When shopping for electronics, outerwear, watches, or building materials, you have probably noticed that some products are labeled as “waterproof” while others are labeled as “water repellent”. While both offer better protection from water than other items, the two terms do not mean the same thing.
in the an article for BobVila.com, Tom Scalisi explains the difference between “waterproof” and “water repellent” products and gives some tips on shopping for both types of items.
Waterproof vs. water repellent
First, the difference between the two terms. According to Scalisi, waterproof items are impermeable to water, meaning they are completely sealed or in some way protected from the harmful effects of water.
Water-repellent products, on the other hand, repel water and offer a certain degree of protection – but only to a certain extent. “After a certain exposure time or a certain pressure, the water is either soaked or seeped through,” he writes. Here are a few examples for each category.
electronics
It can be difficult here. Scalisi says that some electronics manufacturers market a certain product as waterproof, but then state that the protection only lasts up to a certain point. So yes: that makes them water-repellent, not waterproof. Here is as he explains these restrictions:
Regardless of their marketing, all waterproof speakers, phones, watches and cameras have small seams from the assembly process. Regardless of how tight the parts fit or what type of seals are used, water will penetrate these cracks at a certain depth or immersion depth. When the water pressure exceeds the pressure the seam can hold back, the water goes in.
Because of this, these devices have depth limits or ratings. For example, a digital watch can have a water resistance of 200 meters. That means it can theoretically handle water pressure at depths of up to 200 meters before water can penetrate.
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dress
When buying a raincoat or other outdoor clothing, choose something that will keep you dry. But again, waterproof articles and water repellent articles are not the same thing – and they all have desirable properties.
Waterproof fabric, for example, offers the highest level of protection from rain, snow and the elements. But that also means they can get stuffy and make you hot and sweaty (which then makes you wet, if not from the weather). And while water-repellent fabrics don’t keep you dry when it rains, they’re more breathable so you won’t overheat and sweat under them, explains Scalisi.
He also provides additional information the water protection to be observed in building materials as well as kitchen and bathroom floors.
