Best 5 Laminate Flooring Brands And How To Choose In The Uk

UK Homeowners’ Guide to Laminate Flooring: Reviews of Quick-Step, Berry Alloc, Egger, Faus & Elka

Choosing the right flooring is essential for creating a comfortable, stylish, and durable home. For UK homeowners, laminate flooring is a popular option thanks to its affordability, easy installation, and wide range of designs.

However, with so many brands available, it can be challenging to know which one delivers the best performance, from scratch resistance and water protection to eco-friendly credentials. In this article, I review five leading laminate flooring brands—Quick-Step, Berry Alloc, Egger, Faus, and Elka—covering their thickness, durability, ease of installation, and standout features to help you choose the perfect floor for your home.

Quick-Step Laminate Flooring: My Thoughts on Durability, Design, and Use in the UK

Quick-Step is a popular choice for laminate flooring in the UK. I like it because it’s tough, has great designs, and you can install it yourself. Here’s my breakdown of why I think Quick-Step is a top brand:

Key Product Features & Specifications

A Wide Variety: I find that Quick-Step offers many different collections. The Largo range is impressive because it has their widest and longest planks at 9.5mm thick. You can choose from 14 realistic wood-effect finishes. The finishes have real-looking knots, grains, and textures like varnished, distressed, or oiled, which I think gives them a natural feel.

Dimensions & Materials:

Plank size: 1261mm x 192mm; thickness ranges from 8mm to 9.5mm.

The core is High-Density Fibreboard (HDF), which I find gives it extra strength.

It has an AC4 abrasion class, so I recommend it for busy homes and some commercial areas.

Great Surface Protection:

The layers resist scratches and stains. This helps the floor look new for a longer time.

On some ranges, like the Salto Novel Light Grey Oak, they use HydroSeal technology. This provides water resistance, so I suggest it for kitchens and bathrooms.

Uniclic Fitting System: This is a patented click system. It makes installation fast, and you don’t need glue. I think it’s easy for both DIYers and professionals to use.

Installation & Where to Buy in the UK

Easy to Install: The Uniclic system is great for DIY projects. I also suggest these floors because most are compatible with underfloor heating.

Widely Available: You can buy it at Wickes, B&Q, Howdens, and many local flooring stores.

Complete Accessory Line: You can get all the matching parts you need, including underlays and trims. This helps you achieve a professional-looking result.

Best Places to Use It

Good for Any Room: I recommend this flooring for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. You can even use the waterproof versions in bathrooms.

Egger Laminate Flooring: My Thoughts on Options, Performance, and Eco-Friendliness

Egger is a top choice for laminate flooring in the UK. I like their wide selection of products, their durability, and their serious approach to being eco-friendly. They offer everything from simple, budget-friendly floors to more advanced styles. I believe Egger has a laminate for almost any home or room.

Product Features & My Favorite Ranges

Variety and Sizes:
Egger offers floors in many thicknesses and finishes. I’m a fan of the Egger Home 10mm Phoenix EHL175. It has wide planks (193mm x 1292mm x 10mm). It comes in 18 color options, which gives you plenty of choices. These include oak, plank, and patterned styles like herringbone. One pack covers 2.175 m² (7 planks, weighing 15.82kg).

If you need a thinner floor, I suggest the Achensee Oak 7mm V Groove. Its size is 1292mm x 193mm x 7mm. It has a smooth, textured finish and a classic V-groove profile. One pack covers 2.4936 m². I find it works well in a lounge, bedroom, kitchen, or hallway.

The Canadian Pine is another 7mm option I often recommend. It does a great job looking like real wood. Its surface is strong, resists wear, and holds up well against sunlight.

Wear Classes and Durability:
Egger flooring has different toughness ratings, from AC3 (for moderate foot traffic) up to AC4 (for heavy use). For example, the Phoenix EHL175 is an AC4. I recommend this for busy homes with children or pets.

Easy Installation:
I like that all the main Egger lines—Home, Basic, Canadian Pine, Pro Classic—use a click system. This makes it much easier to install the floor yourself. You should know that an underlay is usually needed.

