Waterproof Flooring Put to the Test

There is a lot of buzz in our industry about Waterproof Flooring.  Let’s face it, an uphill battle for our vocation has always been creating a floor that is both aesthetically appealing and full family functional.  Hardwood is beautiful with all its natural appeal but can easily scratch and dent in an active family home. Then came laminate flooring. First invented in 1977 and marketed to the U.S. in 1994 laminate seemed like the answer we needed.  Through a heat pressure process layers of wood pulp and composite were formed together topped with a high resolution photo and layers of scratch resistant urethane. It was affordable, durable and easy to install.  Scratch and moisture resistant, virtually maintenance free.

Fast forward to 2013.  As we gathered for a sales meeting we were shown a product that was now being marketed as waterproof.  “Wait just a minute”, we exclaimed skeptically.  Moisture resistant had not proven to be exactly pet proof.  Now there were claims of this pet friendly, family friendly flooring that had all the attributes of appearance of hardwood.

To gain the confidence we needed to sell the product we did our own scientific research. Well, kind of, we filled a 5 gallon tub with water and placed in it a sample of engineered hardwood, laminate and the newest invention vinyl luxury plank.  Within the first 24 hours the engineered wood was warped, peeling and checking as would be expected in this element. Within another short period of time the laminate core was plumped and distorted and the locking system was failing but the luxury vinyl plank still performed.

After 30 days we were tired of changing the water in the bucket and were believers that we could stand behind this product to perform in active family homes. Luxury Vinyl Plank or Waterproofing flooring isn’t bullet proof it still has its limits, and we still haven’t come up with a floor that cleans itself (but paired with a robotic vacuum it comes pretty close.)

What luxury vinyl flooring has done within our industry is challenge form and function in other segments of the market. Affordable, easy to maintain inventions in hybrid flooring solutions are now hitting the market at a record pace.  What this means for you as the consumer is more choices when taking into consideration the durability, function and fashion of your flooring.

Stop by our showroom and let us help you find the flooring that perfectly fits your lifestyle, if waterproof is your choice just look for our H2O symbol throughout the store. We’ve put it to the test so you can have Happy Spaces!

Columbia, MO, USA