Looking to upgrade your bathroom to a fully waterproofed room? Learn how much a wet room costs and what factors to consider to get an accurate estimate.
Waterproof Flooring Options: A Room-by-Room Buyer's Guide
Stylish and water-resistant don’t have to be mutual exclusives
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Highlights
The best waterproof flooring options for wet rooms are vinyl, waterproof laminate, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, polished concrete, and rubber.
Vinyl starts around $3 per square foot, while porcelain tile runs up to $50 per square foot.
Your best choice depends on the room, your budget, and how much moisture the floor will face.
Hiring a local flooring company helps you select the right waterproof material for your space and ensures proper installation that prevents moisture damage.
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Choosing the right floor for your wet room comes down to how well it handles moisture. The best waterproof flooring options give you a surface that stands up to spills, humidity, and daily wear in your bathroom, kitchen, or basement. Let's compare six waterproof flooring options by cost, durability, and room fit, so you can move from question to a confident choice.
Angi Tip
Whether you decide to seal grout or install a water-resistant vinyl, waterproofing your flooring is crucial, especially in rooms like bathrooms or the kitchen. A flooring pro can recommend the best materials for specific areas, install new flooring, and ensure it will stand up to water.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Flooring
These two terms get mixed up, and the difference helps you decide where each floor belongs. Waterproof flooring blocks water from passing through, even after standing spills or steady humidity. Water-resistant flooring slows water down but absorbs it over time.
Use waterproof surfaces in your full bathroom, laundry room, or basement. Save water-resistant floors for low-moisture spaces like a half bath or a powder room.
Best Waterproof Flooring Options at a Glance
Here is how you can compare the six options on cost, protection, room fit, and install difficulty.
| Option | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Waterproof Level | Best Room | DIY-Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Starts at $3 | Waterproof (rigid core) | Bathroom, kitchen | Moderate |
| Waterproof laminate | $3–$13 | Water-resistant to waterproof | Kitchen, half bath | High |
| Ceramic tile | $12–$45 | Waterproof | Bathroom, kitchen | Low |
| Porcelain tile | $9–$50 | Waterproof | Bathroom, outdoor | Low |
| Polished concrete | Starts at $2 | Fully waterproof | Basement, kitchen | Low |
| Rubber | Around $16 | Waterproof | Home gym | Moderate |
1. Vinyl
Dan Totilca / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
If you want flexibility, vinyl is one of the most versatile waterproof flooring options you can choose, and it now comes in several formats. Sheet vinyl covers your floor in one seamless piece. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) mimic wood and stone, while rigid core (SPC) versions add a hard, dent-resistant base.
Rigid core vinyl is fully waterproof, which makes it a strong pick for bathrooms and kitchens. Plus, vinyl is among the more affordable waterproof flooring options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many design options available | Swells under sustained high heat |
| Durable and resistant to scratches | Old floors need sanding and leveling first |
| Affordable starting price of $3 per square foot | Not recyclable |
Best for: Budget-minded homeowners who want durable, design-rich floors.
2. Waterproof Laminate
Waterproof laminate gives you the look of hardwood with the moisture protection your wet room needs. A sealed top layer and tight click-lock seams keep water from reaching the fiberboard core. It installs fast, which makes it one of the easiest flooring to install.
Waterproof laminate suits kitchens, laundry rooms, and half baths. For a full bath with standing water, tile or rigid core vinyl holds up better over the years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Realistic wood look | Fiberboard core swells if seams fail |
| Click-lock planks install fast | Water-resistant grades absorb standing water |
| Among the most affordable options | Hard to repair a single plank |
Best for: DIYers who want a wood look in low-moisture rooms.
3. Ceramic Tile
Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images
If you want a classic option, ceramic tile gives you a waterproof surface for your bathroom or kitchen. Cleaning is simple: wipe or mop with a standard cleaning solution. Its weight makes it a poor fit for second and third floors, and installation takes skill, so most homeowners hire a pro.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable and easy to maintain | Cold and hard underfoot |
| Many design options available | Time-consuming and challenging to install |
| Easy to repair | Costs $12 to $45 per square foot installed |
Best for: Homeowners who want a classic look and long-term durability.