Pros, Cons & My Observations

Pros:

The wide price range works for both budget projects and high-end updates.

The quality is consistent, and you can find an option for any room.

They have a strong, proven commitment to being eco-friendly.

Cons:

It’s water-resistant but not waterproof, so I wouldn’t use it in bathrooms.

You almost always need to buy and install a separate underlay.

My Guide to Berry Alloc Laminate: Waterproof, Tough, and Versatile

I find Berry Alloc impressive. It mixes realistic wood and stone looks with advanced waterproofing and great toughness. It’s a top-rated laminate brand in the UK. I recommend it because it offers special features for both homes and businesses.

Key Berry Alloc Product Ranges & Specs

Ocean+ Series:

8mm thick, 190mm x 1288mm planks

Its HydroPlus tech makes it 100% waterproof. I think it’s a perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms.

It has a scratch-resistant surface. With Class 23 (Heavy Residential) and Class 32 (General Commercial) ratings, it works well in busy homes or even in shops.

Lifetime residential guarantee, 5-year commercial warranty

I like the style options, like modern concrete, distressed, and stone-look planks in neutral and grey colours.

Pack coverage: 2.20m²

Grand Avenue Range:

12.3mm thick, extra-long planks (2041mm x 241mm)

AC6 abrasion class (this is one of the strongest laminates you can buy).

It’s waterproof and works with underfloor heating. It also has an attached underlay, which makes it faster to install and quieter to walk on.

25-year residential warranty

Its visual styles include urban oak and grey wood. These designer looks can make large rooms feel more luxurious.

Gyant Warm Natural:

8mm thick, wide planks (241mm x 2038mm)

Features natural wood textures and is resistant to splashes and scratches.

PentaLoc click system: This system is glueless, which makes installation very fast.

Works with underfloor heating.

Lifetime residential warranty

Retail price: £29.99/m². You might see it priced at £35.99/m² on the high street.

Unique Berry Alloc Technologies

HydroPlus Water Resistance:
This technology keeps water out of the floor. For this price, it’s rare to find such good water protection in UK laminate flooring.

PentaLoc and Click Fitting Systems:
These click systems make DIY fitting much easier. They create tight, strong seams. I’ve noticed many planks also come with the underlay already attached.

High Wear Ratings:
AC5 and AC6 ratings show the floor can handle a lot of foot traffic. This makes it great for busy homes, classrooms, shops, and hotels.

Faus Laminate Flooring: Top-Grade Durability, Realism, and Waterproof Technology

Faus is a top-tier brand in the UK laminate flooring market. I like it because it’s incredibly durable, looks very realistic, and has great water resistance. I recommend it for any area that gets a lot of use, like busy shops or hallways in a family home.

Key Features & Technical Details

AC6 (Class 34) Rating: All core Faus laminate floors have an AC6 rating. This is the highest wear rating you can get, which means they are tougher than most other floors. They are built for heavy commercial use and resist scratches and marks well.

Waterproof “Aqua-0” Technology: The floor has a sealed click system and a special surface treatment. This makes it waterproof for up to 72 hours if you have a spill. I find this feature is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and even cafes or bars.

Plank & Tile Options: I like the variety Faus offers. You can get classic wood, stone, chevron, herringbone, or even detailed Victorian tile designs:

Industry Tile 8mm Concrete Tile: 1183mm × 601mm, realistic stone appearance, £35.21/m²

Masterpieces Chevron Herringbone Boho Ultra Matt: 1184mm × 293mm, classic pattern, £30.95/m² per pack

Victorian Tile Laminate: 1179/1183mm × 394mm, striking patterned style, £31.99/m²

Pack Coverage: Each pack covers between 2.08m² and 2.32m². This makes it simple to figure out how much you need to buy.

Thickness: Most collections are a standard 8mm thick. I find this is a great balance. It’s sturdy but not so thick that it’s hard to install or use with underfloor heating.

Edge Style: You can choose between 4v bevelled or square edges. This helps you match the floor to either a traditional or a modern style room.

Practical Performance & Use Cases

Superior Moisture, Scratch & Impact Resistance: Faus floors are made with a tough, high-density fibreboard. They also have ‘Jointguard’ edge protection and resins that repel water. I’ve found this combination makes the flooring highly resistant to damage and swelling from everyday life.

