Vinyl and laminate flooring can be a great choice for everyday messes. But if you are worried about standing water and floods — where water can get underneath vinyl floors — we recommend porcelain tile.
Get clear, expert advice before you choose the wrong floor for your home.
The right flooring choice depends on the kind of water exposure your home is actually dealing with.
This is the right direction for most busy homes dealing with normal messes from pets, kids, cooking, or daily life.
If you are concerned about bigger water events, you may need to move away from plank flooring entirely — consider porcelain tile.
If you've shopped for luxury vinyl or laminate flooring you've likely seen the word "waterproof" plastered everywhere. It certainly sounds great. No more worrying about spills, leaks, or even full-on floods.
In truth, only porcelain tile deserves that 100% waterproof label. That's because water can travel underneath luxury vinyl plank and laminate floors. The actual planks are NOT harmed — but the area underneath your plank floor may sprout black mold .
Yes, technically you could disassemble your floor, rinse everything, dry it all out, and reassemble it piece by piece. (Assuming you remember how to put that jigsaw puzzle back together.) But realistically? It is far easier to replace the entire floor.
That is why the goal is not just choosing a floor marketed as "waterproof." It is choosing the right floor that will stand up to the water risk in your space.
We see this mistake all the time: someone is told a floor is “waterproof,” assumes that means full protection, and only finds out later that the real problem was moisture getting underneath the floor.
Instead of guessing, you can compare the right options side by side and leave with a much clearer answer before you spend money in the wrong direction.
Most big box stores treat every customer exactly the same — often selling based on marketing fluff. At Island Carpet, every home is different and every job is custom. We evaluate your specific situation and only recommend the right product for the job.
When you visit, we recommend providing a few photos of the space. This will help us choose the right floor for your home. We also offer free measures and quotes before you commit.
