Finding the best flooring for your laundry room means considering all the activity the room will encounter. That is a room for high foot traffic, and it will encounter heat, water, and chemicals. Choosing the right flooring means picking a surface that’s easy to clean and durable. Cost per square foot might not be as important as it is in other rooms because laundry rooms are usually smaller spaces.
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What To Look for in Laundry Room Flooring
Durability, maintenance, and moisture resistance are among the factors to consider when selecting flooring for your laundry room.
Moisture Resistance
Laundry rooms are likely to encounter spills, leaks, and high humidity. Your flooring should withstand these conditions without warping, bubbling, or deteriorating.
Durability
Heavy appliances and frequent foot traffic mean that laundry room flooring needs to be tough and long-lasting.
Easy Maintenance
Flooring should be simple to clean and maintain. You want it to resist stains from detergents and other laundry products. If the room is a pass-through from the outside or garage into the house, the flooring will see its share of dirt from shoes and boots.
Comfort
You won’t spend as much time here as in your living room or bedroom, but some degree of comfort underfoot can make long laundry sessions more bearable.
Style
Look for laundry room flooring options that complement the rest of your home, especially if your laundry room is in a visible area.
Top Flooring Options for Laundry Rooms
We recommend several flooring types for laundry rooms, including luxury vinyl, porcelain tile, and rubber tile.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) offer style, durability, and water resistance. These options feature:
- 100% waterproof core
- Easy DIY installation
- Dent- and scratch-resistant wear layer
- Realistic wood and stone looks
- Attached to a cork underlayment for comfort and sound insulation
LVP and LVT can handle minor subfloor imperfections. They may require periodic waxing but are durable and water-resistant, making them a solid choice for laundry rooms.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a classic choice for laundry rooms due to its exceptional water resistance and durability. Benefits include:
- Highly waterproof
- Extremely durable (can last decades with proper care)
- Available in many styles, including mosaics, planks, and large-format tiles
You’ll need to seal porcelain tile grout to prevent discoloration from moisture. Another downside is that these tiles can crack if you drop something heavy on them.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Vinyl sheet flooring is an affordable waterproof option. Advantages include:
- Seamless water barrier
- Durable for the cost
- Affordable
Vinyl sheets are custom-cut and sealed over the subfloor using heat-welded seams, creating a waterproof barrier. Style options may be limited, but vinyl sheet flooring offers value for the price.
Epoxy Floor Coating
Epoxy floor coating provides a durable and waterproof solution over a concrete subfloor. Benefits of epoxy flooring include:
- Seamless waterproof finish
- Protects concrete floors
- Long life (10 to 15 years with professional installation)
Epoxy coating is durable, but it can be slippery when wet. You can improve traction by etching the concrete before application. We recommend professional installation for the best results.
Rubber Tiles
Rubber tiles combine durability and comfort. Key features include:
- Easy installation over uneven concrete
- Soft, supportive foam backing
- Doesn’t require extensive floor preparation
- Reduces appliance noise
You can install rubber tiles as a temporary or permanent flooring solution. Thicker tiles (1/2 to 1 inch) provide better support and noise reduction. However, grout lines between tiles can attract dirt, and tiles may buckle if not maintained.
Comparing Laundry Room Flooring Costs
Flooring costs vary by material, coverage area, subfloor preparation, and installation requirements. Here’s a general overview of estimated costs for a 10′ x 10′ laundry room based on data from HomeGuide:
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot | Estimated Cost for 10’ x 10’ Room |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl flooring | $2–$10 | $200–$1,000 |
| Porcelain tile | $2–$30 | $200–$3,000 |
| Vinyl sheet flooring | $1–$4 | $100–$400 |
| Epoxy floor coating | $1–$5 | $100–$500 |
| Rubber tile | $4–$12* | $400–$1,200 |
Note that these estimates don’t include labor costs. You can often save money by handling the installation yourself.
Flooring Trends for Laundry Rooms
Current flooring trends aim to make small areas like laundry rooms feel fresh and more spacious. Here are some popular options.
Large Format Tile
Extra-large porcelain tiles (24 inches x 48 inches) create a seamless, contemporary look. They go in quickly and resist moisture, making them ideal for laundry rooms. Neutral colors such as white and gray make the space feel more open, while bold designs or realistic stone textures add visual interest.
Luxury Vinyl Herringbone
Herringbone-patterned luxury vinyl plank flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood in a waterproof material. This geometric pattern works well with both modern and farmhouse styles. Gray, weathered, and whitewashed color palettes add vintage appeal to contemporary spaces.
Quartz-Look Tile
Quartz-look tiles can add a touch of elegance to your laundry room. Natural stone requires sealing, while porcelain tiles mimic the look of quartz but are more durable and affordable. Dark green or blue tiles can energize small white laundry rooms.
Tips for Installing Laundry Room Flooring
You use your laundry room all the time, so it’s important to install the flooring correctly. Proper installation helps with the longevity and performance of laundry room flooring. Here are some tips:
- Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and level before installation. A pristine surface mitigates future issues such as uneven surfaces or moisture damage.
- Use a moisture barrier over concrete to prevent water damage. The barrier provides an extra layer of protection, safeguarding your flooring from water-related wear and tear.
- Properly seal tile grout lines to prevent moisture penetration. Grout lines are often the weakest points in a tiled floor. Proper sealing helps prevent moisture from seeping in and causing damage.
- When using vinyl plank or tile, leave a small expansion gap around the room’s perimeter. This gap allows the flooring to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature and humidity without warping or buckling.
- Consider professional installation for complex materials, such as epoxy coatings or large format tiles. Professionals can complete tricky installations properly, reducing the risk of errors.
Maintaining Laundry Room Flooring
To keep your laundry room flooring in top condition, only use manufacturer-recommended cleaning products and clean up spills promptly.
Periodically inspect the floor for wear and damage, especially around appliances and water connections. Once a year, reseal tile grout lines to maintain water resistance.
Finally, place mats near entrances and in front of appliances to catch dirt and moisture.
FAQs About Laundry Room Flooring
Marine-grade plywood or CDX exterior-grade plywood are ideal for laundry room subfloors. These plywoods use waterproof adhesives and resist swelling from spills and humidity.
Tile installers recommend grout for floors and where tiles meet. Unlike caulk, grout allows some moisture to evaporate. Just be sure to seal grout yearly. Use caulk only on corner joints between walls and floors.
Rubber flooring between ⅜ and ½ inches thick provides adequate durability and cushioning for residential laundry rooms. We recommend rubber flooring that’s ¾ inches or thicker for laundry rooms with commercial appliances.
Yes, luxury vinyl plank can lay over concrete if you first use an underlayment to smooth any roughness or imperfections. An underlayment helps prevent uneven plank locking and indentation.
Quality vinyl plank flooring is 100% waterproof through the core and attached underlayment. The rigid top layer resists water damage from spills, leaks, and flooding. Avoid vinyl types with an MDF or plywood core.
