The Best Waterproof Flooring Options

Learn About The Most Popular Waterproof Flooring Options

Uncontrolled swelling and unattractive warping are two of the most common damages caused by water on your floors. In severe cases, topical spills can cause an eruption of mold and mildew in your home or business when they penetrate seams. But you can prevent all this with water-resistant flooring.

However, to fully protect your floors, you need a water-resistant flooring solution that is perfect for your business. This post outlines all you need to know about waterproof flooring and the top four business or home flooring alternatives.

What Makes Floors Water-Resistant?

Water can often permeate inside floorboards and within the planks whenever it comes into contact with, stagnates on, or is exposed to wood or other non-water-resistant floors. This moisture may cause the planks to expand and distort. In the end, the moisture ruins the flooring permanently, with mildew developing once the floorboards get wet.

Whenever a floor is water-resistant, it implies that it has an additional barrier that stops moisture from penetrating the core for a predetermined period. Water resistance signifies that although initial exposure to water won’t cause harm, the water should be removed before it can pass the barrier.

Organic vs. Inorganic Materials in Waterproof Flooring

It is advisable to have flooring composed of synthetic polymers or other inorganic materials rather than organic ones. Organic materials, mostly generated from plants, are carbon-based and made from once-living things like solid hardwood, engineered wood, bamboo, and grass. They swiftly deteriorate when exposed to dampness, and several forms of bacteria and molds can rapidly establish within them. Inorganic materials, on the other hand, contain chemically processed synthetic fibers and can withstand the effects of moisture.

Nonetheless, not all flooring materials are entirely organic or inorganic. The proportion of organic to inorganic components may determine how well any flooring can withstand wetness. Although the thicker foundation layer of plastic laminate flooring is a fiberboard composed of wood fibers, the covering of the flooring is entirely synthetic and 100% inorganic. As a result, moist areas are typically not a good fit for laminate flooring. Compared to inorganic plastic laminate flooring, bamboo is purely organic, but since it comprises a lot of synthetic resins and sealants, it is still excellent at handling wetness.

However, carpeting is different. Most of it is synthetic and entirely inorganic, except for some uncommon wool and cotton carpet mixtures. It is a terrible choice for damp areas since it collects and retains moisture.

The 4 Best Waterproof Flooring Options

Below are the four main types of water-resistant flooring you could install within your business or home:

Tile Flooring

Because of their resistance to moisture and humidity, tile flooring is a common choice for flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, including porcelain and ceramic slabs. A porcelain tile must have a very low water absorption rate to be submerged in water for extended periods. Porcelain tiles have higher absorption rate requirements than ceramic ones, making them more durable and a good option for spaces prone to wetness.

Experts advise that you opt for unglazed tiles, regardless of the sort of tile flooring you select. It is also recommended to use unglazed tiles in restrooms and other high-traffic zones since they are more slip-resistant.

With so many tile styles and colors available, it is easy to find one that suits your taste. However, the grout that connects the tiles is not watertight, which is the sole drawback of selecting tile flooring. Therefore, maintaining your floors and checking the grout’s integrity is essential to prevent water from seeping through fractured grout lines.

Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring

Long plank strips of luxury vinyl flooring are often 7 inches wide and 48 inches long. Their installation applies a lock-and-fold joinery method that provides a tight seal against water.

This type of flooring is usually better for wet environments than plastic laminate since the whole layer of flooring—including the core—is completely waterproof. However, the joints between the planks might occasionally enable water to infiltrate the subfloor, particularly when installation mistakes occur. This risk of infiltration makes the popularity of luxury vinyl flooring trail behind sheet vinyl and ceramic tile.

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

Plasticky, patterned, and nostalgic for childhood, this flooring is present in almost all American bathrooms and kitchens! Although it is simple to get sheet vinyl flooring that resembles wood or stone, retro-patterned sheet vinyl has recently experienced a rebirth because it is a fantastic way to bring a colorful, edgy flair to just about any space.

Additionally, sheet vinyl is sometimes rather inexpensive compared to other highly durable flooring solutions. To sum it up, this is a perfect waterproof alternative when upgrading your floor on a tight budget.

Laminate Flooring

Moisture tests show that this synthetic solution outperforms actual wood flooring. However, the fiberboard core of laminate flooring expands and blisters when exposed to moisture. Whatever moisture enters a laminate floor through the joints might harm the placement, explaining why, at times, laminate flooring marketed as waterproof or water-resistant frequently includes a warning that spills and splashes should be cleaned up promptly after.

Find the Best Water-Resistant Flooring in the DC Metro Area

The finest business and home flooring renovations are pragmatic, and your property deserves one. At Precision Flooring our water-resistant flooring in the northern Virginia and the DC Metro areas is the ideal starting point. We engineer these solutions to handle all the stains and spills that occur regularly in your restaurant kitchen, restroom, laundry room, or entrance. Not only do we leave your floors looking lovely, but we also ensure that they are simple to clean, making them ideal for active families and pets. Call us today and let our professionals assist with your request or to learn more about our various flooring products.

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Image Credit Sharomka / CN2924 / Alex Verrone / Korostylev Dmitrii

 

 

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