Waterproof vs. non-waterproof floor
One of the hot topics of 2025 is waterproof flooring. We’ve received many questions about it and noticed that several terms related to waterproof and non-waterproof flooring are often used in a confusing or misleading way. That’s why we’d like to help you navigate between the different types of flooring — in this blog post, we’ll clarify what you need to know!
In advertisements from several flooring retailers, you can see “waterproof” floors being offered — such as laminate, PVC, vinyl, and so on. This “waterproof” quality is the most frequently mentioned argument against wooden floors, as the myth still persists that wooden flooring or parquet cannot be mopped.
It’s worth noting, however, that even with laminate, PVC, and vinyl, “waterproof” is limited — some products offer 12 or 24 hours of “water resistance,” while with others, any spilled water must be wiped up immediately.
First, it’s important to know that oak flooring naturally absorbs a lot of water during its life in the forest, so water is not harmful to the tree — on the contrary, it is essential for its vitality. After the oak logs are cut, at our facility we even water them during the summer heat to prevent rapid drying and the cracks that can result, while also avoiding inner moisture build-up that could cause graying or spotting.
For EDELHOLZ flooring products — whether hardwood straight planks, herringbone / chevron parquet, stairs, or wall covering— water is not the enemy!
Wooden floor planks are suitable for wet mopping; contrary to popular belief, wet or damp cleaning is not harmful — it is actually beneficial for the wood. Of course, wooden floors do not need to be mopped wet every day; in most cases, dry cleaning (vacuuming) is sufficient. You can safely use a dry-technology robot vacuum on your wooden floor. However, for machine-based wet cleaning or steam cleaning, consult our specialists, as several factors need to be considered.
For cleaning wooden floors, Edelholz offers a liquid wood soap concentrate, which, when added to the mop water, effectively cleans and cares for the floor’s surface. You can read about the cleaning process in one of our previous blog posts.
Regarding floor cleaning, we would like to highlight the advantages of oiled surface treatments:
- oiled floors can be renewed without sanding through cost-effective and quick maintenance oiling.
- this maintenance is needed every 6–8 years in case of residential use.
- the surface can be repaired locally.
- the treatment creates a breathable, humidity-regulating surface.
- the surface treatment is free from harmful substances.
You can read more about cleaning and caring for wooden floors in our guides, or visit one of our showrooms, where our expert colleagues are ready to provide advice.