Water-resistant laminate flooring is your best option for bathrooms, which can work as long as you take the appropriate measures to avoid damage. Laminates with a medium-density fiberboard core are generally recommended since they contain water-resistant materials such as wax.
Most unfortunately, the answer is no, laminate floors are not waterproof (although certain brands falsely claim to be waterproof). However the vast majority of laminate floorboards are very water resistant, meaning they can last a significant time with water without absorbing moisture.
Laminate can withstand drippy towels and stand up to heavy traffic and dropped curling irons. It also resists even the toughest stains, from makeup to nail polish. Some manufacturers do not recommend putting laminate in the bathroom due to the worry of water damage.
If you are considering installing new floors in a kitchen or bathroom, which are susceptible to daily water spills, vinyl flooring is better as it is 100% waterproof.
Unlike vinyl, laminate's water resistance works from top to bottom rather than bottom to top. If you have moisture issues with your subfloor, you'll still need a vapor barrier.
Waterproof flooring stands up to water, resisting any damage from it, but it still may be susceptible to damage from pH extremes introduced to the water. On the other hand, flooring labeled as water-resistant handles common liquid spills but offers little protection from water and the duration of exposure is critical.
The most popular choice for bathrooms is tile. Specifically, ceramic and porcelain tiles are great options for bathrooms. Tile flooring is resilient, waterproof, available in a variety of colors and designs, and generally less expensive than other hard surface options.
If you're installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should install the laminate flooring first so it's under the sink and toilet. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room.
Vinyl flooring clearly is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent choice in bathrooms. But for whole-house installations, laminate flooring often makes sense because it offers a wide range of choices.
Waterproof laminate flooring with its thicker wear layer can last about 25 to 30 years before getting damaged. It'd be hard to find a flooring material with a larger upside than laminate. Other factors such as quality, maintenance and brand also play a long way in the flooring durability.
How Long Do Waterproof Laminate Floors Last? Quality waterproof laminate floors should last around 25 years, but a lot of factors can go into this (upkeep, brand, product, etc.). However, many high-end brands offer lifetime residential warranties. So: it's possible that these products could last much longer.
Yes – you can either use a traditional shower pan with a flange or a waterproof wet room system with laminated wall panels.
Consider wood-look luxury vinyl tile
You can use real wood in a bathroom. Engineered planks have the stability to weather the changes in temperature and humidity, but luxury vinyl can be a better and more practical idea for small bathrooms.
Yes. Unless your flooring planks have pre-attached underlay, you will need to buy separate laminate underlay for your project.
If you are looking for the easiest and best bathroom flooring to install, you should consider vinyl tile, water resistant laminate flooring and the rigid core engineered wood as they are of high quality and relatively easy to install.
Unless you are a quick draw on the mop; dog urine will damage laminate flooring, real wood flooring, engineered wood and tile grout. Unfortunately with a lot of flooring the pee will be absorbed into the floor itself or underneath and this is what can make the issue very difficult and expensive.
Floating laminate flooring can be installed in nearly any room, with a few exceptions. Because the inner core of the material is made with wood or fiberboard that is susceptible to moisture damage, installations in any room with a floor drain or sump pump should be avoided.
Water under your laminate flooring can cause severe damage if not dried quickly.
Light Colors for a Bright Mood
In this room, white finishes on the floor, walls, sconces, toilet, and shower make the small space seem bigger. A few gray and black tiles on the floor and wall add visual interest without overpowering.
The best flooring options for bathrooms are floors that can withstand moisture and humidity, aren't slippery when wet, are easy to clean, and comfortable underfoot. In terms of withstanding moisture and humidity, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), vinyl roll, and porcelain or ceramic tile are the best bathroom flooring options.
As matt surfaces have better traction than gloss, they're the obvious choice for flooring – and particularly in bathrooms and wet-rooms. We do not recommend using a gloss tile for flooring in a wet-room or bathroom.
To its credit, waterproof laminate has a harder surface layer than luxury vinyl, and it is more resistant to scratching. And traditionally, laminate flooring is more realistic at mimicking wood grains. However, luxury vinyl is getting better all the time, to the point that many people can no longer see the difference.
“Waterproof” and “water resistant” may sound almost the same, but the two terms define very different capabilities. Water can't penetrate waterproof flooring, period. From outer surface through the core of the material, waterproof flooring won't buckle, swell or warp in response to liquid or humidity.