The best waterproof laminate guarantees the flooring won't absorb water when it is cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time – usually about 24 hours depending on the laminate.
This guide to waterproof/water-resistant laminate flooring discusses the 7 best options and the technology they use to guard against water damage. Costs are included.
Here is the list of the best waterproof laminate flooring:
Waterproof laminate is flooring designed to keep moisture from soaking into the material, staining it or causing it to swell and buckle.
It isn't waterproof in the same way sheet vinyl or ceramic tile is, but it offers better water-resistance than standard laminate. Some manufacturers use the term "waterproof" while others only go as far as to say their product is water resistant.
How We Decided
To make the list, the flooring has to be backed by a warranty against water damage. The best, AquaGuard laminate, has a 30-hour waterproof warranty. This means that water can be left on the floor for up to 30 hours without causing damage.
Armstrong Audacity says minor water drips can stay on the floor for 72 hours without damage. Of course, they are likely to evaporate by then.
Most other laminates in the list are backed by a 24-hour moisture warranty, when one is stated.
We examined the technology used by each product to keep out moisture. Those technologies are explained in the guide, so you can consider them for yourself.
Secondary considerations included the overall quality of the flooring, style and color options and cost. Those details are briefly discussed for each of the products on the list.
OK, with that introduction, let's dig deeper into the top 7 waterproof laminate floors.
Best Waterproof Laminate Brands
Here's an overview of the essential information found below.
Brands
Type
Warranty
Residential/Commercial
Cost/sq. ft.
AquaGuard
Waterproof
Lifetime/15
$2.69 - $2.79
Armstrong Audacity
Waterproof
Lifetime/15
$2.85 - $3.20
Pergo WetProtect
Waterproof
Lifetime/10
$2.49 - $2.99
Mohawk RevWood Plus
Waterproof
Lifetime/5
$2.50 - $3.35
AquaFlor
Water-resistant
Lifetime/10
$1.99 - $2.19
Dream Home
Water-resistant
Lifetime/None
$1.79 - $2.69
Shaw Repel
Water-resistant
30/None
$3.10 - $3.75
1. AquaGuard
AquaGuard is the clear first choice for waterproof laminate.
The name tells the story of this flooring. It guards against moisture damage longer than any other leading laminate brand.
Did you know? AquaGuard is only sold online through the Floor and Décor site. We recommend ordering samples of your favorite options before placing a full order. This is a good idea whenever ordering flooring online.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
AquaGuard literature says its laminate flooring "provides lifetime protection against household spills, splashes and pet accidents for up to 30 hours. It can be wet mopped or even steam mopped, so you can install it in any room of the house, including full bathrooms, kitchens and basements."
This is the kind of promise that sets AquaGuard apart from the rest of the class.
Cleaning Options
Other brands state that they can be wet mopped. None of the others say that steam mopping is allowed. This is because the steam can be forced into laminate seams where the moisture is absorbed by the core, resulting in damage.
The Technology
AquaGuard's core is non-absorbent, and that sets it apart from other waterproof laminate flooring.
Most brands use sealer on all edges to keep out moisture. But if the sealer is worn damage, the core can absorb water.
No acclimation required – Most laminate must be brought inside for up to 4 days to allow it to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of your home before installation.
You’ll might also need underlayment and installation supplies. This is true for all the laminate flooring in this list.
See our Laminate Cost Guide for full details on the total cost of laminate flooring including installation.
2. Audacity by Armstrong
Armstrong Audacity Collection
Here's the clear second-best waterproof laminate.
Audacity is an Armstrong brand marketed as water-resistant flooring rather than waterproof, but it is built with technology similar to AquaGuard, our top choice for waterproof laminate. And the warranty and water-resistant guarantee are outstanding.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
The residential Water Block warranty states, "When properly installed, the floor will not be damaged by topical, localized spills resulting from normal household use, such as wet shoes, liquid spills, dripping while exiting a bathtub or shower, provided they are removed within 72 hours."
That's very impressive.
