Campers and RVs need a floor with a particular set of characteristics. It needs to be strong, long-lasting, good value for money, lightweight – the list goes on.
Choosing the right floor can make or break your holiday home. A material that’s too dense will limit fuel efficiency, while a material that isn’t hardy enough won’t last a minute in high-traffic campers.
Color and style play a part, too. Campers are valuable assets and it’s important to choose a floor that doesn’t disrupt the vibe your camper has going on.
In this article, we’ll get into detail about the best flooring material for campers and RVs, and share our top picks of trending camper flooring ideas.
What is the Best Flooring to Put in a Camper? Laminate Vs Vinyl For RVs
Luxury vinyl flooring and laminate flooring are the best choices for campers and RVs. Both types of floors are strong, lightweight, and offer particular benefits for campervan and RV interiors – which we’ll get into below.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring: Pros & Cons
Pros:
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the top choices of flooring for campers and RVs. It’s lightweight, durable, and highly resistant to changes in humidity. It’s also easy to clean and offers a pleasant natural wood look – all for a highly affordable price tag.
The pros of luxury vinyl for RVs include that it’s:
- Water-resistant (square edges prevent moisture from seeping through the gaps in planks and causing mold)
- Anti-slip (a textured surface offers better grip)
- Highly durable (lasting 20, even 30 years)
- Easy to clean (simply wipe spillages and clean with a microfiber mop)
- Considerably lightweight (slightly lighter than laminate)
- Aesthetically pleasing (a grain effect offers a natural wood look and feel)
- Low cost (vinyl is renowned for its affordability)
- Versatile and easy to style (with a variety of luxury vinyl colors available)
- Easy to install (available as glue-down vinyl or as a floating floor)
Cons:
The negatives of luxury flooring for campers and RVs aren’t that bad, but it’s worth bearing them in mind.
While resilient, it doesn’t do well with long exposure to sunlight. Dropping a very heavy item will cause damage, but this is no different to most other flooring choices. It should also be cleaned as per luxury vinyl cleaning guidelines to prolong its life.
As a summary, the disadvantages of luxury vinyl in campers include:
- Heavy sunlight exposure can cause color fading over time (using rugs can help)
- Sharp objects can scratch or puncture the flooring (like a chef knife)
- Extremely heavy impact can cause dents (like dropping an appliance)
- It should be cleaned with a vinyl flooring cleaner to protect the surface
Laminate Flooring: Pros & Cons
Laminate flooring can be used in a camper or RV. Its natural wood look offers a rustic characteristic, with low prices helping RV owners to get more for less. Laminate is also highly durable and easy to clean, making it very low maintenance.
Be sure to choose waterproof laminate flooring in an RV or camper. Humidity levels can fluctuate in a camper, especially on cold days when natural ventilation is low. Waterproof laminate protects the surface from damp and water-induced damage.
Pros:
- Good resistance to scratches and dents
- Easy to install
- Lighter than hardwood or carpet
- Low maintenance
- Waterproof and humidity-resistant
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than luxury vinyl flooring
- Low sound-resistance
- It’s only resistant to moisture if installing a waterproof laminate
Top Picks: Best RV Camper Flooring Ideas
Explore our camper flooring ideas in laminate and luxury vinyl materials. All our top picks below are durable, lightweight, and water-resistant or waterproof, making them supreme choices of flooring for campervans and RV’s.
1. Happy Feet Mustang Honey – Luxury Vinyl
An unbeatable choice for a campervan and RV is our luxury vinyl in Mustang honey.
Its warm tone is in keeping with the traditional rustic look of camper interiors and is highly versatile, so it pairs well with any type of design.
2. COREtec Red River Hickory – Luxury Vinyl
Another classic choice is the beautiful hickory luxury vinyl.
Perfectly complemented by beechy-wood tones and prominent knotholes, it offers undeniable character to a campervan or RV.
3. Happy Feet Caramel – Luxury Vinyl
A bold, luxurious choice of flooring for a camper is a caramel luxury vinyl.
Offering a rich wood look with strong character grains, this luxury vinyl is the epitome of elegance and sophistication in a classic camper or RV.
4. TORLYS Damon Oak – Laminate
Impressively bright, our Damon oak laminate is a divine choice of flooring for campers and RVs.
An off-white surface draws the eye and illuminates every corner, making an interior feel bigger, brighter, and more modern.
5. TORLEYS Juventas Oak – Laminate
Go au-natural in your campervan or RV with our Juventus oak laminate floor.
A unique textured surface (known as EIR or Embossed-in-Register) creates an unparalleled authentic look.
As a lighter choice of wood floor, it easily conceals dirt and dust, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
6. TORLEYS Toulon Oak – Laminate
You can’t beat a dark wood floor – particularly in a campervan or RV.
When paired with modern camper interiors, it offers a richness and sense of luxury.
In traditional campers, the rustic look creates an outstanding feeling of intimacy and character.
FAQs
What is the Best Material For a Campervan Floor?
Luxury vinyl flooring is a versatile choice for campervans and RVs. It’s markedly easy to install and extremely lightweight, which is a crucial factor for RVs with weight limits. It’s also long-lasting, able to last upwards of 30 years with a good care routine.
Laminate is also a good flooring idea for campers. While not generally as lightweight as luxury vinyl, laminate is less dense than carpet or hardwood. Waterproof laminate withstands moisture, humidity, and spillages extremely well, and its surface is hard to dent.
What Flooring Shouldn’t Be Used in a Camper?
Hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood aren’t the best choice for a camper. While they’re both highly durable and can add value, their heavy weight can be difficult for campers and RVs.
You can install hardwood in your camper, and some people do, but it’s not often recommended.
Linoleum is arguably the most affordable option, but it isn’t cost-effective. The surface isn’t durable and doesn’t last long. It’s easily scratched and punctured, even by everyday items, like a stone under your shoes.
The water resistance of lino is also low, so it doesn’t perform well in bathrooms, kitchens, or campers with fluctuating humidity.
Which Color Floors Go Best in a Camper?
Campervans tend to adopt more traditional color schemes, with many opting for rustic interior designs. Therefore, neutral tones like beige, brown, and wood floors are well-suited to a camper or RV.
In more contemporary campervans, grey and white color schemes are popular. Campers without traditional wood cabinets and tabletops look modern with gray flooring or greige laminate, particularly when it matches the rest of the interior.
Summary
Choosing a camper flooring is a big decision. There’s durability, practicality, cost-effectiveness, and style to keep in mind. The floor also has to be strong enough to withstand the requirements of an RV.
You also have to think about style. Campers tend to hold their value, particularly if the design is traditional or luxurious. But the wrong flooring choice can make it harder to sell – or even devalued.
Potential buyers expect a certain color scheme and aesthetic, so you want to leave the floor in keeping with tradition. Luxury vinyl or waterproof laminate are ultimately the best camper flooring ideas.
Ready to upgrade your camper floor? Use our flooring visualizer to see what color and style suits your interior the best, or explore our flooring range to find your perfect choice of strong, durable, and waterproof RV floor.
