With so many different flooring materials to choose from that each boasts a range of benefits, it can be daunting trying to pick the best one for your requirements. Popular features that many homeowners prioritize when selecting flooring are appearance, cost, durability, sound reduction, and water-resistance.
Let’s focus on water-resistance, looking into the best flooring options, and which ones you should avoid!
Why choose water-resistant flooring?
Flooring with a good level of water-resistance can be a desirable feature for various practical reasons:
- Protection against warping, swelling, or mold growth – ideal for flooring in areas prone to spills, splashes, or excess moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements.
- Cleaning and maintenance are simplified – little-to-no concerns about water damage, and spills can be wiped up without worrying about stains
- Versatility – water-resistant flooring can be installed throughout the home, even in areas that aren’t necessarily prone to moisture, giving a harmonious appearance.
- Aesthetic flexibility – water-resistant flooring options come in various styles, colors, and patterns, offering an aesthetic to suit any home decor.
Water-resistant flooring: what to avoid
Despite there being plenty of water-resistant flooring options on the market, there are also some materials that should be avoided when water-resistance is a priority.
Carpet
It should come as no surprise that carpet is one of the worst flooring materials for water resistance. Liquids will seep down deep into carpet fibers and can be difficult to clean correctly at home, presenting risks of stains, odors, mold, and mildew.
Hardwood
Composed of natural wood, hardwood is very susceptible to moisture. Even when spills are quickly cleaned, the boards may still swell, crack, or warp, presenting trip risks and potential splinters. Hardwood planks are one of the most expensive flooring options, so small spills can result in costly replacements.
Engineered wood
Engineered wood flooring has an uppermost layer composed of natural wood. It offers slightly better water-resistance than hardwood, but is still very susceptible to moisture and can present similar problems when exposed to liquids.
The best flooring for water resistance
With the weakest contenders out of the way, let’s look at the best types of flooring for water resistance.
Tile
A common choice for kitchens and bathrooms, tile is designed to handle water well. Over time, moisture exposure can cause the grout to begin wearing away, but this is a very slow process. Tile flooring can last over 50 years with proper care, giving a comparable life expectancy to hardwood but with the benefit of water-resistance.
Vinyl
Vinyl is 100% synthetic, but has plenty of options that give the look and feel of natural wooden flooring. Vinyl flooring can withstand moisture exposure well, and small spills aren’t a concern as long as they’re cleaned up promptly. Prolonged exposure to liquids may damage the adhesive of the floors, but the flooring itself is unlikely to be affected, resulting in a much cheaper fix!
Laminate
Although not as impressive as tile or vinyl, laminate flooring offers a fair level of water-resistance. Prolonged exposure to liquids or moisture can cause the boards to swell, warp, or crack, but you have a lot more leeway when compared to hardwood and engineered wood. If spills are cleaned up quickly, laminate flooring is a good contender for water-resistant flooring.
What about waterproof flooring?
You may see certain flooring products marketing as being completely ‘waterproof’. It’s important to note that ‘waterproof’ and ‘water-resistant’ cannot be used interchangeably; water-resistant flooring can often not withstand heavy water exposure, such as flooding.
Fully waterproof flooring is few and far between, and most ‘waterproof’ products only claim to be resilient against clean, pure water, so water affected by extreme pH levels, or other liquids entirely, may result in staining or damage.
Whichever type of flooring you choose, always have it installed by a professional to ensure maximum safety and longevity of the floors.
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Powerhouse is a full-service home and commercial services company based in Texas, specializing in flooring.
