


It also comes in a huge variety of designer colors and patterns, as well as luxury wood-look veneers.Īnother popular choice is Armstrong’s PRYZM rigid core flooring, a vinyl-like alternative that’s also 100 percent waterproof, scratch/stain/dent-resistant and comes in an amazing variety of colors, patterns and topcoat veneers. In addition, it’s specially treated to be stain-resistant, scuff- resistant and dent-resistant, so it stands up to high traffic. What are the best brands of waterproof or water-resistant vinyl flooring on the market? One is Mohawk SolidTech, which is 100 percent waterproof, making it the perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. In recent years, vinyl has been transformed into a super flooring product that can stand up to all kinds of duress - which is why vinyl flooring is now second only to carpet flooring in sales. Waterproof Vinyl FlooringVinyl flooring has come a long way since it was first introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. If you’re not sure whether a flooring brand is water-resistant/waterproof or not, chances are that it’s not - because if it is, it will be specially marketed and advertised as being so.Īs you keep reading, I’ll discuss some specific types of waterproof/water-resistant porcelain, laminate, hardwood, and carpet flooring that you might want to consider for your home. The best types of water-resistant flooring are the ones that actually advertise their water-resistant qualities. To remove them, nothing’s easier - all you have to do is a dab at them with a dry towel. This means that spilled liquids will remain sitting on the top layer of the carpet. Likewise, waterproof and water-resistant carpet is made from synthetic materials that repel rather than absorb moisture. If the flooring is water-resistant, however, the floor (or the base of the floor) might warp or rot if it isn’t dried in a timely manner - or if it’s exposed to large amounts of water on a regular basis. If the material is completely waterproof, then no damage is done, even if the floor stays wet. When you pour water on waterproof or water-resistant porcelain tile flooring or laminate flooring, the material will repel the moisture, so that it will bead into drops that you can quickly wipe away. Waterproof/water-resistant flooring is made from a material that repels, rather than absorbs, water and moisture. Conversely, a waterproof floor is made entirely of waterproof components, such as plastic, that can’t be damaged by water or other liquids.

In other words, a water-resistant floor might have some component - such as a fiber base - that can be damaged and warped by water or other liquids, especially if the floor is left wet. Theoretically, water-resistant means that the item in question - in this case, flooring - is able to resist water so that it’s not easily penetrated, while waterproof means that it’s completely, 100 percent impervious to water.
#WATER RESISTANT VS WATERPROOF VINYL FLOORING HOW TO#
How can you tell if these choices are really waterproof? Here’s how to find out exactly what “waterproof” means, and how to find the best type of flooring for your living spaces, as well as your lifestyle.īest Water-Resistant Flooring - Or Is It Waterproof?In today’s marketing, “water-resistant flooring” and “waterproof flooring” are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Bathroom flooring (which can comprise several of the above) Have you ever spilled something on your floor, let out a yell and wished that you’d purchased waterproof flooring instead? If so, then you’re in luck - because whether you’re looking for vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring, carpet flooring or a fantastic buy on discount flooring, today’s market offers a wide range of easy-care choices in attractive waterproof/water-resistant flooring.įor today’s homeowners, the top five waterproof/water-resistant flooring options are:
