Water-Resistant Laminate Flooring in Toronto

About water-resistant laminate flooring

Besso carries 44 water-resistant laminate floors in Toronto, all 12mm thick, from Panda Flooring, Lee Flooring and Floors At Work. Regular prices run from $1.95 to $3.29 per sq ft (October 2026), and several Panda colours are on sale for less. See them in person at our Markham or Etobicoke showroom before you order.

Water-resistant laminate looks like a wood floor but has a surface and locking joints made to hold off spills for longer than standard laminate. That makes it a practical choice for kitchens, entryways and dry basements, where ordinary laminate would swell at the seams.

Water-resistant laminate prices at Besso

Prices per sq ft below are worked out from the regular box prices on the collection page, as of October 2026, before tax.

How much water-resistant laminate do you need?

Measure the room and add about 10 percent for cuts. For a 300 sq ft basement rec room, that’s 330 sq ft. In Lee R-series at 24.1 sq ft a box, you need 14 boxes, about $658 at regular price before tax. In Panda WR24 series at 25.92 sq ft a box, you need 13 boxes, about $738. Add underlay and trim such as T-moldings and reducers, which are sold separately.

Water-resistant vs. waterproof laminate

Water-resistant laminate is not waterproof. It resists spills on the surface and at the joints for a limited time, but its core is still wood fibre, so standing water, a flood or a slow leak can still swell it. Besso also carries waterproof laminate, which is rated to handle standing water for longer. If a room may see standing water, choose waterproof vinyl or porcelain tile instead.

Where water-resistant laminate works

Kitchens and entryways

These are the best fit. Water-resistant laminate handles dropped drinks, pet bowls and wet boots, as long as you wipe up water rather than leave it to sit.

Basements

Water-resistant laminate works in a dry basement. Test the concrete for moisture first, lay a vapour barrier underlay, and leave the expansion gap the installation guide asks for. If the basement has ever flooded or leaked, choose waterproof vinyl instead.

Bathrooms

Skip it in full bathrooms with a tub or shower, where water pools on the floor. A powder room is a closer call, so check the product’s installation guide first. For a full bathroom, vinyl or porcelain tile is the safer choice.

Toronto condos

Check your building’s rules first. Many Toronto condo corporations set a minimum sound rating for new floors, and laminate usually needs an acoustic underlay to meet it. Ask your property manager for the requirement before you choose.

Water-resistant laminate vs. vinyl

Choose laminate for a harder, more scratch-resistant surface and a more convincing wood look in kitchens, living areas and dry basements. Choose vinyl where water may stand on the floor, such as full bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements with a history of leaks, because its core doesn’t swell.

What to look for

All of Besso’s water-resistant laminate is 12mm thick, which feels more solid underfoot than thinner laminate. Panda’s WR lines are rated AC4, a wear rating for heavy residential traffic. Wider, longer planks such as Panda’s 9 by 72 inch WR90 series show fewer seams, which also means fewer joints for water to find.

Caring for water-resistant laminate

Sweep or vacuum often, and clean with a damp, well-wrung mop. Don’t use a steam mop or let water pool, and put mats at exterior doors to catch winter salt and slush.

See water-resistant laminate in person

Colour and texture look different under your own light, so see a few boards before you order. Visit our Markham or Etobicoke showroom and take a sample home. Besso’s design team offers complimentary design consulting and graphic rendering services, and delivery is included for select orders. For more styles, browse all of our laminate flooring, or our vinyl flooring for rooms that need a waterproof floor.