4. Porcelain Tile
Jodie Johnson / Stock Photographysy / Adobe Stock Photography
Porcelain tile gives you a denser surface because it uses a refined clay fired at higher temperatures than ceramic. You get a more durable tile at prices close to some ceramic. Porcelain resists water better than ceramic and expands less, so it holds up when temperatures shift.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More durable and waterproof than ceramic | Cracks if a heavy object drops on it |
| Available in a wide range of designs | Costs $9 to $50 per square foot installed |
| Handles temperature changes well | Weight limits use on upper floor |
Best for: High-end bathrooms and unheated outdoor showers.
5. Polished Concrete
Elenathewise / Adobe Stock
If you want one floor for several spaces, polished concrete is fully waterproof and works in your bathroom, kitchen, or basement alike. It sits on the affordable end for long-lasting floors. You will need to hire a local flooring company for installation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable starting price of $2 per square foot | Fewer design and color options |
| Extremely durable | Cold and hard underfoot |
| Reuses your existing slab, so no new flooring material is manufactured | Poor installation leaves visible defects |
Best for: Homeowners who want an affordable, modern, low-maintenance floor.
6. Rubber
poplasen / istock / Getty Images
Rubber flooring makes water bead up instead of soaking in, and you can choose from bold patterns. It reads very differently from vinyl plank or tile. The most waterproof pour-in-place versions cost more than tile or sheet options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Naturally waterproof and available in recycled content | Non-traditional look that won't suit every space |
| Extremely easy to clean | Harder to source than other options |
| Soft, warm feel underfoot | Costs around $16 per square foot |
Best for: Home gyms and playrooms.
How to Compare Waterproof Flooring Options
Once you narrow your list, a few specs help you choose the product that fits your home. Use these criteria to compare products within any category.
Install type: Click-lock planks float over the subfloor for DIY jobs; glue-down needs adhesive and more prep.
Core type: SPC (stone plastic composite) is rigid and dent-resistant; WPC (wood plastic composite) feels softer underfoot.
Wear layer: A thicker wear layer, measured in mils, resists scratches; 20 mil suits busy homes better than 12 mil.
Pet and scratch resistance: Sealed tile, polished concrete, and rigid core vinyl handle claws and accidents best.
Maintenance: Tile and concrete wipe clean; laminate needs quick spill cleanup to protect its core.
Warranty: Longer waterproof warranties signal stronger moisture protection; read what voids the coverage.
Best Waterproof Flooring by Room and Need
Still deciding? Match your top priority to the pick below.
Best for bathrooms: Porcelain or ceramic tile handles standing water and humidity for the long term.
Best on a budget: Sheet vinyl and waterproof laminate deliver protection at the lowest cost.
Best for DIY: Click-lock waterproof laminate and rigid core vinyl install without special tools.
Best for a high-end look: Large-format porcelain tile and polished concrete read modern and upscale.
Best for home gyms: Rubber flooring cushions equipment and shrugs off sweat and spills.
Best for basements: Rigid core vinyl and polished concrete resist moisture rising from the slab.
For more layouts below grade, see our picks for flooring for basements and bathrooms.
When to Hire a Flooring Pro
Tile and concrete demand precise prep, cutting, and sealing, so professional installation protects your investment. A local flooring pro also matches the right waterproof material to each room and stops moisture from getting trapped under the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flooring services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.4★ avg. • 41 total reviews
- Sarah E.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
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This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Gina M.
Finished Basements Plus was wonderful from beginning to end! First, they came out quickly for an estimate. I had 4 estimates and theirs was by far the best. (2 of the estimates were more than $20K higher than for the exact same work). Beyond their fair pricing, the work was excellent. They...
Finished Basements Plus Inc. - Jeanann S.
Very professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's Services - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Grace G.
Excellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether House - David E.
Window Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Tom B.
AFS was excellent from start to finish. Jess, the sales associate, was fantastic...very knowledgeable and very professional. The installation crew was excellent. I couldn't be more pleased with the process. Best of all, my new floor looks fantastic!
America's Floor Source - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
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