Are Vinyl Floor Tiles Waterproof?

Vinyl flooring is one of the most used flooring types in recent times, for a number of reasons.

Durability are versatility are some of the reasons why vinyl has become widely accepted as a flooring type.

Together with these features, water resistance is another characteristic a lot of homeowners look for in floorings before making a choice.

Spaces that are likely to experience spills should have waterproof flooring, just so the spills can be cleaned up quickly, and damage to the floor prevented.

Not a lot of floorings are waterproof, but in this article, we will carefully examine if vinyl floor tiles are indeed waterproof or not.

Also, we will talk about some other waterproof/water-resistant flooring options outside vinyl floors.

Are They Waterproof?

To put the answer simple terms, vinyl floor tiles are waterproof.

However, when they are installed, water manages to get through to the subfloor through the seams.

Of all vinyl floor types, the vinyl floor tiles rate the lowest when it comes to water resistance.

With a continuous seeping of water into the seams where vinyl tiles are joined, they will weaken with time, and the base layer may gradually loosen.

Water will never get through the tiles themselves, but the seams stand the risk of moisture penetration.

All in all, vinyl tiles may not be the best option for spaces where spills are likely to occur.

For an absolutely waterproof vinyl flooring, you should consider vinyl sheet.

As a result of the seamless nature of vinyl sheets, moisture cannot seep through to the base layer.

Also, vinyl planks are not as open at the seams as vinyl tiles, because they feature a locking mechanism.

Nonetheless, vinyl tiles can still function well in kitchens and even laundry rooms where the risk of spills is minimal.

It is not advised that bathrooms feature vinyl tiles, because the risk of continuous water spill is high, and the damage to the base layer in such a scenario will be accelerated.

This is not to say it isn’t possible to use vinyl tiles in bathrooms and other places with a high chance of spills.

If you would like to install vinyl tiles in these rooms, you should seal the seams properly to prevent water from seeping through.

All you need to do is get a good seam sealer and apply it across all the seams.

You should know that vinyl tile seams require resealing from time to time, and once you notice that the seam sealer is no longer active, you should seal again as soon as you can. 

Some Other Waterproof /Water Resistant Flooring Types

Vinyl is highly rated for its water resistance, but it is not the only flooring that is waterproof.

There are a number of floorings that can offer you the waterproofing and water-resistance you need on your floors. 

If you are interested in other waterproof floorings asides vinyl, here are some of them.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Ceramic tile and porcelain tile floorings are a couple of the few waterproof flooring options that are absolutely waterproof.

The tiles typically come with a durable glaze that is responsible for the water impermeability.

They are commonly used in bathrooms and toilets, not only because they are waterproof, but because they are also very easy to clean.

Ceramic and porcelain tile floorings are, without a doubt, the best flooring for places that are liable to experience water spills.

Interestingly, they come in different colors and design patterns, for decorative effect.

Laminate Flooring

As a result of the close resemblance, laminate flooring is often mistaken for vinyl flooring.

Although laminate flooring has greatly improved compared to what it used to be in times past, it doesn’t come close to vinyl flooring when it comes to waterproofing.

Laminate flooring is more of a water-resistant flooring than a waterproof one, and when water is left on it for a long time, it will seep into the flooring and cause the fiberboard base to begin to warp.

In recent times, certain manufacturers have started to develop waterproof laminate flooring, but they aren’t always readily available on the market.

The water resistance is reasonable enough for most homes, as long as the liquid is cleaned as soon as any spill occurs.

Carpet Flooring

Carpet flooring has not always been a waterproof flooring option, but in recent times, waterproof carpet floorings have been developed and are readily available on the market.

Carpet flooring is one of the most comfortable flooring types as a result of the soft cushioning effect it has.

The new carpets being manufactured today are not only waterproof, but they are also designed to repel stains as well.

While carpet flooring is not the ideal flooring for high moisture areas in the home, they offer a reasonable level of water resistance, and they can be highly decorative as well.

Rubber Flooring

This is not a popular flooring type; nonetheless, it is rapidly gaining popularity for its waterproof capacity and excellent traction.

One of the significant advantages of this flooring type is that it can be easily removed and reinstalled.

It is particularly useful in basements that are susceptible to flooding, where you can always remove the water tiles when it floods, and easily put them back in place when the basement dries up.

They also come in different colors, shapes, and sizes; so you can achieve various designs with them.

Conclusion

Vinyl floor tiles are impermeable to water as they are, but the installation gives space for water and dirt to seep in through the seams.

With constant moisture seeping in, the base layer will experience continuous damage.

To stop moisture from seeping in through the seams, a seam sealer application is necessary.

Other vinyl flooring types like vinyl planks and sheets are less susceptible to moisture seep-in because they feature significantly less or no seams at all.

All in all, vinyl flooring is up there among the most impermeable flooring you can come across.

However, if you decide to opt for other waterproof/water resistant flooring types, there are quite a number of options available to you.