Audacity's nasty stuff Pet Warranty says: "We warrant that the floor will resist staining caused by pet (domestic cat or dog) stains, including urine, feces, and vomit.
It includes this warning, "However, accidents should be cleaned up immediately (within 24 hours)."
Water damage exclusions are typical: Flooding, leaking pipes and appliances, water beneath the floor and pressurized water from a hose or steam cleaner are not covered.
Cleaning Options
Wet mopping is OK. Steam cleaning isn't forbidden, but we wouldn't recommend it.
The Technology
Audacity achieves waterproof status with a rigid, non-absorbent core. That's technology borrowed from the construction of luxury vinyl tile (LVT). It's a hybrid flooring with a photographic layer like all laminate uses. This seems to be the direction the laminate industry is going – a core that isn't wood and won't absorb water. Dream Home by Lumber Liquidators, found below, is another rigid-core laminate (but its warranty isn't nearly as impressive as Audacity's and AquaGuard's.
So, here are the water-resistant features:
The non-absorbent rigid core
Multi-layer sealer applied to board edges
Click system that creates a very tight bond (5x better according to Audacity) to stop water penetration
Other Key Features
Underlayment pad is included
12mm thickness
Lifetime residential and 15-year commercial warranties
AC4 commercial wear rating
5 separate Audacity laminate collections, each with several gorgeous styles and colors
Audacity Laminate Flooring Cost
Audacity laminate by Armstrong costs $2.85 to $3.20 per square foot. It is available through independent flooring retailers, both local and online.
WetProtect isn’t a single line of flooring from Pergo. It is a technology that is applied to two Pergo laminate collections:
Pergo Portfolio with WetProtect
Pergo TimberCraft with WetProtect
There are about 40 styles with WetProtect, so you have more options than with other waterproof laminate floors.
Pergo calls them, "Waterproof laminate flooring offering lifetime protection against spills, splashes — even pet accidents."
Did you know? Portfolio and TimberCraft lines are sold at Lowes. Home Depot has a line called Outlast with SpillProtect. It is the same technology, just given a different name for a different retailer.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
The lifetime residential warranty says the flooring "will not stain", and "will resist damage from moisture due to wet mopping and everyday household spills".
There are conditions:
A moisture test must be done on concrete to determine moisture content. If the content exceeds levels given in the instructions for your specific flooring, then a polyethylene film vapor barrier must be installed over it before laying the floor.
The perimeter of the floor must be sealed with 100% silicone sealant. The sealant must also be applied to moldings where they meet the floor surface.
Wet mopping is allowed. Steam clean Pergo WetProtect at your own risk. The warranty expressly states that damage caused by a "steamer" is not covered in the warranty.
Pergo also says, "DO NOT pour liquid directly on floor or use an excessively wet mop that will puddle or leave moisture standing on the floor.
The Technology
There are three parts to the WetProtect / SpillProtect innovation.
1
Uniclic plank locking that prevents moisture penetration
2
Hydroseal sealant on all perimeter edges
3
GenuEdge that wraps the wear layer around the edges for maximum moisture protection
The full details of how this technology is guaranteed to prevent water damage are found in our comprehensive Pergo Laminate Buying Guide.
Other Key Features
AC-4 wear rating
Lifetime residential and 10-year light commercial warranties
SpillProtect laminate has attached underlayment; WetProtect laminate does not.
10mm and 12mm thick options
ScratchGuard Advanced wear layer offers superior resistance to scratches
Pergo Waterproof Laminate Flooring Cost
This Pergo laminate cost ranges from $2.49 to $2.99.
The RevWood Plus like from Mohawk is manufactured with the same waterproof technology as the Pergo WetProtect and SpillProtect laminate.
Did you know? Mohawk owns Pergo. That is the reason they use the same technology. In 2012, Pergo was in financial difficulty due to poor management, and Mohawk bought the brand.
