6 Best Washable Floorings For RV Living Areas Nomads Swear By

You’ve just tracked mud across the living area after a surprise downpour, and your dog decided to shake off right on the factory-installed carpet. That cheap, beige carpeting that came with your rig seemed fine at first, but now it’s a constant source of stress. Choosing the right flooring isn’t just an aesthetic upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift in how you live, clean, and enjoy your mobile space.

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Key Factors for Choosing Washable RV Flooring

Before you fall in love with a style, you have to think like an engineer. An RV is not a stationary house. It’s a box that experiences earthquakes every time you hit the road, with wild temperature and humidity swings that can make typical flooring warp, gap, or crack.

Weight is your first and most important consideration. Every pound you add affects your gas mileage, towing capacity, and overall safety. A heavy tile or thick plank flooring can quickly eat into your precious cargo-carrying capacity. Always check the weight per square foot before buying.

Next, consider the material’s reaction to temperature. A floor that looks perfect in a climate-controlled showroom might expand and buckle in the Arizona summer heat or shrink and leave gaps during a Colorado winter. Look for products with a stable core, specifically rated for wide temperature ranges. Finally, assess your subfloor. Most RV subfloors are OSB or plywood, and they are rarely perfectly flat. A flexible flooring like sheet vinyl or a rigid plank with a built-in underlayment will be far more forgiving than a thin, brittle material that will telegraph every imperfection.

LifeProof Vinyl Plank: The DIY-Friendly Favorite

You’ll find LifeProof Vinyl Plank (LVP) at any Home Depot, and for good reason. It’s the go-to for many RV renovators because it hits a sweet spot of durability, ease of installation, and affordability. Its click-lock system makes it a straightforward DIY project, and its 100% waterproof construction means a spilled water bowl or leaky slide is a cleanup issue, not a catastrophe.

The key to a successful LVP installation in an RV is its rigid core. This helps it span minor subfloor imperfections without bending or breaking, a common problem in older rigs. It also has a pre-attached underlayment, which saves a step and adds a bit of sound dampening. I’ve seen this flooring hold up to kids, dogs, and the general chaos of full-time travel for years with minimal wear.

However, there are tradeoffs. LVP is relatively heavy compared to sheet goods, so you need to calculate the total added weight for your specific rig. You must also leave a proper expansion gap around the entire perimeter—at least 1/4 inch. If you install it tight against the walls and cabinets, it will buckle when temperatures rise. This is the single biggest mistake people make with this material.

Infinity Woven Vinyl: A Premium Marine-Grade Pick

If you’re looking for a high-end, bombproof solution, Infinity Woven Vinyl is in a class of its own. This isn’t your typical vinyl; it’s a marine-grade product designed for the harsh environment of boat decks, which makes it perfect for the rigors of RV life. It’s completely waterproof, antimicrobial, and highly resistant to UV fading, mold, and mildew.

The unique woven texture provides a soft, comfortable feel underfoot that’s more forgiving than hard plank flooring, and it offers excellent traction even when wet. Unlike carpet, dirt and spills sit on top of the weave, making cleanup incredibly simple—you can literally hose it down if you need to. It’s also much lighter than LVP, which is a significant advantage for weight-conscious builds.

The primary downside is cost. Infinity is a premium product with a price tag to match. Installation is also more involved than click-lock planks; it comes in rolls and requires a specific adhesive, so it’s less forgiving of mistakes. But for a top-tier rig or for nomads who spend a lot of time in humid, coastal climates, the investment in a floor that will never stain, mold, or fade is often worth it.

Forbo Marmoleum: The Eco-Conscious Choice

For those concerned with indoor air quality and sustainability, Forbo Marmoleum is an outstanding choice. It’s not your grandma’s old-school linoleum. Made from natural, renewable materials like linseed oil, wood flour, and jute, it’s biodegradable and doesn’t off-gas the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many synthetic floorings.

Marmoleum is naturally antistatic and antimicrobial, which helps keep dust and allergens down in a small space. It’s also incredibly durable and has a "self-healing" property where small scratches tend to disappear over time. It comes in a huge array of vibrant colors and patterns, allowing for more creative designs than standard wood-look planks.

