When you think of flooring, you probably don’t worry a whole lot about waterproofness. Indoor floors are all waterproof, right? Well, no, they aren’t. In fact, some are remarkably susceptible to water damage.
What happens with floors that aren’t labeled waterproof? Laminate and carpet are both famous for how poorly they handle water. Hardwood floors are also a poor choice for areas where standing water might happen. Here are some of the unsightly symptoms of water damage:
- Warping: This is caused by changes in humidity and temperature that allow the materials to grow and then shrink. It results in gaps between floorboards or curling at laminate edges.
- Buckling: This happens to wood floors when the wood swells so much it becomes detached from the substrate and “tents,” or peaks upwards.
- Sagging or Sinking: You may notice soft spots in hardwood floors due to rotten wood, which feels spongy compared to normal wood. Water can seep into subflooring of all types of flooring material and cause sagging.
- Swelling or Expansion: Wood and laminate floors will “expand” when they absorb too much water because the material swells and then separates.
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Which Flooring Options are Waterproof?
Although there are some choices that are out for places that are exposed to moisture, there are also some good choices that work great for these areas. Here’s a list of choices for you to consider:
Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl flooring in general is known to be a great choice is areas where water spills, and is not to be confused with laminate flooring. Waterproof vinyl plank flooring is an attractive stand-in for natural wood, with the look of many different types of lumber available. Meanwhile, it protects your floors from water damage like wood couldn’t.
Waterproof Laminate
Laminate flooring as a category is not necessarily waterproof. In fact, standard laminate flooring is a very poor choice for wet areas. But waterproof laminate flooring is created for just this occasion, and stands up to water! As far as waterproof options go, this is not the most iron-clad waterproofness, but it carries other qualities like low cost that you might like.
Porcelain Tile
Not all tile is waterproof. In fact all tile absorbs a little water. Porcelain is considered impervious to water because it absorbs only between 0.001% and 0.5% of its weight in water. This means water will never seep through it or cause any problems. Porcelain tile is one of the more costly waterproof flooring options, but also one of the most elegant.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
If you love the look of ceramic or porcelain tile but not the expense or delicacy, waterproof luxury vinyl tile is a great choice. The range of sizes, colors, textures, and patterns available in luxury vinyl tile accommodates any home style. Luxury vinyl tile is a high quality, abrasion resistant and durable waterproof option.
Whatever you decide on, from waterproof vinyl plank flooring, to porcelain tile, Dublin Carpet can help you pick it out and install it for you.
