Waterproof Laminate Flooring

Is Laminate Flooring Waterproof?

It depends on the laminate. Standard laminate is not waterproof: its high-density fibreboard core absorbs water and swells, so a spill left to soak in can ruin the floor. That is why ordinary laminate should stay out of bathrooms and be wiped dry quickly in a kitchen. Waterproof laminate is a different product, engineered so that water cannot reach the core. With a sealed surface and tightly locking joints, a waterproof board copes with the splashes, spills and steam of a kitchen or bathroom that would damage a standard floor. If a room sees water, a waterproof laminate is the one to choose.

Waterproof vs Water-Resistant

It is worth knowing the difference between the two terms, because they are not the same. Water-resistant laminate copes with everyday splashes and damp as long as you wipe spills up promptly; it is fine for a kitchen but not for a bathroom. Fully waterproof laminate is built to keep water out even when it sits on the surface, which is what a bathroom or wet room needs. If in doubt, check whether a range is described as water-resistant or fully waterproof and match it to how wet the room really gets.

How Waterproof Laminate Works

Waterproof laminate keeps water out in two ways. First, the surface and edges are treated so water beads and sits on top rather than soaking in, even in the grooves between boards. Second, the boards lock together with tight, sealed joints that leave nowhere for water to get through. In a bathroom, it is worth going a step further and sealing the expansion gap at the edges with silicone, so water cannot run underneath. Treated and laid this way, a waterproof laminate keeps water on the surface where it can simply be wiped away.

Where to Use Waterproof Laminate: Kitchens, Bathrooms and Utility Rooms

Waterproof laminate opens up the rooms standard laminate cannot go. In a kitchen, it gives you a warm wood or tile look that copes with spills, splashes and the odd overflow. In a utility room, it stands up to a washing machine, a sink and muddy boots. In a bathroom, a fully waterproof board lets you have a wood or stone look where you would once have needed tile, though for a busy family bathroom or a wet room, fully waterproof LVT is often the safer choice. It also makes a hard-wearing, worry-free floor for a hallway by the front door.

Waterproof Laminate in Every Look

Waterproof no longer means limited choice. You can have a waterproof floor in almost any style: realistic wood-effect plank boards and clean stone and tile effects, in colours from grey through to warm and dark oaks. A waterproof tile effect is especially popular for kitchens and bathrooms, giving the tiled look with none of the cold of real ceramic.

Laminate and Underfloor Heating

Most of our waterproof laminate works with both electric and wet underfloor heating, subject to a maximum surface temperature of around 27C and the manufacturer’s guidance. Let the boards acclimatise in the room first and follow the installation instructions supplied with your chosen range. A warm, waterproof floor is a lovely combination in a kitchen or bathroom used through the winter.

Waterproof Laminate vs LVT

Waterproof laminate and LVT are the two floors built for wet rooms, so it is worth seeing how they compare. Engineered wood is included for context, though it is not suitable where water is a concern.

Waterproof laminate is the more affordable way to get a wood or tile look in a kitchen or a lighter-use bathroom. For a busy family bathroom or a wet room, fully waterproof LVT is the safer, purpose-made choice. Engineered wood is best kept to dry rooms.

The Laminate Ranges We Stock

Quick-Step laminate is the core of our range and the brand most people picture when they think of laminate flooring. It is also the range to choose for a waterproof floor: several of its options are fully waterproof and made for kitchens and bathrooms. Our Evergreen and Lignum collections are not waterproof and are best suited to dry rooms. When you are choosing for a wet room, pick a Quick-Step range described as fully waterproof, not just water-resistant, before you order. Every range is available to buy online, so you can compare looks and specifications side by side.

How to Buy

Every waterproof laminate we sell can be bought online with free UK delivery across mainland Britain. We do not offer laminate samples, but you can preview any floor in your own room using our AI room visualiser on the product pages before you order. Choose a waterproof range, order the quantity you need for your room and we will deliver it to your door.

Key Takeaways

• Standard laminate is not waterproof, but purpose-built waterproof ranges are.
• Water-resistant handles splashes; only fully waterproof laminate suits a bathroom.
• Waterproof laminate lets you use a wood or tile look in kitchens, utility rooms and lighter-use bathrooms.
• For a busy family bathroom or wet room, fully waterproof LVT is often the safer choice.
• Buy online with free UK delivery and preview any floor with the AI room visualiser.

Explore Related Categories

• By room: kitchen, bathroom, utility room or hallway laminate.
• By look: stone and tile, herringbone or plank laminate.
• By colour: grey, dark or natural laminate.
• Also useful: click or 12mm laminate.
• Need a fully waterproof floor for a wet room? See our luxury vinyl flooring (LVT).
• Wider context: back to laminate flooring.