Water Resistant Laminate

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.

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.

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.