What Are the Best Waterproof Flooring Options for Young Families?

Every homeowner knows that water damage is one of the last things you want to happen in your home. Damage can start to occur on your flooring within 24 to 48 hours if you fail to take action right away. Your flooring can begin to warp, buckle, and accumulate mold. 

However, if you have kids and pets, you know water spillage is a fact of life. Cups of water get spilled and animals track mud and other substances throughout your home. Finding the best waterproof flooring option for your home is essential to protecting your investment. 

This blog will discuss some of the top flooring options for young families. This way you can select a durable flooring solution that'll withstand the daily wear and tear of your family. 

What to Look for in Child-Friendly Floors

There are a few factors you should keep in mind when exploring flooring options. These include:

• Safety

• Comfort

• Aesthetics

• Water resistance

• Scratch resistant 

• Maintenance
  

Waterproof flooring that's kid and pet-friendly doesn't have to be unattractive. There are numerous durable floors available that look as good as they function. 

Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl planks are easy to take care of and can withstand a lot of wear. Another benefit of this product is that it's non-toxic. It doesn't contain any harmful chemicals, making it a great choice for play areas and kids' bedrooms. 

A simple mop or wipe is the best way to clean up any spills that might happen on your flooring. You don't have to spend as much time worrying about caring for your floor with this low-maintenance vinyl.  

Luxury vinyl flooring is also 100% waterproof. There are two main types of flooring to consider - planks and tiles. 

Luxury vinyl planks are often designed to look like hardwood flooring. Luxury vinyl tile comes in various sizes and square-shaped pieces. 

One thing to remember is that even though luxury vinyl flooring is waterproof, it's not immune to floods. If large quantities of water are spilled on your floors and not cleaned up right away, water will begin to seep between the flooring pieces and get underneath them. You may need to replace your flooring if flooding isn't addressed right away. 

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is kid-friendly and improves your home's indoor air quality. One of the best things about it is it's a natural product. It doesn't contain hazardous chemicals like VOCs. 

Over the years, hardwood flooring has evolved to become more durable and water-resistant. Many hardwood flooring options contain a wear layer that's made of aluminum oxide and urethane. You can also choose to have a protective coating applied to your flooring that makes it more resistant to moisture. 

Keep in mind that you'll need to address any major water spillage right away. Most hardwood floors can withstand small amounts of water. Ways to prevent damage from occurring include:

• Wiping up spills right away 

• Investing in rugs and other moisture-absorbing mats 

• Reapplying the protective coating as needed 
  

Cork 

Cork flooring is unique, eco-friendly, and beautiful. It's considered a more sustainable flooring choice over other options. Thanks to the latest in flooring coloring techniques and manufacturing, homeowners can achieve chic aesthetics that match their home's decor. 

Cork is a naturally harvested material that has a long lifespan. While it's softer than hardwood, its natural elasticity makes it less prone to scratches and dents. This makes it a great option for homes with pets and kids. 

What we love about cork flooring is that it's water and fire-resistant. Cork can get submerged almost indefinitely in water without starting to rot. That's why cork is used for wine bottle stoppers. 

It's recommended to use glue-down cork tiles in areas of your home where there is a lot of water and moisture present, like the kitchen or bathroom. Floating cork floors shouldn't be installed in these rooms. That's because these floors have a center fiberboard that can swell if it gets wet. 

Tile

Tile is a versatile flooring solution that doesn't go out of style. It's easy to clean up liquid spills on tile. You just have to be mindful that wet areas can be quite slippery. 

Stone tile tends to be more porous than porcelain options. It can absorb more water and moisture over time. That's why it's recommended to install porcelain tile in areas that get wet, like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.  

Other benefits of installing tile in your home include: 

• Low-cost options available

• Easy to install 

• High return on investment

• Stain resistant

• Low maintenance
  

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a solid, affordable choice for incorporating into your family home design. Laminate flooring mimics the appearance of hardwood for far less money. 

This type of flooring includes a scratch-resistant layer, making it hold up well to toys getting dropped on it or pet nails. You'll want to look for laminate flooring that doesn't contain VOCs and is FloorScore certified. 

Many laminate flooring options are water-resistant. They can withstand water on their surface for a significant length of time without absorbing it. There are higher-quality water-resistant solutions available that can last longer than others. 

Carpet Tile

You may not consider carpet tile a waterproof and kid-friendly flooring option. What we like about carpet tiles is that they're washable. They're a great option for families with small kids because of the following factors:

• They're soft

• Easy to fall and crawl on

• Low maintenance

You can easily clean up spills that occur on carpet tiles. Sop up the liquid with a rag and then throw the carpet tiles in the washer. They can get put in the dryer to ensure they don't stay wet when you put them back down on the floor. 

Improve Your Home's Value With the Best Waterproof Flooring 

We hope this article has helped you find more information about the best waterproof flooring options available for your home. While no flooring is impervious to water damage, some solutions will keep your home looking great for many years. Partnering with an experienced flooring company will ensure exceptional customer service and installation. 

At Blue Ridge Floors, we believe that picking and installing family-friendly flooring should be easy and painless. Our goal is to execute projects for our customers right the first time and on time. Contact our office to book a consultation with one of our flooring experts.