One of the greatest threats to hardwood floors is moisture and liquids. Liquid that penetrates through the wood grain will destroy the wood from the inside out. And nothing is worse than installing a beautiful floor in your home only to have it fall into ruins.
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Fading, stains, buckling, and warping can turn your property investment into an irreparable and expensive mess. Excessive moisture can also cause mold to grow and flourish in your home, creating a hazard to your health.
Waterproof hardwood keeps the water out, so your floors stay in place, which means you won’t be on high alert all the time about protecting your floors from spills.
Waterproof hardwood has a real hardwood veneer that’s permanently attached to core made of 100% waterproof lamina.
It provides the same benefits of authentic hardwood, such as unique beauty, warmth, and unsurpassed comfort and feel.
But compared to solid or other types of engineered hardwood, you get a waterproof, composite core beneath the wood.
Ultimately, the core design of each individual wood plank determines whether it’s waterproof or not. If the plank’s core isn’t waterproof, then there’s always the risk of an eventual water breach.
Unlike solid hardwood floors, which are protected only by a water-resistant coating applied to the surface, waterproof hardwood is engineered to stop moisture and water from the subfloor up.
The main difference between waterproof hardwood and solid hardwood (prefinished or unfinished) with a water-resistant coating is the time you gain to handle spills and leaks.
Waterproof hardwood can be exposed to liquids with virtually no time limit, so pooling water will remain on the surface without ever causing damage to your floor.
With solid hardwood, there’s no waterproof core – just solid wood. This means that liquid can penetrate deep into the grain, resulting in mold formation and ruin from within.
Because waterproof hardwood flooring has a waterproof core, it’s better at handling spills, wet feet, and standing water for extended periods of time. You can wait longer to wipe up spills without worry. Shop our selection of prefinished floors, unfinished floors, engineered flooring, and hardwood flooring options.
Waterproof hardwood has four main benefits:
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And this is true when it comes to selecting, installing, and maintaining hardwood floors in rooms prone to splashes and spills. Waterproof protection is wonderfully convenient because it gives you confidence in your floor’s longevity.
Waterproof hardwood flooring is ready for almost anything – from cracked eggs and big bowls of dropped cereal to a leaky washer or a mishap with the aquarium. This means you won’t ever find yourself stressing out about the numerous water issues common to home and property owners.
A properly installed, quality waterproof hardwood floor increases your property value with the uniqueness and natural beauty of hardwood. Natural hardwood is unsurpassed in look and feel, and you can’t fabricate it. Manufactured vinyl and laminate material designed to look and perform like wood isn’t the same as real wood, however close it appears.
Yes, you can get a similar look to hardwood with advanced embossed imaging, but eventually the image pattern repeats across your floor. And when it comes to performance, hardwood has no equal. Real hardwood has a one-of-a-kind aesthetic only nature provides.
Have you ever dreamt about having real hardwood floors in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, or even your basement? Then waterproof hardwood flooring is the perfect choice. You can install it above or below grade level and put it in any room you choose.
If you’re an active family with pets, waterproof hardwood flooring is one of your best options. Waterproof hardwood is designed to bring peace of mind, including surprises from pets.
All of the best waterproof hardwood brands include enhanced wear layer protection that guards the wood against wet paws, urine, scratches, dents, and more. This wear layer is also an ideal surface for active children who love to play.
Even though waterproof hardwood flooring offers many benefits, it also has limitations. You will want to be aware of them to make an informed decision. Knowing them up front will help you decide whether it’s the right type of flooring for your needs, preference, and lifestyle.
The core is 100% waterproof, but the veneer is solid hardwood, which is held tight to the core. Wood will always begin to degrade when it’s fully submerged in water. That’s just the nature of wood. Installing waterproof wood flooring greatly mitigates the risk of water damage and prevents it from the inside. But it won’t eliminate the possibility for surface damage during certain disaster situations.
If your dishwasher seriously malfunctions, a pipe bursts, or a hurricane hits your neighborhood and floods your home, waterproof flooring offers limited protection. You will have to contact your insurance company after any unfortunate events where damage occurs beyond the floor. The difference is that your floor itself may still be salvageable, depending on how much water you’re dealing with.
Another limitation is that the top wood layer thickness of waterproof hardwood (the veneer) is thinner than solid hardwood. The veneer thickness varies from product to product, and options range up to 1.8mm (70.8 mils).
A useful way to illustrate the thickness of a mil is to know that…
1.6 – 2mm is the base recommended thickness required for screening or sanding and refinishing. A floor with a 1.6 – 2mm wear layer can be refinished 1-2 times and last anywhere from 30-40 years. Waterproof hardwood is built to last, but isn’t designed to be refinished.
Prefinished waterproof wood has an extra-protective coating of finish that isn’t easy to sand off.
The best waterproof hardwoods are pet-proof, but if you have a mastiff or other large dog whose nails aren’t consistently trimmed, your floor will be tested.
And if you have two big dogs with untrimmed nails, who love running between rooms to chase their squirrel and chipmunk friends they see outside, then you may want to test the flooring’s scratch-resistance before you commit.
Although there’s nothing quite like hardwood in your home for increasing your property value, LVP flooring has come a long way since tacky, old stick vinyl.
High image embossing gives you a surface that closely resembles hardwood. Many people have trouble telling the difference. It can be a great, cost-effective choice, especially in basements and bathrooms.
Knots look and feel more like knots. Beveled edges also provide a more authentic appearance, leaving you with a surface that looks and feels much more like actual wood than options available in the past. The main benefit of vinyl is that it’s extremely tough and many products are waterproof.
