Welcome to a conversation that’s long overdue in the flooring world. “Waterproof flooring” has become a buzzword in our industry, often used more for its marketing appeal than its technical accuracy. It’s time to peel back the layers of this claim and understand what it truly means for you as you guide your customers and homeowners to select the best floor for their homes.
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At RW Supply+Design, we are committed to honesty and transparency. We know that home isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling, a space where life happens – including accidental spills and unexpected leaks. That’s why we’re committed to guiding you through the maze of “waterproof” claims so you can provide clarity to your clients. While some flooring options offer excellent resistance to splashes and spills, the reality of water intrusion, be it from below or catastrophic events like appliance leaks and flooding, tells a different story.
Let’s unpack the truth about what ‘waterproof’ means to find a specific product and a solution that truly fits your client’s life and needs.
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In the mid-s, flooring manufacturers realized that a pain point for many homeowners with traditional floor coverings like solid wood floors and carpet was the expensive damage an appliance leak or flood could cause. Water left on a wood floor’s surface for a long time can cause it to swell or buckle, and everyone knows that a wet carpet will lead to mold and mildew. With the invention of click-lock luxury vinyl plank floors, brands started advertising them as “waterproof” flooring that would look better than carpet and perform better than a traditional wood floor while costing far less.
This promise sounds excellent, but it’s essential to understand what brands and their warranties mean by the term “waterproof.” Many things could be considered waterproof in and of themselves, such as plastic, steel, stone, etc. Many brands promise that the material they use to manufacture their WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), SPC (Stone Plastic Composite), or Laminate plank floors won’t be affected by water. In other words, water won’t “get inside” the material due to its natural properties or special coatings applied to the outer surface.
Practically speaking, these floors are designed to be water-resistant. Suppose your dog splashes water around their water bowl while drinking, or a few ice cubes escape from the freezer and melt on your floor. In that case, you don’t have to be hyper-vigilant to dry them immediately. The flooring won’t be affected if these everyday spills and splashes go unnoticed.
In contrast, a traditional hardwood floor would require you not to let water sit on the floor for more than a few minutes without wiping and drying it up. Having consistent spills go unnoticed on a hardwood floor will likely lead to water stains or some swelling of the planks in that area.
So, in this sense, the manufacturer’s “waterproof” claims would more accurately be described as water-resistant to everyday spills that one might see in a kitchen or bathroom. But thinking of any floor as 100% waterproof – a favorite term of marketers – is not realistic when you understand how a water event can damage a floor.
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Water can affect a floor in three ways: spills or leaks on top of the floor, moisture coming from underneath the floor, or excessive water vapor (humidity) in the air around the floor.
In all of these scenarios, it is not necessarily a problem that water touches the surface of a so-called “waterproof” floor. The materials are often designed not to react or change dimension when exposed to moisture.
However, the reality is that if water gets underneath your flooring planks, it will have a tough time drying out. Moisture trapped between your floor and subfloor will inevitably lead to mold and mildew growth. The risk of mold and mildew is often ignored or forgotten when flooring is thought to be “waterproof.”
While water itself is usually not harmful to floors marketed as “waterproof,” the mold and mildew caused by bacteria in the water trapped underneath the flooring are what will end up being the biggest problem.
Mold and mildew can quickly grow unseen and end up causing damage not just to the flooring but to subfloors, walls, and cabinets. The only way to prevent mold and mildew is to tear out a flooded floor and ensure the subfloor is completely dry before installing new flooring.
While waterproof flooring planks could be dried out and reused, the reality is that the process of removing them damages the locking mechanism and prevents them from ever being installed correctly again.
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When you read the fine print, the discrepancy between what manufacturers market as “waterproof” and what they stand behind in their warranties is apparent.
While it’s true that flooring technology has advanced rapidly in the past decade, and products are made better today than ever before, there are many real-life water events that even the most highly marketed “waterproof” floors just are not designed to protect against.
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It won’t matter how well a floor handles water for most areas of the home, like living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. These areas are unlikely to get wet, and if they do, it is likely due to a catastrophic water event, which will mean replacing the entire floor.
For areas more prone to getting wet, like kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and basements, it is worth looking into more water-resistant options like Rigid Core LVP, Watersafe Laminate, or Watersafe Wood Composite flooring.
When considering these flooring options for areas that may get wet, look past the marketing claims and ask questions about how the floor is made to be watersafe or “waterproof.” You should be looking for the following three things:
Are you interested in learning more about 100% waterproof hardwood flooring? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Remember the importance of following the manufacturer’s installation instructions for these products. There are essential requirements for these floors to function as “watersafe,” including laying down an appropriate moisture barrier and considering water-tight moldings around the floor’s perimeter.
The marketing term “waterproof flooring” has been adopted by many brands, promising a hassle-free solution to spills and accidents inevitable in any home. However, as we’ve uncovered, “waterproof” is often a misnomer, more a marketing strategy than a definitive feature. Most flooring marketed as waterproof should be water-resistant, offering protection against everyday spills and splashes but not against more substantial floods or major appliance leaks.
Understanding the limitations and realities of water damage is crucial. Water can affect floors from above or below. While the surface materials may not warp or swell, the trapped moisture underneath can lead to mold and mildew, posing significant health risks and structural damage. It’s vital to recognize that no floor is impervious to water and that the term “waterproof” comes with conditions and limitations, often detailed in the fine print of warranties.
There are many flooring options available in the market. We hope this guide helps you sort out the marketing claims from the real-world performance you can expect from a “waterproof” floor. In the comments below, we invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on selecting a floor or dealing with water damage.
We offer a great collection of watersafe LVP, laminate, and wood composite floors that you can browse here. Please share this resource with anyone you know who is shopping for a new floor.
– What does “waterproof” really mean when it comes to flooring?
– Is there a difference between water-resistant and waterproof flooring?
– Can “waterproof” floors be damaged by water?
– What are some common materials marketed as waterproof?
– What should I look for in truly water-resistant flooring?
– How do I properly install water-resistant or waterproof flooring?
– What are the limitations of warranties on waterproof flooring?
– How can I prevent water damage on my floors?
– Are waterproof floors worth the investment?
– What should I do if my “waterproof” floor is damaged by water?
If water damage occurs, stop the source of moisture, dry the affected area, and consult a professional. Depending on the extent of the damage, parts of the flooring may need to be replaced. Always refer to your warranty and manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
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.
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.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Peel & Stick Vinyl Flooring.