Wet Areas

Characteristics and performance of wet area floor finishes.

Carpet – synthetic

• Not damaged by water.
• Supports bacterial and fungi growth.
• Allows water to percolate.
• Slip-resistant when wet.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas.
• Not suitable for shower floor.

Carpet – wool and natural fibre

• Damaged by water.
• Supports bacterial and fungi growth.
• Allows water to percolate.
• Slip-resistant when wet.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Not suitable for splash areas
• Not suitable for shower floor.
• Not recommended for wet areas.

Cement plaster

• Not damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• May absorb water if not sealed.
• Slip-resistance when wet depends on surface finish.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas if sealed.
• Suitable for shower floor if has impervious coating system.

Concrete

• Not damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Doesn’t allow water to percolate.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has textured surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas if steel-trowelled dense finish.
• Suitable for shower floor if steel-trowelled dense finish.
• Installation must include control joints.

Cork

• Not damaged by water if correctly coated.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth if correctly coated.
• Doesn’t allow water to percolate if correctly coated.
• Slippery if has a gloss coating.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas if correctly coated.
• Not suitable for shower floor.
• Correct coating is critical.

Linoleum

• Damaged
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth when dry.
• Allows water to percolate through joints.
• Slippery when wet.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Not suitable for splash areas.
• Not suitable for shower floor.
• Not recommended for wet areas.

PVC (vinyl)

• Not damaged by water if correctly coated.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Doesn’t allow water to percolate if has welded joints.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has profiled surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas.
• Suitable for shower floor if has welded joints.
• Generally requires 2 mm thickness to allow welding of joints.

Rubber

• Not damaged by water if correctly coated.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Doesn’t allow water to percolate if has sealed or welded joints.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has profiled surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas.
• Not suitable for shower floor.

Terrazzo

• Not damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Doesn’t allow water to percolate.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has textured surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas.
• Suitable for shower floor.
•  Installation must include control joints.

Tiles – ceramic

• Not damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Allows water to percolate – requires waterproof membrane.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has slip-resistant surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas – membrane required for wood-based flooring.
• Suitable for shower floor if has waterproof membrane and impervious joints.
• Installation must include control joints on a rigid base.
• Ceramic tiles must have a moisture absorption of no more than 6%.

Tiles – stone and marble

• Not damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Allows water to percolate – requires waterproof membrane.
• Slip-resistant when wet if has textured surface.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet.
• Suitable for splash areas – may require sealing.
• Suitable for shower floor if has waterproof membrane and impervious joints – may require sealing.
• Installation must include control joints on a rigid base.
• Stone and marble tiles must have a moisture absorption of no more than 6%.

Timber and particleboard

• Damaged by water.
• Doesn’t support bacterial and fungi growth.
• Water may enter though joints.
• Applied coatings require slip-resistant additive.
• Suitable for areas not normally wet when sealed.
• Can be used for splash areas if coated but risk of water entry at joints.
• Not suitable for shower floor.
• Not recommended for wet areas.