Waterproof Flooring Bathrooms Laundries

📖 10 min read

Bathrooms and laundries are the trickiest rooms to floor. Water everywhere – splashes from the sink, drips from the shower, overflows from the washing machine, wet feet tracking across the floor. Whatever you put down needs to handle constant moisture without swelling, warping, or growing mould underneath.

For years, tiles were the only real option. They're still a solid choice, but they're not the only one anymore. Modern hybrid flooring and luxury vinyl are water-resistant – and they're changing how Australians think about wet area flooring.

I've helped hundreds of customers choose flooring for bathrooms and laundries over the past 15 years. Here's what actually works, what doesn't, and how to make the right call for your home.

Waterproof vs Water-Resistant: It Actually Matters

These terms get thrown around loosely, but in wet areas the difference is critical.

Water-resistant means the flooring can handle some moisture – a few splashes, quick spills that get wiped up. But prolonged exposure or water sitting on the surface will eventually cause damage. Most laminate flooring falls into this category, even the "water-resistant" varieties.

Waterproof means the core material itself cannot absorb water. You could leave a puddle sitting on it for days and the flooring wouldn't swell or warp. The material is fundamentally impervious to moisture.

Genuinely Water Resistant Flooring Options

Let's cut through the marketing and look at what actually works in wet areas:

1. Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles

The traditional choice, and still a good one. Tiles are completely waterproof, incredibly durable, and available in endless styles. They've been used in bathrooms for decades for good reason.

The downsides: Cold and hard underfoot (especially in winter), grout lines need sealing and maintenance, can be slippery when wet, and installation costs are higher than floating floors. If a tile cracks, replacing it is a proper job.

2. Hybrid Flooring (SPC)

Hybrid flooring with an SPC (stone plastic composite) core is 100% waterproof. The core is made from limestone and PVC – materials that physically cannot absorb water. It looks like timber, feels warmer than tiles, and clicks together for easy installation.

The downsides: It's a floating floor, so water can potentially get underneath through the edges if not properly sealed. More on this in the installation section.

3. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) / Sheet Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is also fully waterproof. Sheet vinyl has the advantage of minimal seams, while LVP planks look more like individual timber boards. Both handle moisture well.

The downsides: Thinner vinyl can dent, and the look isn't quite as realistic as good hybrid. Sheet vinyl is harder to repair if damaged.

4. Polished Concrete

Completely waterproof and very trendy in modern homes. Great thermal mass for temperature regulation.

The downsides: Hard underfoot, cold without underfloor heating, expensive to install, and you're committed – it's not something you easily change later.

Why Hybrid Flooring Works So Well in Bathrooms and Laundries

I'll be upfront – we sell hybrid flooring, so I'm not unbiased. But there are genuine reasons it's become so popular for wet areas in Australian homes.

100% Water Ressistant Core

The SPC core in hybrid flooring is made from around 60% limestone powder and 40% PVC. This composition means it literally cannot absorb water. Submerge a hybrid plank for a week and it won't swell a millimetre. The technical specifications we work with align with ATFA guidelines for waterproof flooring performance.

This is fundamentally different from laminate, which has an HDF (high-density fibreboard) core that swells when wet, or engineered timber, which can warp and cup with moisture exposure.

Warm and Comfortable Underfoot

Anyone who's stepped onto tiles on a Brisbane winter morning knows that cold shock. Hybrid flooring doesn't conduct cold the same way – it feels noticeably warmer, even without underfloor heating. The attached underlay (usually 1.5mm IXPE) adds a bit of cushioning too.

For laundries where you're standing to fold clothes, and bathrooms where you're barefoot, this comfort difference matters more than people expect.

No Grout Lines

Grout is the weak point of tiled wet areas. It's porous, so it absorbs moisture and stains. It needs sealing. It can crack. It goes mouldy in humid bathrooms. Keeping grout looking clean is an ongoing battle.

Hybrid flooring has no grout. The planks click together with tight seams, and the surface is non-porous. Cleaning is a quick mop – no scrubbing grout lines with a toothbrush.

Looks Like Real Timber

Modern hybrid flooring is printed with high-definition timber patterns and embossed to match the grain texture. In a bathroom, where you'd never be able to use real timber, hybrid gives you that warm timber aesthetic without the moisture risk.

It's not identical to real timber – nothing is – but it's close enough that most visitors won't know the difference.

DIY-Friendly Installation

Hybrid flooring clicks together and floats over the subfloor. A competent DIYer can install a bathroom floor in a weekend. Compare that to tiles, which require adhesive, cutting, grouting, and typically a professional tiler.

That said, wet area installation does require extra attention to waterproofing details. More on this below.

Hybrid Flooring vs Tiles: The Honest Comparison

Tiles aren't going anywhere, and for some situations they're still the better choice. Here's how they compare:

My honest take: For most bathroom and laundry renovations, hybrid flooring offers the better balance of performance, comfort, and value. It's significantly cheaper to install, warmer underfoot, and easier to maintain.

Where tiles still win: if you want a specific aesthetic (like patterned floor tiles, large format stone, or heritage looks), if you're building for 30+ year durability, or if you're doing a full waterproofing membrane under the floor anyway. Tiles glued directly over a proper membrane are about as bulletproof as it gets.

What NOT to Put in Bathrooms and Laundries

Some flooring types should never go in wet areas, regardless of what marketing claims say:

❌ Standard Laminate

Laminate flooring has an HDF (high-density fibreboard) core – essentially compressed wood fibres. When water gets in, it swells. It can't un-swell. One leak, one overflow, one puddle left too long, and you've got permanent damage.

