Waterproof laminate is a real step up from the old wax-edge boards. The core is still HDF, but the joints are sealed and the surface resists standing water for a set number of hours, usually 24 to 72 depending on the line. That rating only holds when the floor goes down right.
Our crew starts with the subfloor. Waterproof laminate is still a floating floor, so it needs a flat base: 3/16 inch over 10 feet is the number most manufacturers print in the warranty. We check it with a long straightedge and fix humps and dips before a single plank goes down.
We leave a 1/4 to 3/8 inch expansion gap at every wall, cabinet run and door jamb. In wet rooms we fill that gap at tubs and toilets with a flexible silicone the manufacturer approves, so a spill cannot get under the edge.
Most waterproof lines we install carry an AC4 wear rating, which holds up to dogs, kids and kitchen traffic. Call (855) 751-1996 and we will bring samples to your home and measure the rooms for a written estimate.