December 18, 2025
Water-resistant laminate flooring gives you a timber look with a surface and core built to cope with everyday spills, as long as you wipe them up within the time the range is rated for. It is not waterproof. It suits living areas, bedrooms, hallways and kitchens, and it is not made for bathrooms, laundries or other wet areas.
Here is how to compare AC ratings, thickness and cores, and how our laminate flooring ranges compare.
Laminate is a layered floor. A dense fibreboard core gives the board its strength. A printed décor layer gives it the look of timber, and a clear wear layer on top protects that print from scuffs and scratches. The boards click together and float over an underlay.
Water is the weak point of any laminate. When moisture gets into the joints, the core edges can swell and lift. Water-resistant laminate usually slows that down with a denser core and tighter locking joints that keep surface water out for longer.
Some ranges state how long surface water can sit before it needs cleaning up: 48 hours for Royal Laminate 8mm and over 72 hours for Royal Procore Laminate. Treat that number as the time you have to find and wipe up a spill. It is a safety margin for everyday accidents.
No. Water-resistant laminate handles spilled drinks, wet paws, drips from the sink and a damp mop. It is not designed for standing water, flooding, leaks that run under the floor or rooms that get wet every day.
If you need a waterproof core, choose hybrid flooring instead. Ranges such as Royal Hybrid Pro 9mm and Royal 8.5mm Hybrid are built on a waterproof core. Our hybrid vs laminate flooring guide explains the differences side by side.
Real timber and water do not mix well, so many people searching for water-resistant wood flooring choose a timber-look laminate. If you would rather have a genuine timber surface, engineered timber with a water-resistant core is another option. Royal AquaCore Oak has a genuine 3mm oak surface on a water-resistant core and suits open-plan living, kitchens and dining areas. It is water resistant, so spills still need wiping up. See our full timber flooring range to compare.
Look for a stated number of hours. A longer rating gives you more time to notice a spill, which helps in kitchens and busy homes.
The AC (abrasion class) rating comes from the European EN 13329 standard and tells you how well the surface stands up to wear, scuffs and impacts. AC3 suits normal household rooms. AC4 handles busy family homes with kids and pets. AC5 is the highest rating in our laminate range and suits the heaviest foot traffic. All of our laminates are AC4 or AC5.
Our laminates range from 7mm to 12.3mm thick. Thicker boards feel more solid and can sound less hollow when you walk on them. Thinner boards keep the finished floor height down, which can help where doors, stairs and other floors meet.
The core and the locking system do most of the work against moisture. In a showroom, ask to see how the joint clicks together. A tight joint leaves less room for water to get in.
The laminates that look most like real timber get three things right. Longer boards mean fewer end joins across the room. A textured surface catches light the way real grain does. A matt or low-sheen finish reads as natural timber and hides everyday marks. View a few full boards together to see how the pattern repeats.
| Range | Thickness | AC rating | Water resistance | Board size | Colours | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Laminate 8mm | 8mm | AC4 | 48 hours | 1215 x 196mm | 8 | 25 year limited residential |
| Royal Procore Laminate | 12.3mm | AC4 | Over 72 hours | 2265 x 192mm | 12 | 25 year limited residential |
| RoyalStep Laminate 12mm | 12.3mm | AC5 | Water-resistant design | Ask us | 10 | 25 year limited residential |
| Clix Laminate | 7mm | AC4 (matt) | Ask us | 1261 x 192mm | 9 | 15 year residential |
Royal Laminate 8mm: 8mm boards with an AC4 surface and 48-hour water resistance, in eight colours. A practical all-rounder for living areas and bedrooms.
Royal Procore Laminate: our longest stated water rating, with over 72 hours of water resistance. The extra-long 2265mm boards are 12.3mm thick with an AC4 surface, in twelve colours. A strong pick for kitchens and open-plan living.
RoyalStep Laminate 12mm: our highest-rated laminate. It is AC5 rated and 12.3mm thick, with a 3D surface and a water-resistant design, in ten colours.
Clix Laminate: European-made 7mm oak-look laminate with a matt AC4 surface, in nine colours. Ask us about its water resistance before choosing it for a kitchen.
Not sure which one fits your home? Book a free measure and quote and we will help you match the range to each room.
Our professional installation team handles the subfloor check, underlay and fitting for you.
Living in a humid area? Our guide to the best flooring for Queensland homes covers how climate affects your choice.
No. Water-resistant laminate copes with everyday spills when you wipe them up within the time the range is rated for. It is not made for standing water, flooding or wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries. If you need a waterproof core, choose hybrid flooring.
Yes. Kitchens are a common place for water-resistant laminate, as long as spills are wiped up promptly and any leaks from sinks or dishwashers are fixed quickly. A range with a longer rating, such as Royal Procore Laminate with over 72 hours of water resistance, gives you more time to spot a spill.
It depends on the range. Royal Laminate 8mm is rated for 48 hours and Royal Procore Laminate for over 72 hours. Wipe up water as soon as you see it and treat the rating as a safety margin.
AC3 suits normal household rooms. AC4 suits busy family homes with kids and pets, and AC5 suits the heaviest foot traffic. All of our laminates are AC4 or AC5.
It is best not to. Steam pushes hot moisture into the joints, which can make the core edges swell. Use a well-wrung, damp mop and a cleaner made for laminate floors.
With over 20 years of experience, Royal Floors can help you pick the right laminate for each room. Visit our laminate displays in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, book a free measure and quote, or call us on 1300 980 501.
Four showrooms across Sydney & Brisbane
