Waterproof Laminate Flooring
With all the spills, messes and chaos that happen in homes on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that waterproof flooring is the biggest trend in the flooring industry. Who wouldn’t want a floor that can survive spilled milk? And waterproof laminate flooring specifically does more than just withstand freak spills; this floor is also great for hiding scratch marks from those furry family members.
If you’re here looking for a floor that does part of the maintenance for you, hey, we won’t judge.
We’ll help guide you.
Because while waterproof laminate flooring comes with plenty of benefits, there’s also some confusion around what “waterproof” and “water resistant” really mean. Here’s what you need to know to find the best waterproof laminate flooring for your home or business.
What is Waterproof Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a low-cost alternative to standard wood or stone. A durable floor that comes in many attractive styles, laminate flooring is a popular flooring option for families and businesses. The realistic wood and stone looks along with the low maintenance cleaning routine make laminate a flooring favorite.
New waterproof features are proving to be a game-changer in laminate flooring. Traditional laminate flooring is known for not standing up well to moisture because it absorbs water and swells easily. But special construction technology has improved laminate’s core layer substantially, and some manufacturers are now producing laminate flooring with 100% water-resistant casing to make laminate an even more ideal floor choice for the home.
Waterproof vs. Water Resistant Laminate Flooring
Some laminate flooring products will say “waterproof” while others say “water resistant,” so what’s the difference? Here’s what you need to know.
Waterproof and water resistant are not the same thing when it comes to flooring.
Water resistance means that a certain element of the flooring is designed to withstand water better than normal. This typically means you can have some water on the surface for a while before it soaks through. If you can’t get to a spill right away, water-resistant laminate floors will buy you some time.
Waterproof means that the water will never be able to penetrate the flooring, no matter how much time has passed.
But waterproof and water resistant laminate still come with caution, because these floors are not constructed the same as other waterproof floors, like vinyl. Unlike vinyl, laminate flooring is water resistant from top to bottom, not bottom to top. This means that if you get water or a spill on your floor, waterproof or water-resistant floor systems will not allow liquids to seep through the interlocks, stopping the potential for mold or mildew to grow beneath your flooring. However, if you have moisture issues with your subfloor, you will still need a vapor barrier for waterproof laminate floors.
These definitions may also vary among manufacturers. To be certain of the water resistance level in a product, be sure to thoroughly read the descriptions of the laminate floors you’re considering.
It’s also possible to increase your laminate floor’s water resistance during installation. Some manufacturers include instructions to finish the laminate floor installation with silicone sealant around the perimeter and under the baseboard for more water resistance.
The moisture-resistant element is just one layer of this heavy-duty floor. Let’s deconstruct the rest to see what other benefits come with laminate flooring.
Layers of Waterproof Laminate Flooring
- Wear layer: This is the top layer that protects the floor from scratches, wear, staining, and provides the realistic look and feel of the floor. Imagine it as the protective shield to your floor, or the top slice of bread on a flooring sandwich.
- Image layer: This layer is just below the wear layer and holds the pattern or print. This is what gives you the beautiful wood or stone look that is sure to fool your friends. On your flooring sandwich, this can be where the mustard goes.
- Core layer: Just underneath the print layer, the core layer gives the floor its durability and stability. Typically made of compressed high-density fiber board (aka HDF), this layer is where the water resistant or waterproof qualities come into play. This is essentially the hearty “meat section” of the floor.
- Backing: This layer also helps provide stability for the floor and can help to keep water from penetrating the flooring from underneath. This would be your bottom piece of bread that wraps it all up.
Benefits of Waterproof Laminate Flooring
- Better with moisture than traditional laminate: These floors feature a moisture-resistant core so they hold up better to water than traditional laminate or hardwood floors. This means they can be installed in basements, bathrooms and any room throughout the home.
- Realistic wood and stone looks: Laminate floor planks often have some surface detail to further mimic a natural hardwood look and can have the look and feel of a hand scraped hardwood, embossed wood, distressed hardwood, or come in textured or smooth. A recent trend for laminate is the stone look laminate plank. As technology has improved, so have the print possibilities and the range of beautiful floors that are available.
- Easy to install, clean and maintain: Laminate flooring is designed to be installed as a floating floor, meaning that it is not secured to the ground underneath, but rather “floats” by the means of an interlocking design. This process is easy and typically done by our customers of all DIY levels.
- More scratch resistant than vinyl: Laminate flooring has a strong wear layer that protects the floor from scratches, wear and staining, all the things pets love to test out on our floors.
- Cost effective: Waterproof and water resistant laminate floors are an inexpensive alternative to hardwood floors. Lower price and lower maintenance? Yes, please!
Best Waterproof Laminate Floors
Want to see your new floor in your home? Order free samples of any of our water resistant and waterproof laminate flooring products today! Get familiar with the look and feel of your floor to ensure you’re making the best decision.