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Consumers want more and more from their floors—durable, beautiful and low-maintenance … but waterproof? Wood and water don’t mix, so the only option for homeowners demanding waterproof flooring has been some laminate, LVT or WPC products. American Aquawood (Dalton, Ga.) wants to give real wood a fighting chance.
“As you look at where the industry is going, you see waterproof or water-resistant products have a wider application, whether it’s someone in a high-rise or in a single-family home,” American Aquawood CEO Andy Jordan said. “If we could put real wood inside our homes instead of LVT or those products, all things being equal, we would.”
The company’s namesake product is a 7½-inch-wide wire-brushed European oak veneer finished with eight coats of aluminum oxide. The veneer is attached to a specially formulated core derived from PVC. The core features hollow channels that run the length of the board and help reduce impact sound noise. The product features a tongue-and-groove profile and is installed with adhesive.
Jordan said leaks that typically warp wood floors, like a dishwasher leak or years of overflow from houseplants, will be no match for his product. It is recommended for use in bathrooms, laundry rooms and spas, and any location where engineered wood flooring can be installed.
The product is currently available through American Tile & Stone (Carrollton, Texas) in the company’s eight-state distribution network.