01 Jun What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant flooring?

Is water-resistant flooring better than waterproof flooring?

What is the difference between waterproof flooring and water-resistant flooring and why is this difference important? Both of these types of flooring have the same purpose: to prevent or reduce water collected on the surface of floors.

Floors that easily absorb water are prone to damage over time. When water seeps into flooring, the structural integrity of the flooring is affected.

There are two types of flooring that can be used to maintain the lifespan and durability of your floors: waterproof flooring and water-resistant flooring.

Waterproof Flooring vs Water-Resistant Flooring

To help you see how each compares, here are some of the key similarities and differences between waterproof flooring and water-resistant flooring.

Waterproof

As the name suggests, waterproof floors provide full protection against water absorption. They are usually made of materials that create a seamless, airtight, and watertight bond that conforms to the substrate.

Floors sprayed with elastomer coatings are the best option. These floors are not only waterproof but also extremely durable, making them suitable for even the toughest industrial environments.

For residential and commercial spaces, they are perfect for areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, mudrooms, balconies, and any other space prone to moisture.

Water-resistant

Water-resistant floors have a surface coating that is non-absorbent, but only on a short-term basis. If water or liquids are spilled on this type of floor, they can be wiped and dried without damage.

If liquids are not wiped, flooring begins to degrade. Even without spills, water-resistant flooring will eventually begin to absorb moisture in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and other areas with a high risk of water or liquid spills.

In areas such as bedrooms, living areas, offices or other areas that are not prone to spills, these floors can provide an adequate level of moisture protection.

Which one do we recommend?

Ultimately, waterproofing is the best option if you are looking for floors that will not have any risk of leakage. You don’t need a floor or other major spill to risk water damage to flooring.

Small spills build up over time, weakening floors and causing damage to the entire internal space. As it is difficult to see water accumulation, this type of damage is only noticed when severe effects begin to show, such as rot, bumps in flooring, lifted laminate planks or other visible signs.

It is far more cost-effective to invest in floors that you know will withstand any amount of moisture and liquid.

For the last four decades, Rhino Linings has been the preferred supplier of premium spray-applied coatings for floors. Invest in waterproof flooring and you will always have peace of mind knowing that your floors are safe against potential moisture damage.