Apart from using the same waterproof technology, the brands have similar but different styles and looks. There are nearly 30 options in RevWood Plus.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
The Mohawk warranty says, "The RevWood Plus™ flooring system (flooring with sealant) is backed with a Lifetime Waterproof Flooring System Warranty and an All Pet Warranty."
About the waterproof flooring system, Mohawk says, "The RevWood Plus flooring system will resist moisture damage under normal use."
The nasty stuff All Pet Warranty is much like Audacity's: "The RevWood Plus Flooring system will resist moisture, including vomit, urine, and feces, from all domestic pets."
Exclusions to the waterproof guarantee include flooding, plumbing leaks and a subfloor such as concrete with a high moisture content when no underlayment is used.
Follow the installation instructions closely, and you should not have any concerns about water damage to your Mohawk RevWood Plus laminate flooring.
Cleaning Options
RevWood Plus can be wet mopped. Steam cleaning is forbidden for standard RevWood, the non-waterproof laminate. However, while not strictly forbidden for the Plus flooring, we wouldn't recommend taking the risk.
The Technology
See the section above on Pergo waterproof laminate. It involves water-resistant top layer, sealed edges and uniquely tight locking system.
The residential warranty is prorated, which is true for many laminate flooring warranties
AC4 wear-resistance rating
28 style/color options in RevWood Plus
Planks for the various styles are either 10mm or 12mm thick
Mohawk RevWood Plus Laminate Flooring Cost
The Mohawk RevWood Plus cost is $2.50 to $3.35 per square foot. More details are included in our complete Mohawk Laminate Buying Guide.
5. Tarkett AquaFlor
Tarkett Aquaflor Aged Oak
AquaFlor is sold exclusively at Menards and is one of the most affordable waterproof laminate flooring.
There are a limited number of options for style and color. If you have a Menards nearby, it's worth stopping in to see if any of the styles fit your design plans.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
According to Tarkett, "Aquaflor is backed with a 24-hour moisture protection warranty - it will not be damaged by everyday spills provided they are removed within 24 hours."
Cleaning Options
The recommendation is to wipe up spills with a dry cloth and use a "lightly damp mop" when necessary.
The AquaFlor Care and Maintenance Guide warns, "Do not use excessive water when cleaning."
While no prohibition is given, you probably should avoid wet mopping and steam cleaning.
The Technology
Tarkett uses an angle-drop locking system to tightly join planks and prevent moisture from seeping into the seams.
Other Key Features
10mm thick planks
No attached pad
AC4 commercial wear rating
Slip resistant surface
Lifetime residential and 10-year commercial warranties
AquaFlor Laminate Flooring Cost
Tarkett AquaFlor laminate at Menards costs $1.99 to $2.19 per square foot.
Dream Home X2O Water-Resistant 14mm Nordic Fog Oak
This waterproof laminate flooring is distributed exclusively by Lumber Liquidators.
Jay Quickel, VP of merchandising for Lumber Liquidators claims it offers "twice the water resistance of standard laminates."
There are about 10 moisture-resistant styles available.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
Dream Home laminate is not warrantied against any type of moisture. That's why it's at the bottom of our list.
The warranty states under "What's Not Covered": Damages caused by moisture (such as leaking pipes, spills, wet mopping, pets, relative humidity, subfloor moisture etc.) are excluded.
Cleaning Options
Gentle spray and mop cleaning using a pH neutral product is recommended.
Wet mopping Dream Home laminate voids the warranty. Steam cleaning isn't mentioned in the warranty, but we do not recommend it. It is almost certain that Lumber Liquidators would deny a warranty claim about damage caused by steam cleaning.
The Technology
Lumber Liquidators builds Dream Home X20 laminate with a non-absorbent core, so the potential for swelling and water damage are greatly reduced.
Other Key Features
10mm, 12mm and 14mm thicknesses
14mm planks include attached pad
AC5 wear rating
Lifetime residential warranty; no commercial warranty
Dream Home Laminate Flooring Cost
The cost of Lumber Liquidators X20 laminate in 10mm, 12mm and 14mm thickness is $1.79 to $2.69.
