Is Hardwood Flooring Waterproof? Understanding Its Moisture ...

The natural beauty and warmth of hardwood flooring make it a beloved choice for many homeowners. However, when considering flooring options for areas prone to moisture, a common question arises: "is hardwood flooring waterproof?"
 

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Exploring and understanding the relationship between hardwood and water is crucial for making an informed decision about where to install this classic material. At CSM Flooring, we appreciate the beauty of hardwood but also want to ensure you have the knowledge to choose the best flooring for every room in your home.
 

The Truth About Hardwood and Water: Is Hardwood Flooring Waterproof?

The straightforward answer to "is hardwood flooring waterproof?" is no. Natural wood, whether solid or engineered, is porous and susceptible to water damage. When exposed to moisture, hardwood can:
 

Swell and Warp: Water absorption causes the wood fibers to expand, leading to cupping, buckling, or warping of the planks.
 

Stain and Discolor: Water can leave behind unsightly stains and discoloration on the wood finish and even penetrate the wood itself.
 

Promote Mold and Mildew Growth: Trapped moisture can create an environment conducive to the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage the flooring and pose health risks.
 

Damage the Finish: Excessive moisture can dull or damage the protective finish on hardwood floors.
 

Weaken the Structure: Over time, water damage can weaken the structural integrity of the hardwood flooring.
 

Why Hardwood is Not Waterproof

The natural properties of wood make it vulnerable to water:

• Porous Material: Wood fibers naturally absorb moisture.
• Expansion and Contraction: Changes in humidity and moisture cause wood to expand and contract, which can lead to gapping or buckling.
• Organic Material: As an organic material, wood is susceptible to mold and mildew growth in damp conditions.

Understanding Water Resistance in Hardwood

While "is hardwood flooring waterproof?" is a clear no, some finishes and types of engineered hardwood offer a degree of water resistance. This means they can withstand minor spills and splashes if cleaned up promptly. However, this water resistance is not the same as being truly waterproof.
 

Surface Finishes: 

Durable polyurethane finishes can offer some protection against surface moisture, but they don't prevent water from seeping into the seams or through damage to the finish.
 

Engineered Hardwood with a Strong Wear Layer: 

The top veneer of engineered hardwood is still real wood and susceptible to water damage. While the layered construction offers more dimensional stability than solid hardwood, it's not waterproof.
 

Areas Where Hardwood Flooring Should Be Avoided

Due to its lack of waterproof properties, hardwood flooring (both solid and traditional engineered) should generally be avoided in areas with high moisture levels or a high risk of spills:

• Bathrooms: Constant humidity, splashes from sinks and showers, and potential leaks make hardwood a poor choice.
• Laundry Rooms: Washing machine leaks and spills are common.
• Basements: Often prone to dampness and potential flooding.
• Mudrooms and Entryways (in very wet climates): Tracking in rain and snow can damage hardwood over time.
• Kitchens (with caution): While some homeowners choose hardwood for kitchens, spills need to be cleaned up immediately and preventative measures taken.

Waterproof Flooring Alternatives That Mimic Hardwood

If you love the look of hardwood but need a waterproof solution for moisture-prone areas, several excellent alternatives are available:
 

Want more information on 100% waterproof hardwood flooring? Feel free to contact us.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Many high-quality LVP options offer realistic wood-look visuals and are 100% waterproof.
 

Waterproof Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP): Features a waterproof core for enhanced protection against moisture.
 

Porcelain Tile with Wood-Look Designs: Offers the durability and water resistance of tile with the aesthetic of hardwood.
 

Caring for Hardwood Floors to Minimize Water Damage

While not waterproof, you can take steps to minimize water damage to your hardwood floors:

• Clean Spills Immediately: Wipe up any spills promptly with a dry cloth.
• Use Door Mats and Rugs: Help prevent water and dirt from being tracked onto the floors.
• Maintain Proper Humidity Levels: Avoid extreme fluctuations in humidity.
• Use Protective Pads Under Furniture: Prevent scratches that can allow water to penetrate the finish.
• Regularly Inspect for Leaks: Address any plumbing leaks immediately.