Even "water-resistant" laminate only means the surface coating repels water temporarily. The core is still vulnerable. I've seen laminate in bathrooms swell at the edges within months. Don't do it.

❌ Engineered Timber

Engineered timber is real wood over a plywood base. Both real wood and plywood absorb moisture, swell, and warp. The high humidity in bathrooms alone (even without direct water contact) can cause cupping and movement over time.

Engineered timber is fine for bedrooms, living areas, even kitchens with care – but not bathrooms or laundries.

❌ Solid Hardwood

Same issues as engineered, but worse. Solid timber and water don't mix. Ever.

❌ Cork

Cork is naturally moisture-resistant and comfortable underfoot, but it's not waterproof. The cells can absorb moisture over time, leading to swelling and mould. Not suitable for wet areas despite sometimes being marketed that way.

❌ Carpet

This should be obvious, but I've seen it. Don't.

Installation: Getting It Right in Wet Areas

Hybrid and vinyl flooring are waterproof, but they're typically installed as floating floors – meaning they're not glued down. This creates a potential weakness: water can get underneath through the edges or through the seams between planks.

Here's how to address this:

Seal the Perimeter

Around the edges of the room – where the floor meets walls, vanities, toilets, and shower bases – use a flexible silicone sealant. This prevents water from seeping under the flooring at the edges. It's the same approach used with tiles.

This is especially important around the shower entry, where water regularly splashes, and around the toilet base.

Consider the Subfloor

In wet areas, your subfloor needs to be suitable for moisture exposure:

• Concrete slab: Ideal. Make sure it's level and any cracks are filled.
• Existing tiles: You can float hybrid directly over tiles if they're level and well-adhered. Clean thoroughly first.
• Plywood/particleboard: Risky in wet areas. If water gets underneath, it can damage the subfloor. Consider a moisture barrier or waterproofing membrane.

For bathrooms on timber-framed floors (common in older Queensland homes), I'd recommend consulting an installer about whether additional waterproofing is needed under the floating floor.

The Shower Area Question

Here's where I need to be direct: hybrid flooring goes up to the shower, not inside it.

The floor of your shower recess – inside the screen or curtain where water directly falls – needs a properly waterproofed and tiled base. This is a building code requirement under the National Construction Code. Floating floors aren't designed for constant standing water and direct shower spray.

Hybrid flooring is perfect for the bathroom floor outside the shower, where it handles splashes, drips, and humid conditions brilliantly.

Professional vs DIY

A bathroom is a smaller area, so DIY installation is definitely achievable. The main skills you need:

• Accurate measuring and cutting (including around toilets and vanity bases)
• Proper silicone sealing technique
• Understanding of expansion gaps

If you're not confident with silicone work or precision cutting around fixtures, it might be worth getting a professional. A poorly sealed bathroom floor can lead to water damage underneath that you won't notice until it's a serious problem.

For more detailed installation guidance, check out our hybrid flooring installation guide.

Maintaining Water Ressistant Flooring in Wet Areas

Good news: hybrid and vinyl are very low maintenance, even in bathrooms and laundries.

Daily/Weekly

Wipe up any standing water after showers or laundry days. The flooring can handle it, but there's no point leaving puddles sitting around. A quick once-over with a microfibre mop keeps things clean.

Regular Cleaning

Sweep or vacuum to remove hair and dust (bathrooms accumulate a lot of both). Mop with warm water and a pH-neutral floor cleaner. Nothing fancy needed.

Avoid: bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing pads. These won't damage the floor immediately, but they can dull the finish over time.

Ventilation

Run your bathroom exhaust fan during and after showers. Not just for the floor – for the whole room. High humidity contributes to mould growth on walls, ceilings, and silicone. Good ventilation benefits everything.

This is especially important in Brisbane's humid climate. If your bathroom doesn't have an exhaust fan, or has a weak one, consider upgrading it. Your flooring, paint, and ceiling will all last longer.

Check Silicone Seals

Once a year, inspect the silicone around the edges – particularly around the shower entry, toilet base, and vanity. If it's cracking, peeling, or going mouldy, scrape it out and reseal. This is normal maintenance, same as you'd do with tiles.

For detailed cleaning advice, see our hybrid flooring cleaning guide.

Which Wet Areas Can You Use Hybrid Flooring In?

A Note on Apartment Bathrooms

If you're renovating a bathroom in an apartment or unit, check your strata by-laws before changing flooring. Many buildings have acoustic requirements for flooring to prevent noise transfer to units below. You may need flooring with a specific IIC (Impact Isolation Class) rating.

Hybrid flooring with attached underlay often meets these requirements, but you might need to add acoustic underlay or choose products specifically rated for apartments. Check our underlay guide for more on acoustic ratings.

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The Bottom Line

Bathrooms and laundries need flooring that's genuinely waterproof – and now you have more options than just tiles. Hybrid flooring offers the waterproof performance you need with the warmth, comfort, and timber aesthetic that tiles can't match.

Just remember: waterproof flooring still needs proper installation. Seal those edges, ensure good ventilation, and keep the shower recess tiled. Get those details right and your bathroom floor will look great for years.

Got questions about whether hybrid is right for your bathroom or laundry? Give us a call on 0406 304 357 or send us a message. As ATFA members, we're always happy to help you work through your options.

Last updated: December 2025 · Written by the team at Hybrid Floors Australia

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