Moisture-Resistant Flooring in Wet Areas
Bathrooms, kitchens, main entryways, and laundry rooms use moisture-resistant flooring.
Spec
Applies uniformly from Silver upward.
Scope
Floor finishes in wet areas: bathrooms, kitchens, main entryways, and laundry rooms.
Requirements
- 01.
Install moisture-resistant flooring in all wet-area rooms: tile, sheet vinyl, LVT/LVP, sealed concrete, or marine-grade plywood with appropriate finish.
- 02.
Carpet, unsealed wood, and laminate flooring are not permitted in wet-area rooms.
- 03.
Transitions between wet-area and dry-area flooring must include a watertight seal (caulk or threshold).
Documentation
Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.
- 01.
Photos of installed flooring in each wet-area room.
- 02.
Material spec sheets confirming moisture-resistant rating.
Guidance
Engineered wood + LVP — the modern wet-area workhorses
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and waterproof engineered wood are both visually indistinguishable from real hardwood at typical viewing distance and fully waterproof. They've become the default for kitchens and bathrooms in green-built homes. Look for products with a wear layer of 20+ mil and a real waterproof core (SPC or WPC).
Note
Tile remains the gold standard for showers and high-splash areas. For radiant heating systems, tile + a decoupling membrane (Schluter Ditra, etc.) prevents cracking from substrate movement.