7 Best Flooring for a Laundry Room (Plus 3 Types to Avoid)
19 Jul, 2024
Flooring is one of the most crucial elements of a laundry room layout due to how much load it receives all the time. High foot traffic, moisture from washers and dryers, water spills – these and many more can damage your laundry room’s flooring, cause it to flat out, stain, or even bubble up. That is why it is crucial to choose a suitable material that will be both durable and resistant to water while remaining easy to clean and maintain. In this guide, we’ll explore the best flooring for a laundry room and some materials to avoid.
Choosing the Right Flooring Material for Laundry Room
You might ask yourself, “What is the best flooring for a laundry room?”. There are several factors to consider when choosing the most suitable material. Here, we have the most crucial ones to ensure your laundry floor meets the safety and comfort demands and serves for a long time.
Durability
Although they might seem less walked in than living rooms or kitchens, laundry rooms endure constant foot traffic, making durability a key factor in choosing the flooring material. We recommend opting for materials that can withstand heavy use, like porcelain, rubber, and concrete, without showing signs of wear and tear.
Water Resistance
The majority of modern washing machines have spill protection, but it is always a good idea to play it safe and pick a water-repellant material. The higher the water resistance of the flooring in your laundry room, the lower the chance of mold or mildew growth.
Maintenance
It is strongly recommended to pick a flooring material that doesn’t require extensive upkeep and is easy to clean. Not only does it save you time and effort in the long run, but it will also save lots of money on expensive detergents, professional cleaning, and service.
Top 7 Flooring Options for Laundry Rooms
1. Porcelain or Ceramic Tile
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are among the best laundry room flooring materials. Not only are they durable and exceptionally water-resistant, but they are also easy to clean. In addition, tiles come in various colors, styles, and shapes, making it easy to pick the ones that will fit your interior design.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
2. Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks) combines the looks of natural hardwood and the water-repellance of vinyl, making it one of the recommended floorings for laundry room. Anyone can easily install it, making it perfect for waterproofing laundry room floors. It withstands extensive amounts of moisture and requires only occasional cleaning.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
3. Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Unlike LVP, sheep vinyl flooring looks less luxurious but maintains its central qualities of being easy to install, water-resistant, and cost-effective. In addition to that, sheet vinyl usually comes with a smooth finish, which takes minimal time and effort to clean.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
4. Rubber Flooring
Rubber is one of the most versatile materials on the list while being exceptionally durable, water-repellant, shock-absorbant, and stain-resistant. Moreover, it is soft enough, creating a comfortable surface to stand on and offering superb humidity absorption.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
5. Concrete
Concrete is the most durable material on the list, able to withstand insane amounts of foot traffic. Moreover, it has been shown to be an easy-to-clean surface, which can be stained or polished to enhance and customize its appearance.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
6. Laminate Flooring
Laminate is an affordable yet effective alternative to more expensive hardwood and tiles. Like vinyl, it is easy to install and is resistant to water damage and moisture accumulation, making it a practical choice for laundry rooms. Furthermore, it comes in a wide variety of aesthetic choices, making it fit perfectly into any interior.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
7. Linoleum
Water-resistant, long-lasting, and environmentally beneficial, linoleum flooring is an excellent option for laundry rooms. It can be combined with any design scheme because it comes in various colors and patterns.
Pros:
| Cons:
|
Flooring Materials to Avoid
While there are many options to choose from when selecting the best floors for laundry room, being aware of which materials should be ignored is critical. The following three kinds of flooring materials might not work well in a laundry room environment:
Carpet
For several reasons, carpeting in the laundry room needs to be advised. First of all, stains and moisture—both of which are common in laundry rooms—tend to get trapped in carpets. Not only does this make cleaning difficult, but it also fosters the growth of mold and mildew. Furthermore, carpet fibers can easily retain dirt and grime, making cleaning tasks even more difficult.
Hardwood
Although solid hardwood is sometimes hailed as the best flooring option for various places in the house, its performance in laundry rooms is subpar. Solid hardwood is more likely to absorb moisture, which, over time, may cause it to swell and deteriorate. This reduces its endurance in a humid environment, leaving it vulnerable to mold growth. Moreover, the inherent fibers of wood may serve as a haven for mold and mildew, presenting possible health hazards.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is known for being environmentally friendly, but there might be better options for laundry facilities. Like solid hardwood, bamboo is susceptible to moisture damage and humidity absorption. The structural integrity of bamboo flooring may be compromised by warping or buckling due to moisture exposure. Furthermore, bamboo’s porous quality makes it prone to the development of mold and mildew, which could harm your health and necessitates careful upkeep to keep it from falling apart.
Conclusion
When selecting the flooring for your laundry room, durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance are the main features. Ceramic tile, porcelain or luxury vinyl planks, and sheet vinyl flooring are among the best laundry flooring choices for practicality and style. Replacing carpet, solid hardwood, and bamboo flooring with vinyl or linoleum flooring that is more resistant to moisture and foot traffic is recommended. Through your choice of flooring, you can create a functional and beautiful environment that will make your home come alive.