However, when it comes to elegance, effect, and value, nothing beats hardwood.
Want more information on 100% waterproof hardwood flooring? Feel free to contact us.
Luxury vinyl is designed to be impervious to water, so they’re more resilient than waterproof hardwood. Read our response to the question: Why and how to choose waterproof flooring?
Waterproof hardwood flooring offers many benefits and has a few limitations. With this flooring option, you can bring comfort, warmth, and the natural look of hardwood to any room. You won’t worry about water issues when you have waterproof wood floors like you will with solid hardwood.
At the same time, waterproof hardwood has its limitations. A thinner layer of wood is necessary for a waterproof design, but this thinner layer reduces the number of times you can refinish your floors. But in most situations, and with proper care, you won’t ever have to.
With proper maintenance and care, the longevity of waterproof hardwood exceeds most people’s expectations. In the end, it all comes down to what works best for you, your family, and your space.
If you’re looking for the beauty of engineered hardwood with extra protection, you will be very happy with waterproof hardwood.
Still on the fence about whether our floors will fit for your home? Try our floor visualizer to see what our flooring could look like for you.
Wood flooring brings a sense of elegance and classic style to your entire home. According to recent data, the wood flooring industry is expected to see a revenue of approximately $70.24 billion by .
Before you shop for new residential flooring, it's important to understand which waterproof styles and materials are best.
Read on for an overview of waterproof wood floor options to help you determine what to choose.
Traditional hardwood floors are vulnerable to warping, buckling, and staining if they're not completely waterproof. True waterproof hardwood includes a hardwood veneer attached to a core constructed of 100% waterproof material.
This water-resistant flooring looks just like real hardwood, offering a warm, classic look and feel. The waterproof composite beneath the wood protects it from damage caused by moisture.
When you're looking at waterproof wood flooring, make sure that it includes this special waterproof core. If not, then your new floors will be susceptible to water-related damage. Solid hardwood floors have a water-resistant coating applied to the surface, but true waterproof wood flooring is specially made to keep moisture and water out completely.
Let's take a closer look at the difference between a waterproof wood floor and a non-waterproof wood floor. Engineered wood and solid hardwood only have a coating applied to the top layer to prevent stains.
True waterproof wood floors can handle exposure to liquids without needing to clean up spills immediately. Pooling water can sit on the surface without actually penetrating the material below.
Solid hardwood does not have a waterproof core. It's simply made of solid wood throughout, which means moisture can easily penetrate deep into the wood grain, resulting in permanent damage or even mold.
The waterproof core is what makes wood flooring truly waterproof in any scenario. You're able to wipe up spills without stress and even install this beautiful wood flooring in the kitchen and bathroom.
Installing wood floors is a big investment, so it's important to protect them for years to come. When you opt for a waterproof wood floor, you won't need to worry about the occasional spilled drink or scratches and dings when someone drops their bowl on the floor.
Not only is this flooring extremely durable, but it also creates the same look you'd get with real hardwood floors. This means you can enjoy the beauty of wood floors without having to sacrifice aesthetics. Installing these floors can also increase the resale value of your home since more buyers are looking for beautiful yet durable options.
Although other types of flooring like wood-look laminate and vinyl are popular, they'll never come close to real wood. And, waterproof wood floors are just as easy to clean, making them a low-maintenance option for your home.
Floors that aren't completely waterproof are much more prone to issues like mold and mildew. Install waterproof wood floors to give you peace of mind and enjoy a healthier environment.
While these floors are great for almost any space in your home including the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, they may not work everywhere. If you're installing new floors in a sunroom, for example, make sure you select something with an extra UV-resistant finish to prevent fading.
Wood species like teak contain natural oils and resins that can handle just about anything. Research different woods to help you determine which one is right for you.
A perk to choosing these floors is that they come in a plethora of stunning finishes and colors. Whether you're looking for something dark and deep or light and airy, there are tons of visually beautiful finishes to choose from.
It's important to note that a waterproof wood floor is never made of 100 percent solid wood. These floors are much closer to engineered hardwood since they do have a composite core underneath the wood veneer.
Once you've found and installed your brand-new waterproof wood floors, it's important to keep them in excellent shape. While you won't have to catch spills immediately like you do with solid hardwood floors, it's recommended that you blot any liquids from the floors as soon as possible.
As for regular cleaning, simply use a broom and dustpan to remove crumbs, dust, and other debris. When you're ready to mop the floors, use a cleaning solution that is specially made for this material so it doesn't damage the surface.
If you decide to vacuum the floors, never use the brush roll, which is typically used for carpeting and area rugs. Make sure the vacuum cleaner is set to the "hard floor" setting so it doesn't accidentally damage the flooring. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with an interchangeable soft brush roll.
As with everything, there are a few downsides to choosing this type of flooring material. First, true waterproof flooring is expensive and may cost significantly more than traditional solid hardwood and engineered wood.
Since this is a fairly new product, you may have a tough time finding the right finish to match your aesthetic. As new products continue to be developed, you'll get more options for your flooring remodel.
When you install solid hardwood floors, you can always sand them down and refinish them in the future. However, waterproof wood floors can't be sanded or refinished, so you're stuck with whatever you originally chose.
Overall, these floors are still an amazing choice if you love the look of wood but don't want to worry about water damage. They're versatile, beautiful, and easy to maintain which makes them a smart option for busy households.
Installing a waterproof wood floor is a smart way to get the beauty of wood without worry. Explore your options and remember to select floors that will suit your home's look as well as your lifestyle.
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