Is LVT Waterproof?

Key Takeaways: Luxury Vinyl Flooring Is It Waterproof?

• Please can you tell me if Luxury Vinyl Flooring is waterproof?
• Can I install LVT in my bathroom?
• Can I Install luxury vinyl tiles in my wet room?
• Is LVT slip resistant?
• Which adhesive is best for ensuring the tiles are waterproof?
• Is any particular brand of LVT more waterproof than the others
• Are all Installation types as waterproof as each other?

The general question of 'is LVT flooring waterproof?' requires an answer that is more nuanced than a straight forward yes or no. The answer needs to be referenced by the room in which you are planning to install your LVT and in particular the installation type of LVT that you are planning to purchase. Firstly, LVT flooring is not suitable for fitting as the floor in a wet room. The main reason for this, aside from the waterproof limitations of luxury vinyl tiles, is that the slip resistance of LVT is not sufficient for safe use in a wet room where ground water is in abundance. All the major brands will offer a similar level of waterproof properties in their LVTs. Obviously the better quality luxury vinyl tiles from leading manufacturers and the Flooring Hut own brand ranges will no doubt have a higher level of quality in construction.

Which LVT has the Best Waterproof Properties

Also referred to as “stone polymer composite flooring” or “solid polymer core,” SPC vinyl planks are dense, dimensionally stable, quiet, and strong. Designed to be 100 percent waterproof, not even topical humidity or moisture can cause planks to swell or damage your SPC rigid core vinyl flooring. Also, a fully glued down LVT is likely to prove more water resistant as their will be less ingress of water through the sealed joints of where one tile or plank joins the next.

However, we need to differentiate here between a wet room and a bathroom LVT flooring. Installing a good quality luxury vinyl floor into your bathroom is fine. This type of vinyl floor is waterproof and splash proof where there is a minimal amout of surface water. How is LVT waterproof? Thanks to its multiple layers including a durable wear layer and rigid core, luxury vinyl can withstand moisture, heavy foot traffic, scratches, and spills. Not only is its top wear layer waterproof, but the backing layer also protects the underside of your floors from moisture. When installed properly, luxury vinyl flooring provides exceptional waterproofing capabilities, leaving you worry-free the next time the children overflow the bath!

Which adhesives to use with LVT floor coverings?

When gluing down LVT planks, the choice of adhesive is dictated by the specifics of the application and area in which the product is being used. Different environments can put stress on LVT planks or tiles. This risks the expansion and retraction of the flooring. Only a perfectly suitable adhesive will lock and fix the LVT floor permanently. Q. I am installing an LVT floor in a kitchen or a bathroom: A. Wet or humid rooms subject their flooring to heavy stresses. Only an adhesive perfectly suited to this environment will allow a lasting bond. You will need a polyurethane or epoxy floor adhesive.

On the subject of LVT and vinyl flooring slip resistance, specifically we can read below a statement from Karndean which is on their website. It is also noted that Tapi market a range of non-slip vinyl tiles that will look great and give you that extra peace of mind around your home. However, this type of floor is still not suitable for a wet room environment. for this you will need a specific sheet vinyl floor that has much higher wet underfoot slip resistant properties. See below:

Wet Room Enviroment - Suitable Vinyl Floor

As an example, the Polylfor Polysafe Hydro floor is a safety vinyl flooring range combining the assurance of sustainable slip resistance with high durability for years of performance in continually wet, barefoot & shod areas. Available in 8 colours in either a traditional or multi-chip design, the range features safety aggregates in the vinyl and a raised pimple emboss for added grip and underfoot safety, to create a safe interior in commercial or residential areas. Highly suited to disabled adaptations. Please note: this is a sheet roll floor typically available on a 2m width roll (not available in tile or plank style).

Karndean LVT Waterproof and Slip Resistance Information

Karndean Designflooring LVT performs particularly well in the dry and most products have either an R9, R10 and R11 rating. An R9 rated floor is more than adequate for commercial applications where a safety floor is not required. Their highest slip rated floors, Opus Enhance, are rated R11 and receive a 36+ wet pendulum test rating.

(R) Rating Slip Resistance on LVTs - Brief Overview

What is a flooring slip rating? The rating system tells you how "anti slip" the surface of the flooring is! Using several methods such as the ramp test. What do the terms R10 or R13 and so on mean? When using the ramp test, this involves a person that stands on, and walks backwards and forwards on the material being tested with common slip hazard contaminants such as water or other workplace contaminants. The angle of the flooring is raised until the test subject slips, this may also be done with a barefoot subject and the introduction of soap and water to simulate wet shower areas. The higher the (R) rating number the less slippy the surface is. The rating systems allow us to make informed choices about the LVT vinyl flooring we should be using in specific environments. All of your LVT flooring will have been given a slip resistance rating so you can choose the right LVT flooring for your setting.

Below is a list of blog links that provide a more in-depth exploration of the aforementioned topics:

Waterproof Flooring for Bathroom: 6 Great Options to Consider

Are Luxury Vinyl Tiles Slippery?

Our leading LVT ranges include the following: Polyflor Camaro; Polyflor Camaro Loc; Karndean Knight Tile; Karndean Van Gogh; Amtico Spacia and Amtico Signature.