What You Need to Know About Waterproofing Your Floor

If you are looking at upgrading the flooring in your home, it's beneficial to consider whether or not you should opt for a waterproof flooring option. While it may not be necessary for every room, such as the living room and the bedrooms, there are certain spaces within the home that would greatly benefit from waterproof floors. These include bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and basements.

In this blog post, we will highlight how to waterproof your home with recommended waterproof flooring options. These include vinyl, waterproof laminate, tile, water-resistant hardwood, and concrete.

We will also ask and answer common questions you may have about waterproof flooring. These include what are the benefits of waterproof flooring and how to find the best waterproof flooring material for your home. Let's get started.

What Is Waterproof Flooring?

Waterproof flooring refers to types of flooring that do not allow any moisture or water to penetrate it. With such types of flooring, even if there is a pool of water on the flooring, it will not be able to penetrate it, helping you to prevent water damage in your home.

This means that the floor's interior is not damaged by water, something which is highly desirable in "wet areas" of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens.

Effectively, waterproof flooring is well able to stand up to water. There is a good reason why you wouldn't (or at least shouldn't) install carpet in your bathroom (though it was once somewhat of a trend!). 

What Are the Benefits of Waterproof Flooring?

The primary benefit of waterproof flooring is that it repels water, preventing it from soaking through. A water-damaged floor can suffer from swelling, warping, and mold, which can be costly to repair (or even replace, depending on the extent of the damage).

A buildup of mold and mildew can be incredibly harmful to the health of both humans and pets. By opting for waterproof flooring, you can protect your and your family's health.

Waterproof flooring is also typically very durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. With materials such as vinyl, laminate, and tile, it's easy to sweep up debris or use a mop/steamer to keep the surface looking its absolute best.

While waterproof flooring may cost more upfront, the high degree of durability means that it is a sound long-term investment for your home.

What Are Common Types of Waterproof Flooring?

There are several different options you can choose from when it comes to waterproof flooring. Here are some of the most popular options.

Vinyl Flooring

When it comes to waterproof flooring options, vinyl is a highly attractive and common choice. Vinyl is well-able to withstand wear and tear while maintaining the appearance of real wood. It's a highly versatile option in terms of design, given that it comes in many different patterns, including a hardwood look.

Vinyl is highly versatile and can be used in every room of the home, including in the kitchen and bathroom. It's also an affordable option, comfortable under foot, and easy to maintain.

Waterproof Laminate Flooring

Waterproof laminate flooring is another strong choice while also typically being more affordable than vinyl flooring. Unlike traditional laminates, which are more prone to damage, waterproof laminate flooring is highly resistant to excessive moisture. This makes it a strong choice for many parts of the home, including the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and basement.

Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Tile offers a low water absorption rate, which makes it a popular choice for pretty much any room in the house. It can resist spills and moisture thanks to its rigid core and surface glaze.

Tile is a highly aesthetic choice and easy to clean and maintain. It's a popular choice both within residential and commercial spaces and is highly versatile and available in a wide range of designs, sizes, shapes, and colors.

Water-Resistant Hardwood Flooring

When it comes to waterproof vs water resistant flooring, there are a number of key differences. For example, water-resistant flooring works to hold up smaller spills that should be cleaned up quickly.

If you have your eye on hardwood flooring, then water-resistant hardwood is less likely to decay or warp. There are many other perks to choosing hardwood flooring. These include the aesthetic value and the overall increased property value.

Concrete

As long as the concrete is properly sealed, it is an excellent flooring option in the home. Given that concrete is naturally porous and prone to water absorption, it is important that it is treated with a waterproofing sealer.

Concrete flooring is highly durable and resistant to stains, scratches, odors, bacteria, and fire. It also helps with air quality and can reduce a home's overall energy bill. For homeowners on a budget, concrete is a strong choice. Waterproofing plywood is another good choice for homes.

How to Find the Best Waterproof Flooring Material?

This question is easy to answer! The best place to find quality waterproof flooring is National Floors Direct. We have more than 75 years of first-hand experience in flooring and have the insight and know-how to help you choose the most suitable flooring material for your home.

The bottom line is that waterproof floors offer lasting peace of mind for homeowners. Whichever flooring material you opt for, you can rest assured that your floors will be protected from leaks, spills, and moisture. Given their versatility, the above-mentioned waterproof floors are perfect for any room in the home.

If you would like to learn more, call our friendly team at 888-400-FLOOR or click here to schedule your free in-home estimate.