Your bathroom’s flooring is something you should choose carefully. It should be waterproof, durable, hygienic, non-slip and of course, pretty. Certain materials are better options than others because of their properties. You should also consider the colour and pattern as well; they should be cohesive with the rest of the interior and enhance the beauty of the bathroom.
Types of Bathroom Flooring
Vinyl
Looking back on the past decade, vinyl has become one of the most popular bathroom flooring materials. The main three things that make it popular are the easy installation, reasonable price and high water resistance.
The two primary varieties of vinyl composition are wood plastic composite (WPC) and stone plastic composite (SPC). Both have a waterproof core, but many people prefer WPC because it’s very resilient, flexible and thick. It’s ideal when you want to invest in long-lasting bathroom vinyl floor tiles.
Vinyl comes in three variations: plank, sheet and tile flooring.
Plank Flooring
Plank flooring is great for the bathroom, but it’s also suitable for other rooms inside the house. It’s very easy to install and you can put it on top of the already existing bathroom flooring. It’s also scratch-resistant and very comfortable to walk on. Every time you step into the bathroom or step out of the shower, you’ll feel a nice, supportive flooring underneath. plank flooring is great at imitating other textures like marble, stone or wood.
Sheet Flooring
The seamless installation makes this sheet flooring one of the greatest options for your bathroom. Bathrooms are the ideal rooms for it because they’re one of the rooms where the floors are often wet and there’s a lot of moisture. Plus, sheets are easy to install and budget-friendly. Many homeowners make the installation their own DIY project.
Tile Flooring
Tile vinyl flooring looks like regular tiles or stone tiles. They’re very easy to install with the peel-and-stick installation technique. If you damage it somehow, replacing the tile flooring is very easy. Price-wise, these tiles are more expensive than sheet and plank vinyl flooring.
Vinyl flooring is made of PVC which makes it water-resistant. But be careful during the installation and don’t leave any gaps between the tiles. Otherwise, it’ll get damaged. Another excellent advantage of vinyl is that it’s easy to clean. You can use a damp mop with warm water and detergent, or just vacuum it.
Vinyl is also a good insulator and will keep the floor underneath warm. Understandably, it’s softer than wood or ceramic tiles. It gives you a nice surface to step onto first thing in the morning. The best thing about vinyl is that you can find it in a wide variety of colours, patterns and designs. You can match it with any interior and style.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is one of the strongest and most beautiful materials. It always exudes elegance and looks lovely in any setting. Just keep in mind that it can be expensive and it’s not completely water-resistant. Softer materials, such as travertine and limestone, require upkeep and resealing every few years.
On the other hand, harder stones such as marble or granite will need a reseal and upkeep every 5 years. If you want to make your home look beautiful and increase its value, natural stone is the way to go. Stone is of course colder than other types of flooring, but you can easily solve this issue with underfoot heating. This flooring has one-of-a-kind colours and patterns and is very aesthetically pleasing, an investment worth making.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a great replacement for stone if you don’t want to deal with hard installations. Since wood isn’t appropriate for bathroom floors, porcelain tiles make a fantastic substitute for it. Plus, you can mimic other designs like stones and choose from many colours and patterns.
Installing and handling porcelain is very simple because it’s very lightweight as a material and easy to handle. If your bathroom is big, it’s always a good idea to call for professional help. Porcelain tiles are very durable, don’t need a seal and are easy to clean. You only need a vacuum or a broom and a mop.
Just like with the bathroom vinyl floor tiles, the thing that makes porcelain a great option is the water resistance. It also doesn’t stain, which is fantastic because some cleaners and detergents can leave stains on the flooring. Big, bold patterns are very stylish if you want a modern or contemporary bathroom. If you want something simple, smaller tiles will work perfectly.
Concrete
If your home has a slab foundation, you probably have concrete bathroom floors. You can also add a slab or overlay of concrete installed. If you want to add a more modern look to the slab you can do it with stamping, dyeing, polishing or painting. One advantage of concrete is that it can withstand water damage completely and can last for a lifetime.
It’s a long-term investment that will save you a lot of money in the long run. And getting it dyed or stamped will save you even more. Just keep in mind that concrete is slippery when smooth. So, to avoid accidents, slips and falls, add some texture to the floor. Compared to vinyl bathroom flooring, concrete is colder, and this may be a drawback to some people.
Engineered Wood
As mentioned before, natural wood isn’t suitable for bathroom flooring because of the humidity, moisture and constant water splashes. The flooring will warp, spread, shrink and get damaged after a while even if you coat it with sealants. However, engineered wood has a plywood base that makes it moisture-resistant.
Its top layer is a hardwood veneer that gives the illusion of actual, natural wood. This is an expensive choice that has one disadvantage: it can get easily damaged and can only be sanded a few times before the veneer layer is destroyed. Choosing the right bathroom flooring is crucial. Depending on your personal preferences and budget, make the best possible choice and enjoy your time in the bathroom.
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