone pattern was so convincing that the owner’s guests thought it was traditional parquet. And not only did it look the part, but it also completely transformed the acoustics and comfort of the space.

2. Karndean: versatile, beautiful, and practical

Karndean consistently ranks among the best LVT flooring brands because of its balance of durability, softness, and natural-looking patterns. This makes it great for a variety of living spaces, such as kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms. It’s also popular in commercial diners, busy offices, and anywhere that wants flooring that’s as hardwearing as it is stylish.

3. Luvanto: great quality at a more accessible price

Luvanto flooring works well in high-moisture environments, such as kitchens and bathrooms, due to its durability and waterproof materials. It’s also scratch-resistant and comfortable to walk on, which makes it a strong choice for rental properties, small offices, and busy retail spaces.

It’s also relatively affordable compared to solid hardwood, ceramic tile, or natural slate, which is why it’s so popular in the UK.

Vinyl flooring: best brands for comfort, simplicity, and low-maintenance living

 

Vinyl still often gets overlooked because people associate it with older or lower-quality products. However, modern vinyl is an entirely different proposition, especially when you pick the right brands.

Here are some of my favourite vinyl flooring brands for homeowners in York and around the country:

1. Tarkett: exceptional comfort and noise control

Tarkett is superb for homes where a soft, warm, cushioned feel is preferred. It’s especially suited to bedrooms, playrooms, and top-floor flats where the emphasis is on reducing sound.

For example, I recently had a client in Holgate who wanted something softer for their toddler’s room. My first thought was Tarkett, as it would give them the comfort they wanted and an easy-clean surface for spills and colouring-pen disasters. It hit the mark on all of those fronts, and the client was very pleased with the result.

2. Rhinofloor: heavy-duty and budget-friendly

Rhinofloor is one of the vinyl flooring brands for those who want real heavy-duty toughness. It’s excellent in kitchens and bathrooms thanks to its slip-resistant surface and cushioned feel, and it’s practical for busy commercial environments because it’s easy to clean and, as I mentioned, extremely durable.

It’s also scratch- and scuff-resistant, so it can handle homes with kids, pets, and other demanding floor spaces.

3. Beauflor: best for design variety

If a customer wants modern patterns, stone effects, or something more playful for their home or business, Beauflor has options that fit almost every design style. It’s equally at home in kitchens as it is in bathrooms and hallways, too, mainly because it’s water-resistant and easy to clean, as well as being versatile in the design department.

My final advice: choose the brand that matches the space

A beautiful floor is about how it holds up over years of daily life, as well as its appearance. The best flooring brands each have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s all about picking one that works for your space.

This means considering everything from how it looks to how it behaves under pressure, and what kind of environment you’re looking to install the flooring in. All of these factors make all the difference and can help guide you towards the right decision.

Best flooring brands frequently asked questions

These are the questions York homeowners, business owners, and landlords ask me most about flooring brands.

What is the most durable flooring type overall?

LVT flooring from brands like Amtico or Karndean is usually the most durable, as well as Rhinofloor vinyl flooring. All of them are waterproof, durable, and long-lasting in various circumstances.

What are the best flooring brands for rental properties?

Quick-Step laminate and Luvanto LVT perform brilliantly at a sensible price point, so they’re popular with landlords renting out properties.

Which flooring is best for pets?

Quick-Step laminate and Karndean LVT are among the best pet-friendly flooring options, as both are scratch-resistant and easy to clean.

Is sheet vinyl still a good option?

Absolutely, especially from brands like Tarkett or Rhinofloor. And in a more general sense, modern vinyl is softer, warmer, and far more stylish than it used to be, making it a viable option in today’s modern home or business.

Which brands work best for offices?

I’d go with Amtico for design-focused offices, Karndean for durability, or Balterio laminate for a beautiful wood look on a budget.