Have you been trying to decide the type of bathroom flooring for your home? You can use these tips to choose the right flooring for your bathroom.
Whatever the size or style of the room, upgrading your bathroom’s flooring will add more aesthetic appeal and ease of use to the room. With so many options for bathroom flooring, where do you begin? Here are some helpful hints to help you choose the right bathroom flooring that will be stunning and appealing to you.
Popular Bathroom Flooring Options
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Advantages and Design Options
1. Fluid Resistance
Since porcelain tiles are crafted differently from ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are denser and more resistant to porous surfaces compared to ceramic tiles. The materials are highly liquid-resistant, allowing them to be used in bathrooms.
The durability of porcelain tile is among the best flooring options. Due to the tile’s hardness, it won’t break as easily, so it holds up well to scratches and chips.
2. Cost
From the different tile flooring options that you can choose from when it comes to cost, ceramic tiles may be your best choice. Compared to something like porcelain, this type of bathroom flooring is extremely affordable.
Installation Considerations
Clean, level, and rigid flooring is required for ceramic and porcelain tile installation. If your flooring flexes or shows unevenness, ensure it is repaired and reinforced where necessary. Put down a cement board or underlayment made of fiber cement. Moisture-resistant and liquid-proof, these two materials are resistant to both.
Vinyl Flooring
Types of Vinyl Flooring
1. Luxury Vinyl Tiles
In contrast, vinyl tiles are highly customizable since they come in various styles and materials – in essence, coming close to the appearance and feel of natural stone, ceramic, and marble.
2.Vinyl Sheet Flooring
As opposed to other flooring options, vinyl sheets are readily available on rolls and are easy to install on existing bathroom flooring. It is an excellent choice for bathrooms.
Waterproof Features and Design Possibilities
Vinyl flooring has excellent moisture resistance, greater than most other hard surfaces. Due to this reason, they are often chosen by homeowners for bathrooms to provide a stylish style while maintaining a safe environment.
Waterproofing or resistance to water is made possible by the materials in vinyl plank flooring. Four layers of material are usually present in premium vinyl flooring. To ensure your floor is completely waterproof, it is recommended that you choose rigid core flooring. They typically include an underlayment that provides excellent sound absorption, enhanced comfort, and protection against mold. Moreover, underfloor heating is possible with this system.
Plank format tiles are commonly laid in an offset pattern, sometimes called a running bond pattern or brick style for their natural appearance.
Natural Stone
Various Stone Options
1. Slate
Due to its smooth grain and intricate clefts, it maintains a beautiful appearance for years to come. The color combinations can be customized to your liking, and maintenance is easy.
2. Granite
Since granite is durable, this stone is an ideal choice for bathrooms. You can apply sealant to protect it further if you want.
3. Limestone
It’s composed of calcite and calcium carbonate, common in shallow coastal waters. Other options cannot compare to it due to its coral fragments, fossilized organisms, and shells. It’s a beautiful option.
Benefits and Care Requirements
High durability: Stone tile is waterproof, scratch- and stain-resistant, and can withstand high foot traffic without wearing out.
Heat retention: Stone tiles provide a comfortable walking surface even in cold weather. Installing them over radiant heat makes them suitable for heated floors as well.
Restoration: Repolishing and refinishing natural stone is generally possible, whereas manufactured stone cannot be refinished and polished.
In general, stone floors should be washed, dusted, sealed, and polished regularly. Natural stone is highly abrasive, so cleaning it frequently and quickly is important.
Engineered Wood
Characteristics of Engineered Wood Suitable for Bathrooms
This bathroom flooring is not only more stable, but it can also withstand extreme weather conditions. Engineered wood is not affected by temperature changes, and its multi-ply core and high-quality veneer prevent moisture from penetrating.
Maintenance Tips and Limitations
- Generally, hardwood and solid engineered floors should be cleaned only by damp mopping or wiping.
- Dust or sweep before mopping.
- Make sure spills are cleaned up right away.
- Don’t go too long in between cleaning.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Flooring
Water Resistance and Durability
Bathrooms are popular places to install ceramic tiles. There is no doubt that tiles tick the durability and moisture-proof boxes and stain-resistance boxes for bathroom flooring.
Adding sheet vinyl flooring to your bathroom will save you the most money, as it will reduce both the cost of flooring and the costs of installation. Moreover, vinyl sheet is waterproof, stain-resistant, and extremely durable.
There are several flooring options that are more environmentally friendly, including cork and bamboo. Renewable resources such as cork are available. In contrast to most other trees, this tree doesn’t die when its bark is stripped: it grows new bark instead. Water, mold, and mildew won’t damage the cork, making it ideal for bathrooms.
Ceramic Tiles
Pros
- A very durable product
- Waterproof and stain-resistant
- Contains no allergens
- There are many options for design
Cons
- Occasionally cold
- A hard surface to walk on
- Heavy in weight
- Installation is challenging and time-consuming
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Pros
- Adaptable
- Stylish and comfortable
- Easy installation at an affordable price
Cons
- Refinishing is not possible
- Relatively low resale value
- It is not eco-friendly
Cork Flooring
Pros
- Beautiful looking
- Flooring that is sustainable
- Long-lasting
- Hypoallergenic and healthy floors
Cons
- Sensitive to light
- Sealing needed
Slip Resistance and Safety
Non-slip bathroom flooring is available from most manufacturers to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Surface Textures and Coatings to Enhance Traction
To enhance traction and safety on your concrete floor, consider the following suggestions: Surface finishes with texture are best. Sandblasting, stencil pave, exposed aggregate, sandblasting, and broom finishing are some examples of textures.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Ease of Cleaning Different Flooring Materials
Mild detergent solutions are best for cleaning vinyl flooring. Combine a gallon of water and ¼ cup of mild dishwashing liquid. Avoid using bleach or ammonia-containing products, as these chemicals can damage vinyl flooring.
Make sure your cleaning solution is pH-balanced and diluted in water before using it on wood or cork. Abrasive chemical cleaners and ammonia-based cleaners should be avoided. To clean cork floors naturally, add four parts vinegar to one part water and mop it thoroughly.
Stain Resistance and Prevention of Mold/Mildew Growth
Is vinyl bathroom flooring susceptible to mold growth? Mold grows anywhere if the environment is right. There is no doubt that vinyl floors resist moisture. Nevertheless, mold may still grow around the planks’ edges or along the wall’s edge. It is also possible for mildew to grow under vinyl flooring when liquids are present on the concrete.
When mopping always use a damp mop to avoid too much water seeping into the cracks of vinyl flooring or along the edges, which can lead to mold growth. Any stains that spill on any type of flooring need to be cleaned up asap to avoid stains setting in.
Closing
Whatever material you choose, whether it’s tile or vinyl, this busy room in your home will benefit from new flooring. The factors above should be taken into account before you choose a flooring type.
Beautiful and easy-to-maintain floors will give you the most value in terms of functionality. Discover a variety of materials and styles to find the perfect flooring for your home.