Your Options for Bathroom Floors: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

YOU HAVE TO INSTALL NEW FLOORING IN YOUR BATHROOM; DON’T LET IGNORANCE BE THE REASON IT TURNS OUT DISASTROUSLY.

You need to install new bathroom floors, but with all the available options out there, you might be a little fuzzy on the pros and cons of each. We’ve rounded up a list of floor covering options, ranked from good to bad to downright ugly so you avoid common pitfalls and get it right the first time.

What to Consider for Your Bathroom Floors

The Good

  • Concrete. Concrete flooring comes in a variety of colors and can be stained according to your color preference. Concrete is durable, sealed against water, moisture-resistant, and easy to maintain, though it may require occasional sealing over time.
  • Ceramic or stone tile. A popular and elegant choice, ceramic tile flooring is non-porous. This means it doesn’t absorb water, making it an ideal moisture-proof choice for bathroom floors. Avoid tile or stone flooring that is too slippery. Without adequate traction, you run the risk of falls. Additionally, choosing a tile or stone flooring with “imperfections” and uneven surfaces for your bathroom floor will save you from shiny floor maintenance headaches.
  • Sheeted vinyl. Waterproof and more cost effective, if vinyl is calling to your sensibilities, purchase it in sheets to avoid the pitfalls of tile vinyl (as described in the next section). Additionally, modern luxury vinyl offers the beauty of traditional flooring with enhanced durability.
  • Sheeted linoleum. Linoleum is oil-based and repels water – just make sure to have a professional size and install the sheets to avoid warping.

The Bad

  • Laminated flooring. This is a decent option for your bathroom floors, however, there are still some final points to consider: Watch out for laminate flooring that simply locks into place as this will leave your floor vulnerable to distortion from water seepage through the cracks. If you are reflooring a simple powder room, lock-in place laminated flooring would be a fine choice.
  • Linoleum tile and vinyl tile. While you would get the water repellent benefits of both coverings, linoleum and vinyl tile have seams and could warp over time.

The Ugly

  • Hardwood. Hardwood is a beautiful flooring option, but one more suitable for other spaces in your house. If used on your bathroom floors in a moist environment, it may be only a matter of time before your gorgeous hardwood warps, cracks, and distorts from water. Fortunately, there are alternative options to replicate the hardwood look you desire. Appropriately called “wood-look,” engineered wood flooring will better withstand moisture.
  • Glass tile. Glass tile offers a plethora of patterns, and you can find recycled materials for an eco-friendly choice. Watch out for tile without texture as this will greatly increase the possibility of slipping and noticeable scratches.
  • Carpet. Though carpet in the bathroom is an interesting idea – and cozy-sounding for bare feet – practically speaking it would be a poor decision for bathroom floors. Moisture traps easily in carpet fibers and is difficult to clean, especially in humid conditions. If you shower in this bathroom, the carpet may never get a chance to dry out, leaving it vulnerable to mildew, mold, and an accompanying unpleasant odor that lingers no matter how many times you clean the usual odor-culprits. And even under the most avid housekeeping regimens, the underlayment can still collect moisture beyond your reach.

Knowledge can get you started on the right track, but to properly ensure the success of your project it’s best to partner with professionals who really know the ins and outs of flooring. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call our team at Floor Coverings International today!

New Jersey: 888-912-5731   Pennsylvania: 215-757-3377        Vermont: 802-891-4086

Related Tags: Bathroom Floors | Bathroom Floor