The selection is one of the best with more than 50 options across the style and color range.
The Moisture Resistant Guarantee
The warranty is shorter than those for other waterproof laminate flooring. There is no commercial warranty.
Here are specific claims made in the warranty: "Shaw warrants that Repel…will resist damage from moisture due to normal cleaning practices [and] everyday household spills."
As with most water-resistant laminate warranties, exclusions including flooding, plumbing leaks, continuous water exposure and water coming from underneath the floor.
If you're installing Shaw Repel over a concrete subfloor, you should first install a moisture barrier.
Because wet mopping isn't recommended, Shaw Repel is further down our list than the products above. Steam use is forbidden. Wet mopping isn't specifically mentioned.
The Care and Maintenance Guide says, "For best results, utilize a dry-damp sponge mop or microfiber mop and a neutral pH cleaner…by spray-misting the mop with the cleaner."
The Technology
The Repel wear layer is waterproof, but the seams are not.
Instead, the flooring relies on a tight locking system to keep out moisture.
Other Key Features
30-year residential warranty
No commercial warranty.
Planks are 12mm thick
A polyethylene vapor barrier, minimum 6 mil, must be installed over concrete
Shaw Repel Laminate Flooring Cost
Repel is one of the more expensive brands in our list, but it doesn’t offer the same level of water protection as the top choices.
Shaw Repel laminate cost is $3.10-$3.75 per square foot.
The Bottom Line
It’s important to know what each brand means by saying its laminate is "waterproof" or "water-resistant". Understanding the warranties and Cleaning and Care guides is important too.
In short, research a floor carefully before deciding it is the right choice for your home. Our Guides on each laminate brand are a great source of the condensed research you might be looking for.
Looking for Qualified Installer for Laminate Flooring？
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This tool is powered by our partner Networx which has been specializing in collecting, vetting and rating laminate flooring contractors for more than 20 years.
Comparing the 3 bids can help you get the reasonable installation cost and avoid getting ripped.
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FAQs
Q: What’s the optimum moisture level for waterproof laminate on a wooden subfloor?
A: It will vary depending on the manufacturer, but Pergo recommends a moisture rating of at least 12% or lower.
Q: Is waterproof laminate flooring safe to use in my home?
A: This type of laminate is unique, but no more harmful than any other style of flooring as long as you do your homework. When indoor air quality is concerned, it’s essential to shop for laminate that’s been certified through programs like FloorScore.
Q: Is waterproof laminate harder to repair than standard laminate flooring?
A: No. Unfortunately, both styles are both challenging to repair unless you’re dealing with a light scrape or scratch.
Q: Will I need to use additional underlayment with waterproof laminate if it already has a backing layer attached?
A: Some manufacturers allow for an extra layer of padding, but you’ll need to read the installation instructions before settling on a style or brand. Adding more underlayment could void your warranty or cause planks to separate.
Q: Will waterproof laminate flooring expand and contract?
A: Yes, and that’s why it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, especially when it comes to expansion joints.
Q: Are steam mops okay to use on waterproof laminate flooring?
A: In our research, most manufacturers explicitly state to avoid using steam mops on laminate flooring of any kind. While there may be a few exceptions to the rule, it’s not recommended by any of the top brands.
Q: Will waterproof laminate provide more protection against pet accidents?
A: Yes, it can be a great benefit for homeowners with accident-prone pets, but that extra protection could come in the form of special coating. In other words, you’ll want to read the fine print and still need to clean up any messes immediately.
Q: Does waterproof laminate flooring contain formaldehyde?
A: Any flooring that contains natural wood will have a small amount of formaldehyde, including waterproof laminate. This is another area where certification comes in handy, as the industry has clamped down on regulations since 2008.
Q: Can I add another layer of coating to make water-resistant laminate fully waterproof?
A: There are a number of ways you can add some extra protection to your flooring, but there is no way to make “traditional” laminate that’s made from wood completely waterproof.
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