Stylish and water-resistant don’t have to be mutual exclusives
As anyone who’s ever spilled their drink on carpet knows, not all flooring is created equal, and some are better suited to moisture than others. When considering the design (or re-design) of your bathroom or kitchen, you may be wondering which of the available options is the best flooring for wet areas. The good news? In today’s market, you have plenty of options. Below, find five waterproof flooring options to consider for your next wet-area remodel.
Whether you decide to seal grout or install a water-resistant vinyl, waterproofing your flooring is crucial, especially in rooms like bathrooms or the kitchen. A flooring pro can recommend the best materials for specific areas, install new flooring, and ensure it will stand up to water.
Sometimes marketed as luxury waterproof vinyl, vinyl flooring (whether it’s planks or tiles) offers homeowners the opportunity to bring a sleek, modern look to the wet areas of their homes. Vinyl flooring is a flexible, customizable choice that can help bring a pop of color to a room or create minimalist appeal. Plus, vinyl is among the more affordable waterproof flooring options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many design options available | Can swell in high temperatures |
| Durable and resistant to scratches and scuffs | Sanding and leveling of old floor may be required |
| Affordable starting price of $3 per square foot | Can’t be recycled |
Best for: Budget-conscious and stylish homeowners looking for a durable option with lots of design choices
A long-time classic for a reason, ceramic tile offers a waterproof surface perfect for high-moisture areas like bathrooms or kitchens. Maintenance couldn’t be easier: You can remove even stubborn dirt from ceramic tiles simply by wiping them with a cleaning solution or mopping them. However, tile can be uncomfortably cold and hard under bare feet, and its natural weight means it might not be suitable for floors on second and third levels. It’s also fairly effort-intensive to install, so most homeowners will want to hire a professional.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable and easy to maintain | Cold and hard underfoot |
| Many design options available | Time-consuming and challenging to install |
| Easy to repair | Expensive installation at $12 to $45 per square foot |
Best for: Homeowners who like a classic look and are willing to spend more upfront for a durable option
Porcelain tile is made of a more refined mixture of clay than ceramic, so porcelain clay requires higher firing temperatures in the kiln. The result? An even more durable, denser tile type that’s available at similar prices as some types of ceramic. While both types of tile are waterproof, porcelain may be marginally more waterproof than regular ceramic. Porcelain also experiences less natural expansion and contraction, so it’s less likely to crack due to temperature fluctuations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More durable and waterproof than ceramic tile | More vulnerable to crack after a drop |
| Available in a wide range of designs | Difficult and expensive to install at $9 to $50 per square foot |
| Less expansion and contraction | Natural weight means it may not work in upper levels of your home |
Best for: Luxurious bathroom interiors or outdoor shower areas that won’t be heated
With its sleek contemporary design and completely waterproof nature, polished concrete is a (literally) solid option to consider when choosing flooring for your bathroom or kitchen—or anywhere else in your home, for that matter. It’s also on the more affordable end of the spectrum for long-lasting, durable waterproof floors. However, you will need to hire a local flooring company for installation if you go with concrete.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable starting price of $2 per square foot | Fewer design and color options |
| Extremely durable | Cold and hard underfoot |
| Eco-friendly | Improper installation can lead to visual defects |
Best for: Eco-conscious homeowners wanting an affordable, contemporary look
Along with its natural ability to avoid moisture damage by making water bead up, rubber is also available in a variety of fun and interesting patterns. Keep in mind, though, that it’s a very different look than your classic vinyl plank or ceramic tile. Additionally, rubber flooring can cost quite a bit, particularly for the most waterproof pour-in-place versions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Naturally waterproof and, if recycled, eco-friendly | Non-traditional design choice that may not suit every homeowner’s taste |
| Extremely easy to clean | Harder to find than other options |
| Offers softer, warmer feel underfoot | Costly at $16 per square foot |
Best for: Home gyms or homeowners open to non-traditional design
Honestly, very few things in life are 100% anything—and that rule stands when it comes to waterproof flooring, too. Options like porcelain or ceramic tile are a lot closer to 100% waterproof than tiles and planks that have a fiberboard backing, like waterproof laminate or cork flooring. In all cases, it’s a good idea to wipe up wet spills as quickly as you can after they happen in order to avoid water damage.
While waterproof laminate flooring is available, vinyl flooring is more naturally water resistant than laminate. Both options are available at relatively low prices, have a similar range of design and color options to choose from, and are installed in similar ways. So, for a wet area of your home, vinyl is likely the better of these two alternatives.
These are two different questions. The most budget-friendly flooring option for a bathroom is waterproof luxury vinyl, but installing vinyl flooring is a fairly extensive DIY project best left to homeowners with a lot of confidence and experience. When you hire your local flooring company to do the hard work for you, you can focus on simply figuring out which type of floor will work best for your needs and stylistic preferences.
