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Alberta

Nufloors Camrose

#3 3810 48th Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 3Z8

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Nufloors Fort McMurray

8202 Fraser Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1W8

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Nufloors Grande Prairie

#101, 13501-100 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H4

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Nufloors La Crete

10201 99th Street, La Crête, AB T0H 2H0, Canada

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Nufloors Medicine Hat

502 D Maple Avenue SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3A8

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Nufloors Red Deer

7711 50th Avenue, Red Deer, AB, Canada

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Nufloors Sherwood Park

192 2181 Premier Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2V1

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Nufloors Slave Lake

204 4 Avenue Northeast, Slave Lake, AB, Canada

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British Columbia

Nufloors Castlegar

4370 Minto Road Castlegar, BC V1N 4B3

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Nufloors Comox Valley

2920-A Moray Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 7S7

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Nufloors Creston

1518 Northwest Blvd. Creston, BC V0B 1G6

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Nufloors Fernie

391 1 Avenue Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

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Nufloors Kamloops

834 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P3

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Nufloors Kelowna

1-2121 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1

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Nufloors Langley

304 20771 Langley By Pass Langley, BC V3A 5E8

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Nufloors Penticton

101 1397 Fairview Road Penticton, BC V2A 6A1

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Nufloors Quesnel

162 Front Street Quesnel, BC V2J 2K1

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Nufloors Salmon Arm

775 Lakeshore Drive S.W. Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1E4

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Nufloors Terrace

4730 Keith Avenue Terrace, BC V8G 4K1

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Nufloors Vernon

102 4708 34th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5Y9

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Nufloors West Kelowna

4-1726 Byland Road,West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 1A9

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Ontario

Nufloors Quinte

415 Maitland Drive #2 Belleville, ON K8N 0N4

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Nufloors Simcoe

41 Park Road Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9

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Saskatchewan

Nufloors Saskatoon

402 48 Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T9

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Waterproof and Water-Resistant Flooring

By , On , In Durable Flooring

Waterproof and water-resistant flooring, have become very popular in recent years. Today we’ll go over how they differ from one another and why it is important to understand the differences between the tow. Knowing the benefits of each type and what rooms they are best suited for will save you time and money in the long run.

How They Differ

Let’s define what these two terms mean. Both types of flooring are made of materials that repel water and prevent water damage. However, they are not created equal.

Waterproof: A permanent material that water will not penetrate.

Water-Resistant: A flooring material that protects flooring substrate from water infiltration.

Waterproof

Durability

Waterproof flooring will not deteriorate when exposed to water for an extended period of time. No need to worry about edges curling or the composition of the flooring breaking down. The colour will not fade either.

Waterproof flooring can also prevent moisture in the air. This can be important if you live somewhere humid environment or prone to flooding.

Versatility

It can be installed in any area of your home: Kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and basements.

While many types of luxury vinyl flooring and a few new engineered hardwoods are waterproof, don’t assume that all are. Look for ones that are labeled 100% waterproof. Also, keep in mind that while your flooring is waterproof your subfloor may not be, therefore you will want to keep water from getting underneath to prevent damaging the subfloor.

Cost

Waterproof flooring is typically more expensive. However, it carries many benefits that water-resistant flooring does not. The cost can definitely be worth it, and it can save you time and money in the long run. For instance, if water is absorbed into certain types of flooring, such as hardwood, the flooring will swell and eventually crack. Instead of ruining your flooring and having to replace it, it would be easier to just install waterproof flooring to begin with.

Water-Resistant

Kitchen with Shaw Repel Hopewell Water-Resistant Flooring.
Source: Shaw Floors

Absorption Rate

Water does absorb into or pass through water-resistant flooring nearly as quickly as it would with non-water resistant flooring. If you mop up spills fairly quickly, your floor will be able to handle the occasional small spill, since moisture will not have time to absorb into the floor and impact the material underneath. If you are considering installing a water-resistant flooring in the kitchen, be mindful of water collecting or pooling and causing potential damage.

The seams between planks, expose the floor and leaves it vulnerable to any water leaking through. With some products a roll-on moisture barrier can be applied to help protect the subfloor. If you are installing laminate, make sure it has a water-resistant core as well as a protective top layer.

Appearance

While you may love the look of hardwood, it is natural and will absorb water that sits on it. This makes hardwood a less viable option for some areas of your home. However, technological advancements have improved the quality and beauty of water-resistant flooring. It closely mimics the look of real hardwood, stone, and many other textures, shades and styles.

Cost

Water-resistant flooring such as laminate or vinyl tile is less expensive than a waterproof engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank. It is also an easier DIY option as it is easier to install.

Final Factors to Consider

  • Where will the flooring being installed? Is there a high chance of water ending up on the floor?
  • Waterproof flooring can be installed anywhere. Whereas you may want to avoid installing water-resistant flooring in areas where water frequently collects.
  • What is your overall budget for the project? If you try to save money by going with water-resistant flooring in an area where frequent spills occur, you risk water damage and could end up spending more by having to replace or repair the flooring in the near future.

Find Everything You Need at Nufloors

Visit any one of our locations and shop our wide selection of the latest in vinyl flooring, hardwood, carpet and more. Looking for advice on choosing the right flooring for your space? Speak with one of our Nufloors flooring or design experts.

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