Antibacterial, Antistatic, and Non-slip: The floors are also antibacterial, antistatic, and non-slip. I think this makes them a safe choice for homes with allergies or kids, and for public areas. The flooring won’t attract dust and keeps its grip when wet.

Compatible with Underfloor Heating: It works with underfloor heating systems up to 26°C. This means you can use Faus flooring in new homes or renovations without any problems.

Elka Laminate Flooring: Reliable, Stylish, and Perfect for Wet Rooms in the UK

I recommend Elka laminate flooring for UK homes. It’s a great choice if you care about style and having a floor that lasts. Elka’s best features are its strength and realistic wood look. The installation is also fast and simple, which I think is perfect for busy UK families or if you want to install it yourself.

Key Features & Technical Specifications

Thickness & Structure: Most Elka floors are 8mm thick. If you need something tougher, I suggest a style like the Stoney Oak Aqua Protect, which is 12mm. All planks have a High-Density Fibre (HDF) core. This makes the floor feel solid and helps it stand up to daily wear and tear.

Surface Performance: The clear top layer is made to be very tough. It resists tiny scratches up to 10 times more than regular laminate. This helps your floor look new, even in busy areas of your house.

Water & Moisture Protection: I find Elka’s Aqua Protect technology to be a great solution for UK kitchens and bathrooms. The planks repel spills and splashes. Certain products are also rated as safe for use in wet zones.

Easy Fitting: Elka floors, using Uniclic or FitXpress systems, are made for DIY. You don’t need nails or glue, so there is less mess, and you can remove the floor easily in the future. I recommend letting the planks sit in the room for 2 days at 18–30°C before you start for the best results.

Underfloor Heating Compatible: You install Elka as a floating floor. This means it works well with underfloor heating. I think this is a great feature for keeping bedrooms and living rooms cozy during cold months.

Popular Styles & User Favorites

Elka Rustic Oak 8mm: I like this option because it looks just like real wood. It also washes clean easily, which is why many users love it for their kitchens. You can expect to pay £15–£20 per m² (including VAT).

Elka Pebble Oak Aqua Protect 8mm: This style has a strong AC4 durability rating, and each pack covers 2.179m². In my opinion, its smooth finish makes it a good choice for homes where allergies are a concern.

Elka Frosted Oak 8mm: This option has a minimal grey-white color that is perfect for modern rooms. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee, making it a great choice for bathrooms and other wet rooms.

Elka Stoney Oak Aqua Protect 12mm: This floor is extra strong and feels luxurious to walk on. I find that even amateur fitters can install it with ease.

Summary Checklist for UK Buyers

Choose the right thickness: 8mm for quiet rooms; 10–12mm for busy areas or slightly uneven subfloors.

Check the durability: I recommend looking for at least AC3. Get AC4–AC6 for busy homes or commercial use.

Look for waterproof features: This is very important for kitchens, bathrooms, and if you have pets.

Decide on DIY or professional install: A click-lock system makes DIY fitting easy.

Explore your style options: You can choose from wood-look, tile, herringbone, and many other finishes.

Balance price with how long you want it to last and how you’ll use it.

Most UK homeowners choose an 8–12mm, AC4-rated laminate. This gives a great mix of value, style, and strong performance. Brands like Quick-Step, Berry Alloc, Faus, Egger, and Elka offer these features in their best product lines.

My Final Verdict: Which Laminate Flooring Brand Suits Your Home?

When I help people choose laminate flooring for their UK homes, I tell them to look at five things: durability, design, budget, installation, and eco-friendliness. Here is a comparison of the top brands based on real data, prices, and my own recommendations:

Brand-By-Brand Breakdown

My final thought: For most UK homes, I think the ideal choice is a 10–12mm laminate with an AC4 rating or higher. It should also have water resistance and an eco-certification. Quick-Step, Berry Alloc, Faus, Egger, and Elka all have excellent products. You can choose based on your room’s specific needs and what’s most important to you, whether that’s durability, installation, style, or sustainability.