Waterproof Flooring
Waterproof flooring is the answer for every room where water meets the floor: kitchens, bathrooms, en-suites, utility rooms, hallways and homes with pets and young children. This page gathers every floor in our range built to cope with water, so you can compare them in one place and choose the right level of protection for each room.
The most water-resistant floors we sell are luxury vinyl: waterproof vinyl flooring and rigid core SPC flooring do not absorb water at all, and wet room flooring is made for showers when fitted over proper waterproofing. Water-resistant laminate has sealed joints for kitchens and hallways, and real wood fans can look at engineered wood with water-resistant finishes for kitchens, though never bathrooms.
See room by room: bathroom flooring, kitchen flooring and utility room flooring. Our luxury vinyl guide explains why vinyl copes so well with water.
Not sure which floor is right? Order free samples and see them in your own light, or call our team on 020 3287 6206 for honest, no-pressure advice.
Novara Concrete Grey Vinyl Tile Flooring 6.5 x 310mm
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Novara Concrete Grey Vinyl Tile Flooring 6.5 x 310mm
What “waterproof” really means for a floor
No floor can protect your home from a flood on its own. What matters is two things: whether the floor itself absorbs water, and whether water can get underneath it. Luxury vinyl does not absorb water at all, so the planks are unaffected by splashes or standing water. Water-resistant laminate and wood resist water for a limited time, enough to wipe up a spill. In every case, water can still reach the subfloor through the edges and joints, which is why edges in bathrooms are sealed and leaks are dealt with quickly.
Waterproof floors compared
Luxury vinyl (click SPC or glue-down): does not absorb water; warm, soft and quiet; suits every wet room in the house. Wet room vinyl: glue-down products made for open showers, with sealed joints, over tanking and a fall to the drain. Water-resistant laminate: treated core and sealed joints that resist standing water for the time the maker states; a very scratch-resistant surface for kitchens, hallways and utility rooms; not for wet bathrooms. Engineered wood: a protective finish and stable core cope with everyday kitchen spills if wiped up; never bathrooms or wet rooms.
Which waterproof floor for which room?
- Bathrooms and en-suites: luxury vinyl, edges sealed.
- Shower rooms and wet rooms: wet-room-rated vinyl only, over proper tanking.
- Kitchens: luxury vinyl or water-resistant laminate; engineered wood with care.
- Utility rooms: luxury vinyl first; water-resistant laminate with care near the washing machine.
- Hallways and boot rooms: vinyl or water-resistant laminate for wet shoes and dog walks.
- Basements: luxury vinyl on a suitable damp proof membrane.
- Homes with pets: vinyl copes best with water bowls and accidents; see pet-friendly flooring.
Getting the most from a waterproof floor
Seal the edges
In bathrooms and around sinks and appliances, seal the expansion gap at the walls and round fixed objects (bath, shower tray, toilet, pipes) with a flexible sealant, so water cannot run under the edge.
Stop moisture from below
On concrete, lay a damp proof membrane (separate or built into the underlay) so moisture rising from the slab cannot reach the floor.
Choose grip
Wet floors are slippery. Choose a textured surface, or anti-slip vinyl for shower rooms and family bathrooms.
Deal with leaks quickly
A waterproof floor buys you time, but a long leak from a washing machine or pipe can still soak the subfloor beneath any floor. Wipe up, find the cause and let the area dry.
Fitting a waterproof floor
The subfloor must be clean, dry and flat. Click vinyl and laminate float over a suitable underlay with an expansion gap; glue-down vinyl is bonded to a smooth subfloor. Our installation guides and measuring guide explain each step.
Looking after it
Wipe up standing water, clean with a damp mop and a pH-neutral cleaner, keep sealant in good repair, and use mats without a rubber backing on vinyl.
Common mistakes
- Assuming “waterproof” means the floor can be left wet: water can still get under the edges.
- Skipping the damp proof membrane on concrete.
- Using a click floor in an open shower area.
FAQs on Waterproof Flooring
Luxury vinyl, because the planks do not absorb water. For open showers, use vinyl made for wet rooms, fitted over proper waterproofing.
It is water-resistant: it copes with spills and standing water for the time the maker states, but it is not for wet rooms or floods.
Yes, through the edges and joints. Seal the edges in bathrooms and near sinks and appliances, and wipe up standing water.
Real wood is never fully waterproof. Engineered wood with a good finish copes with kitchen spills, but wood-effect vinyl is the choice for bathrooms.
Luxury vinyl. It copes with water bowls and accidents, resists scratches, and feels warmer and quieter than tiles.
On concrete, yes, unless the underlay includes one. It stops moisture rising from the slab, which the floor surface alone cannot.
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