Not such a strange analogy, because many say waterproof flooring has superpowers. Although tile is waterproof, you do have another choice, and that’s vinyl.
Select Floors, a leader in the flooring industry, is going to go over some of the facts about this type of waterproof flooring:
Construction
Sometimes some types of flooring can be problematic when it comes to water. Hardwood floors, for instance, are no doubt beautiful, but excess water can warp them. They’re also adversely affected by climate, shrinking or expanding to accommodate temperatures.
Because of this, hardwood floors have limited versatility when it comes to installation. They can never be installed in below-grade areas, or in water-prone rooms such as the bath or laundry room.
While tile is waterproof, it is a hard fall, and that creates worry for parents, as well as those who have elderly residents. Tile also gets slippery when wet, and that lack of traction can cause harm to pets who slip, slide and then fall on the cold, hard surface.
Some other flooring, although highly water-resistant, can still be damaged by excess liquid.
When you’re talking about the vinyl version, know that it has four layers: At the bottom is the underlayment and, depending upon the manufacturer, it can be cork or foam. The next layer is the core and, again, that varies with each manufacturer, but it is the core that provides the waterproof construction.
On top of that is the image layer, a 3D photograph of a tile, stone or wood-look, all with vivid colors, patterns, designs and textures.
At the very top is the clear plastic wear layer, which is ultra-durable and scratch-resistant.
Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof?
No! They’re not the same. Water-resistant means that, although it’s much less affected by water than some other flooring, it can still be absorbed. Waterproof means that the material is impenetrable to water, so it just sits on the surface until wiped up.
Where to Install It?
Waterproof flooring can be installed in baths, laundry rooms, below grade areas or even in kitchens, where pipes and leaks tend to occur on a frequent basis, or in any room that might be prone to spills, especially if you have kids or pets.
Remember, you get the high style look of fashionable designs in tile, as well as stone or wood-looks, so it’s also a good option if you’re designing on a budget.
Come into the Select Floors showroom in Marietta, GA, so we can tell you about this terrific option.
