7 Best Flooring for a Laundry Room (Plus 3 Types to Avoid)
Laundry Room Flooring: Key Factors to Consider
Durability
Waterproofing
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.
Slip Resistance
Comfort Underfoot
Top 7 Flooring Options for Laundry Rooms
1. Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring 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:
|
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, sheet vinyl flooring looks less luxurious but maintains its central qualities of being easy to install, water-resistant, and cost-effective. Combined with a thermoplastic rubber wall base molding (a type of baseboard), sheet vinyl flooring is highly reliable and waterproof.Pros:
|
Cons:
|
4. Porcelain or Ceramic Tile
Ceramic/porcelain 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:
|
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 tiles or hardwood flooring. 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:
|
3 Flooring Types to Avoid in a Laundry Room
While there are many options to choose from when selecting the best floors for a laundry room, being aware of which materials should be ignored is critical. Sometimes people prioritize laundry room decor first rather than functionality, but when it comes to spaces with higher humidity and water spills, a water-resistant material is better than an attractive one.
Avoid these three laundry room flooring options:
1. Solid 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. Real wood 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.
2. 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.
3. Laminate without Water Resistance
When you install flooring, water repellency is essential. Some types of laminate may look good but have no protection against moisture and water, which is why, in the event of a flood, such laminate may be severely damaged and require complete replacement.
Additional Tips for Choosing Laundry Room Flooring
- Durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance are the main features when considering laundry room flooring ideas.
- Among the best choices for practicality and style are ceramic tile, porcelain, or luxury vinyl planks, and sheet vinyl flooring
- Cork, marble, mosaic tiles, carpet, solid hardwood, and bamboo flooring are recommended to avoid