The challenge with Marmoleum is the installation. It’s a sheet product that requires a perfectly smooth, clean subfloor and a specific, low-moisture adhesive. Any bumps or debris underneath will show through. It’s also more susceptible to damage from excessive moisture from below during its curing phase. While the finished surface is waterproof, the installation process is less forgiving than peel-and-stick or click-lock options.

Rubber-Cal Coin-Grip for Ultimate Durability

Sometimes, you just need something that will take an absolute beating without complaint. For toy haulers, gear-heavy adventure rigs, or those with massive dogs, Rubber-Cal’s Coin-Grip flooring is the answer. This is the same stuff you see in commercial gyms and garages, and it’s designed for extreme wear and tear.

This flooring is typically sold in rolls and is made from SBR rubber, providing unmatched impact absorption and traction. Dropping a heavy tool or dragging in a muddy mountain bike won’t faze it. It’s also a fantastic insulator for both sound and temperature, quieting road noise and helping to stabilize the interior climate. Cleanup is as easy as it gets: sweep, mop, or wipe it down.

The aesthetic is definitely industrial, so it’s not for everyone. The "coin-top" texture is functional for grip but might not feel cozy under bare feet. It can also have a distinct rubber smell for the first few weeks after installation, so you’ll want to air out your rig thoroughly. But if your priority list is durability, durability, and more durability, nothing else comes close.

SmartCore Pro: A Tough, Readily Available Option

Found at Lowe’s, SmartCore Pro is another excellent rigid core vinyl plank that gives LifeProof a run for its money. What sets it apart is its commercial-grade wear layer, making it exceptionally resistant to scratches and dents. If you have active pets with claws or frequently move heavy items around, that extra toughness makes a real difference.

Like other rigid core planks, it’s 100% waterproof and has a click-lock installation system. Its construction is particularly good at resisting temperature-induced expansion and contraction, a critical feature for an RV. I’ve found it to be slightly more forgiving on subfloors that aren’t perfectly level compared to some other LVP brands, which can save you a lot of prep work.

The main considerations are, again, weight and the need for precision. You’ll be making a lot of complex cuts around slide-outs, cabinets, and wheel wells. A good set of tools—including a jigsaw and a multi-tool for undercutting trim—is essential. It’s a fantastic all-arounder that balances performance, cost, and accessibility for the average RVer.

Flor Carpet Tiles: A Modular & Washable Solution

For those who love the softness of carpet but hate the cleaning nightmare, FLOR carpet tiles are a brilliant compromise. These are modular 50cm x 50cm carpet squares that stick to each other, not the floor, creating a "floating" custom rug or wall-to-wall installation.

The real magic is in their washability. If you spill red wine or the dog has an accident, you don’t have to break out the carpet cleaner. You simply lift out the affected tile or tiles, wash them in a sink with soap and water, let them dry, and put them back. This modularity is a game-changer for small, high-traffic spaces.

The trade-offs are the seams—while they are tight, they are still visible up close and can collect fine dust. They are also more expensive than traditional carpet. But the ability to replace a single damaged section instead of the entire floor makes them a practical and long-lasting solution for anyone who refuses to give up the comfort of carpet.

Installation Tips for Your New RV Flooring

No matter which flooring you choose, a successful project is 90% preparation. Rushing this stage will lead to failure down the road. Your first step is always to rip out the old flooring and, most importantly, remove the thousands of staples the manufacturer used. A good pair of pliers and a whole lot of patience are your best friends here.

Next, thoroughly inspect and repair your subfloor. Fill any holes, sand down high spots, and ensure it’s as clean and level as possible. This is the most critical step. For plank flooring, plan your layout carefully to avoid ending up with tiny, awkward slivers of plank against a wall. It’s often best to start your first row in the center of the room and work outwards.

Finally, remember the golden rule of RV flooring: leave an expansion gap. Your rig flexes and temperatures change, and the flooring needs room to move. A 1/4-inch gap around all walls, cabinets, and permanent fixtures is non-negotiable for plank-style floors. Cover this gap with quarter-round or shoe molding for a clean, professional finish. Don’t glue or nail the molding to the floor itself, as that would defeat the purpose of the gap.

Ultimately, the best washable flooring is the one that fits your specific travel style, budget, and DIY confidence. Don’t just choose what looks good on Instagram; choose what will stand up to muddy trails, sandy beaches, or desert dust. A floor that’s easy to clean gives you more time to enjoy the journey, and that’s the whole point of this lifestyle.