Understanding Hardwood's Limitations at CSM Flooring

While the beauty of hardwood flooring in Wilmington & Greensboro is undeniable, it’s essential to understand that hardwood is susceptible to water damage and should generally be avoided in areas with high moisture. 
 

Fortunately, excellent waterproof alternatives that mimic the look of hardwood are available. At CSM Flooring in Greensboro, NC, Wilmington, NC, our knowledgeable team can help you explore all your flooring options and find the perfect waterproof or water-resistant solution for every room in your home, while also guiding you on the proper care for your beloved hardwood floors. Give us a call or stop by one of our flooring stores to explore these options for yourself. We have showroom locations in Greensboro, NC, Wilmington, NC. We service the areas of Greensboro, NC, Wilmington, NC. 
 

At CSM Flooring, we believe that every beautiful space starts with the perfect foundation. That’s why we’re passionate about helping you find the ideal flooring and tile to transform your home or business. Our mission is to be the go-to flooring destination in central and coastal North Carolina, offering not only a wide selection of high-quality products but also expert guidance and an exceptional customer experience.

Real wood wide-plank oak that's waterproof and 3X tougher

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10-day Home Rental Kit for GBS Waterproof Hardwood Click

Our GBS Hardwood Click Flooring is based on a new type of 100% hardwood that's harder than most wood floors, plus it's completely waterproof. Developed by Valinge in Europe, this sustainable hardwood offers all the benefits of an eco-friendly floor at a very affordable price. It's a DIY engineered floor that is completely safe and easy to install almost anywhere.

Empowered by the patented Woodura® surface technology, this new class of hardened wood flooring has 3 X the impact resistance of traditional hardwood due to the tough pro matt lacquer finish and the ultra-dense high-compression Compositek core. Together, these make for a dent and scratch-resistant surface that never needs sanding.

Even the best waterproof flooring has seams between the planks where water can seep through and damage your subfloor. GBS Waterproof Hardwood utilizes Valinge's new leakproof 5G® Dry™ floor locking system that ensures watertight joints. The 5G® Dry™ system takes the worry out of swelling edge joints due to wet mopping, pet accidents, spills, and overflowing sinks and appliances. As a result, the flooring can be installed below, at, or above grade in virtually any room. The 5G® Dry™ provides an easy DIY installation that allows you to click the floor panels together without glue or nails. Glue down installations are optional. Please see the installation instructions for complete details.

In addition, the GBS Waterproof Hardwood is made with 100% real wood from ethically and responsibly sourced FSC-certified forests in Croatia, and it is manufactured in Croatia. Available in Oak, the nature-inspired color palette features unique, clean-looking wide-plank designs in a smooth finish. There are 22.8 sf/box, 7 pieces/box and each piece is 78.74" long x 5.94" wide x 3/8" (.362") thick.

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Non-toxic and made with no added urea formaldehyde and zero VOC, the GBS Waterproof Hardwood flooring is third-party certified by Svanen (Nordic eco-label), GreenGuard Gold (Underwriters Laboratories), SundaHus (European Parliament), and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Together, these organizations provide trust that this product is safe, sustainable and socially, economically and environmentally responsible from cradle to cradle.

The GBS Waterproof Hardwood floor carries a lifetime warranty. It requires installation according to the manufacturer's instructions, normal room temperature and humidity, and everyday use. Please refer to the warranty for more details.

For more information, please visit Wholesale Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring.

• Free from defect in material and workmanship—will not swell, cup, or crack due to normal cleaning and use.
• Lifetime limited warranty for structural durability—multi-layers will not delaminate due to normal use.
• Lifetime limited warranty for waterproofness—will not suffer visual defects such as warping, discoloration, or change in finish due to topical spills left for 24 hours. Waterproof does not mean flood proof.
• Lifetime limited warranty for residential wear resistance—the wear layer or veneer layer will not wear through or peel off.
• Newly added bathroom warranty: we will honor the warranty coverage of our Waterproof Hardwood when installation takes place in residential bathrooms provided that the following requirements are met: • The bathroom does not have a hot tub, jacuzzi or any tub over the soaking size of 32” x 72” • The bathroom does not have a steam room or sauna. • The bathroom has a working exhaust fan or open window for air exchange • The method of installation should be a full spread glue down installation • The perimeter of the bathroom should have a silicone bead between the floor and wall.