Waterproof Flooring for Wet Areas: What Works and Where

The right waterproof flooring for wet areas depends on the room. In a laundry, or a bathroom outside the shower area, a hybrid floor with a waterproof core can work where the range’s installation guide allows it. It is laid over the room’s existing waterproofing, never instead of it. In commercial wet areas, especially where people walk barefoot, slip-resistant safety vinyl sheet with a stated slip rating is the usual choice. Whichever you pick, correct installation and sealing matter as much as the floor itself.

Waterproof or water resistant: what is the difference?

• Waterproof core: the core of the board is waterproof, so spills and mopping on the surface will not swell it. In our range, that means the hybrids listed below.
• Handles water well: our glue-down and loose lay vinyl copes well with spills and damp mopping. We do not call it waterproof.
• Water resistant: the floor tolerates surface water for a stated time, such as 48 hours for Royal Laminate 8mm. Wipe spills up well within that time.

None of these words mean a waterproof room. A waterproof core does not stop water from a flood, leak or overflowing bath getting under the floor through edges and joins. In a bathroom, the room’s waterproofing under the tiles and around the shower is a separate part of the build. A floor covering is laid over it and never replaces it, and floating floors are not laid in showers or on floors that fall to a floor waste.

Waterproof flooring materials compared

Hybrid flooring with a waterproof core

For laundries and kitchens, start with a waterproof-core hybrid floor. For a bathroom, check the range’s installation guide first: floating floors are not laid in showers or on floors that fall to a floor waste.

• Royal Hybrid Pro 9mm: a 0.7mm wear layer and low-sheen 3D surface on a waterproof core, in 1680 x 228mm boards. Thirteen colours, 25 year warranty.
• Royal 6.5mm Premium: a 0.5mm wear layer on a waterproof core, rated 6 star acoustic. Twelve colours, 25 year limited residential warranty.
• Royal 8.5mm Hybrid: a rigid, waterproof core with an embossed timber-grain surface and click-lock floating installation. Twelve colours.

Vinyl: glue-down and loose lay

Vinyl flooring handles water and spills well. Royal 3mm Vinyl Plank is a glue-down plank only 3mm thick, so it suits renovations where floor height matters. Karndean Opus is 2.5mm thick with a lifetime residential warranty. Karndean LooseLay Originals are loose lay planks, 4.5mm thick, also with a lifetime residential warranty.

Water-resistant laminate and AquaCore timber

If you want a timber look in a kitchen or living area, laminate flooring is water resistant for a stated time. Royal Laminate 8mm has 48-hour water resistance, Royal Procore Laminate has over 72 hours, and RoyalStep Laminate 12mm has a water-resistant design. Our water-resistant laminate guide explains more.

For real timber, Royal AquaCore Oak has a genuine 3mm Oak surface on a water-resistant core and is suited to open-plan living, kitchens and dining areas. Neither laminate nor timber is waterproof, so for laundries choose hybrid or vinyl. See our guide to the best flooring for kitchens.

Commercial flooring for wet areas

Our safety vinyl sheet ranges carry stated slip ratings. P ratings come from a wet pendulum test and R ratings from an oil-wet ramp test in shoes; higher numbers mean more slip resistance. Wet barefoot areas have their own barefoot ramp classes, so ask for those too. Your designer, the National Construction Code where it applies, and the guidelines for your industry set the rating a space needs.

• Accolade Foothold: Australian-made homogeneous vinyl sheet for wet barefoot areas, rated P4 / R11, in 20 colours.
• Natralis Foothold: Australian-made, rated P4 / R11, for ensuites, bathrooms and shower rooms in healthcare, aged care and education. Twelve colours.
• Safeguard R10: rated P3 / R10 for commercial kitchens, wet areas, retail, education and healthcare.
• Safeguard R11: rated P4 / R11 for commercial kitchens, education, healthcare and aged care.
• Safeguard R12: rated P5 / R12 for commercial kitchens and areas with constant water or spills.

Read our safety vinyl flooring guide for more on slip ratings.

Installing hybrid and vinyl flooring in wet areas

Installation is what keeps water on top of the floor. Here is what to expect:

• Measure and subfloor check. We check the subfloor at your free measure. It needs to be flat, clean, dry and sound.
• Preparation. Any levelling or repairs happen first, and the flooring is acclimatised if the manufacturer asks for it.
• Laying. Hybrid clicks together as a floating floor, glue-down vinyl is bonded to the subfloor, and loose lay is held mainly by its weight and grip, with a tackifier where the manufacturer’s guide calls for one.
• Sealing. In bathrooms and laundries, edges, joins and penetrations such as toilet pans are sealed as the manufacturer’s guidelines set out.

Our professional installation is covered by a 2 year installation warranty, and product warranties come from the manufacturer. Book a free measure and quote and we will confirm the right method for your room.

How to care for waterproof flooring

• Sweep or vacuum with a hard-floor head to remove grit.
• Damp mop with a well-wrung mop and a pH-neutral or manufacturer-recommended cleaner. Avoid soaking the floor, and skip steam mops unless the manufacturer allows them.
• Wipe up spills and puddles promptly, even on a waterproof core, so water does not reach edges and joins.
• Check silicone seals around baths, showers and toilets, and reseal if they crack.
• Use felt pads under furniture and mats at entrances.
• On safety vinyl, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guide, as built-up grime can reduce slip resistance.

If a leak or flood does get under the floor, stop the water first, then call us so the floor can be checked.

Frequently asked questions

Is vinyl flooring waterproof?

Our vinyl ranges handle water and spills well, but we do not describe them as waterproof. For a waterproof core, look at hybrid ranges such as Royal Hybrid Pro 9mm. Either way, water can still get underneath through edges and joins, so installation and sealing matter.

Can you put hybrid flooring in a bathroom?

Only outside the shower area, and only where the range’s installation guide allows it. Hybrid is laid over the room’s waterproofing, never instead of it, and it is not laid inside the shower area or on a floor that falls to a floor waste. A waterproof core does not stop water from a flood or leak getting under the floor.

Is laminate OK in a laundry?

Our laminate is water resistant, not waterproof. Royal Laminate 8mm has 48-hour water resistance and Royal Procore Laminate over 72 hours. It suits kitchens and living areas where spills are wiped up. For laundries, a waterproof-core hybrid or vinyl is the safer choice.

What flooring is used for commercial wet areas?

Slip-resistant safety vinyl sheet. Accolade Foothold is made for wet barefoot areas and Natralis Foothold suits ensuites, bathrooms and shower rooms, both rated P4 / R11. Safeguard comes in R10, R11 and R12 versions for commercial kitchens and areas with water or spills.

Get the right floor for your wet areas

With over 20 years of experience, Royal Floors can help you match the floor to the room. See hybrid, vinyl and safety vinyl samples at our showrooms in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan. Book your free measure and quote or call 1300 980 501.