Liquids and humidity can be the bane of a flooring installation. They have the ability to infect porous materials, causing dimensional stains that are impossible to remove. They can also weaken the adhesive bond keeping pieces in place. Worst of all, liquids can get down under a floor surface and infect the subfloor, slowly rotting it away while also developing mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms which can negatively affect the indoor air quality of a space.
Luckily, there are a variety of waterproof, and water resistant flooring options which can be effectively installed in most wet and humid environments. These will vary in their porosity, and durability, precipitating different levels of maintenance, depending on the specific location where they are being employed.
1. Vinyl Floors
This material is produced from a variety of chemicals, and is manufactured to be durable, resilient, flexible, thin, stain resistant, and impervious to water damage. It can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, saunas, gyms, restaurants, and pools without having to worry about warping, discoloration, curling, or damage from humidity.
Maintenance requirements are generally low with vinyl flooring, and it has the added advantage of being able to be printed to match nearly any pattern, color, design, or faux natural look required. It can even be grouted for a realistic tile appearance, which also helps to seal the seams between individual pieces.
2. Glazed Ceramic Tiles
This flooring is made from clay and sediments which are mixed and then fired into very hard durable tiles. In its untreated state it is naturally porous and susceptible to water penetration, and liquid staining damage. However a glazed melted glass layer is often poured over the surface by the manufacturer, in order to make the product impervious to both water, and staining agents. This glaze can also be printed to take on a variety of patterns, colors, and faux natural looks.
With glazed ceramics the most vulnerable part of the installation is the grout between the tiles, which is permeable by water, and often prone to the growth of mold and mildew. This can be countered by the application of a quality sealing agent, which will clog its pores and create a protective layer over the material. This may have to be reapplied annually depending on the environment and level of usage.
3. Impervious Rubber Flooring
An all natural substance made from the sap of the para rubber tree, rubber flooring is another material that is completely impervious to penetration by water. It is also soft, cushioned, and safe, as well as being very durable against breakage, penetration, punctures, or flame. There are some oils and greases that can cause chemical reactions in its surface, but otherwise it is proof against almost all staining agents, and can last for decades depending on the location where it is installed.
4. Mosaic Glass Tiles
These small decorative tiles are fired at very high temperatures to produce materials which are extremely hard and resistant to cracking damage. They are also naturally impervious to water, and can provide a low maintenance option in wet, humid locations. Here again the grout can be vulnerable, and will need to be treated with a sealer to prevent water from getting into their pores and causing degradation or the growth of mold. It is also possible to remove the grout lines completely and replace them if the problem gets particularly bad.
5. Water Resistant Flooring materials
The following options are resistant enough to water to be used in moist and humid environments. However they are not impervious to liquid penetration, and may require some regular maintenance in order to protect their look and function.
6. Linoleum Flooring
This resilient flooring option is an all natural and ecologically friendly alternative to vinyl. While it does have a somewhat sour history when it comes to use in humid and wet environments, recent innovations in manufacturing technology, as well as an improvement on industry standards, has led to the production of materials which are much better at handling those conditions. However linoleum is not completely resistant to liquids, and flooding conditions or standing puddles can cause
7. Natural Stone Tiles
These tiles are naturally porous, which means that they are susceptible to water penetration and damage. However it is possible to use a combination of below surface chemicals to clog those pores, and above surface sealing agents to create an invisible layer over the stone, making it proof against most water conditions. Some materials will be more susceptible to liquids and humidity than others, with slate and granite being the most durable in wet locations.
Luckily, there are a variety of waterproof, and water resistant flooring options which can be effectively installed in most wet and humid environments. These will vary in their porosity, and durability, precipitating different levels of maintenance, depending on the specific location where they are being employed.
1. Vinyl Floors
This material is produced from a variety of chemicals, and is manufactured to be durable, resilient, flexible, thin, stain resistant, and impervious to water damage. It can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, saunas, gyms, restaurants, and pools without having to worry about warping, discoloration, curling, or damage from humidity.
Maintenance requirements are generally low with vinyl flooring, and it has the added advantage of being able to be printed to match nearly any pattern, color, design, or faux natural look required. It can even be grouted for a realistic tile appearance, which also helps to seal the seams between individual pieces.
2. Glazed Ceramic Tiles
This flooring is made from clay and sediments which are mixed and then fired into very hard durable tiles. In its untreated state it is naturally porous and susceptible to water penetration, and liquid staining damage. However a glazed melted glass layer is often poured over the surface by the manufacturer, in order to make the product impervious to both water, and staining agents. This glaze can also be printed to take on a variety of patterns, colors, and faux natural looks.
With glazed ceramics the most vulnerable part of the installation is the grout between the tiles, which is permeable by water, and often prone to the growth of mold and mildew. This can be countered by the application of a quality sealing agent, which will clog its pores and create a protective layer over the material. This may have to be reapplied annually depending on the environment and level of usage.
3. Impervious Rubber Flooring
An all natural substance made from the sap of the para rubber tree, rubber flooring is another material that is completely impervious to penetration by water. It is also soft, cushioned, and safe, as well as being very durable against breakage, penetration, punctures, or flame. There are some oils and greases that can cause chemical reactions in its surface, but otherwise it is proof against almost all staining agents, and can last for decades depending on the location where it is installed.
4. Mosaic Glass Tiles
These small decorative tiles are fired at very high temperatures to produce materials which are extremely hard and resistant to cracking damage. They are also naturally impervious to water, and can provide a low maintenance option in wet, humid locations. Here again the grout can be vulnerable, and will need to be treated with a sealer to prevent water from getting into their pores and causing degradation or the growth of mold. It is also possible to remove the grout lines completely and replace them if the problem gets particularly bad.
5. Water Resistant Flooring materials
The following options are resistant enough to water to be used in moist and humid environments. However they are not impervious to liquid penetration, and may require some regular maintenance in order to protect their look and function.
6. Linoleum Flooring
This resilient flooring option is an all natural and ecologically friendly alternative to vinyl. While it does have a somewhat sour history when it comes to use in humid and wet environments, recent innovations in manufacturing technology, as well as an improvement on industry standards, has led to the production of materials which are much better at handling those conditions. However linoleum is not completely resistant to liquids, and flooding conditions or standing puddles can cause
7. Natural Stone Tiles
These tiles are naturally porous, which means that they are susceptible to water penetration and damage. However it is possible to use a combination of below surface chemicals to clog those pores, and above surface sealing agents to create an invisible layer over the stone, making it proof against most water conditions. Some materials will be more susceptible to liquids and humidity than others, with slate and granite being the most durable in wet locations.
8. Brick Pavers
Similar to natural stone, brick is a porous option that can be treated with a sealing agent in order to clog its pores and protect the floor from water. If untreated, the material can be prone to discoloration and the growth of mold or mildew. However this is not often an issue in exterior locations, where the hue changes can add to the rustic effect of the surface.
9. Commercial Carpet
Most carpeting is terrible in wet environments, as it naturally soaks up moisture and can be a breeding ground for microorganisms to multiply. However there are a number of synthetic PVC and plastic based fibers which are being produced specifically to handle these conditions. These are generally commercial based options, though there are exterior rug products which can also handle very moist environments
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