Choosing your bathroom flooring? We'll explain what to look out for when purchasing the perfect surface for this most-important of rooms.
The quality of a bathroom has the potential to either make or break the overall look and feel of your home. This makes remodelling and renovating a bathroom one of the key aspects of a homeowner's journey to having a complete home that is warm and welcoming.
That said, renovating a bathroom can often be a tedious and time-consuming process, from planning to obtaining quotations and deciding on styles and designs.
One of the key decisions many homeowners have to make is choosing the right type of flooring for their bathrooms, as choosing the wrong one can mean years of frustration over cleaning and unnecessary repair costs, even additional remodelling jobs.
One of the main reasons choosing the right bathroom flooring is important is due to the constant exposure to water and moisture that your floor will be handling and taking the brunt of. Water damage over a long period causes wear and tear along with the build-up of mould and mildew, causing further damage to the flooring system and structure.
Calcolo Champlain Victorian tile laminate water flooring is both stylish and water-resistant
The importance of waterproof flooring
One of the main points of confusion for many first-time renovators is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant flooring.
Water-resistant flooring has the property of not absorbing as much water and can essentially “waterproof” itself against light splashes and cleaning jobs. In contrast, waterproof flooring completely protects your floor from water damage and damage to your internal flooring structure.
Waterproof flooring, while generally more expensive initially, is a better investment for the long term as it prevents water damage to the subflooring below your floor.
The prevention of mould and mildew from seeping into the subfloors helps hold the structure stronger for longer.
Water-resistant flooring is cheaper due to its lower cost materials such as plywood and MDF used in its core. However, water will eventually seep into the structure and cause damage to the subfloor, warping and peeling the wood beneath.
That said, it is popularly used in kitchens and utility rooms due to its cheaper cost and easier maintenance, but be sure to keep in mind the potential costs arising from repair to damage to your flooring.
With that, here are some of the best bathroom floorings you can consider when undertaking your next remodelling project.
Porcelain or ceramic floor tiles
Ceramic or porcelain floor tiles are one of the most popular and versatile options available on the market. They are good for their waterproof material and come in a wide range of colours and designs.
The main difference between the two types of tiles is that porcelain tiles are more waterproof than ceramic, making them a great option for your forever home. Ceramic is also waterproof but does absorb a certain amount of water, however not a significant amount to cause adequate damage. Both types of tiles are also seen as generally sterile, making them a great option for bathrooms where bacteria and germs grow aplenty.
Some homeowners choose not to opt for ceramic or porcelain tiles as they are slippery when wet, and can feel cold to the touch often due to their heat-dissipating properties. That said, these tiles are an excellent choice for long-term homeowners looking to add a classical flair to their bathrooms.
Waterproof vinyl flooring
Vinyl has become a trendy option amongst young homeowners looking to add a modern touch to their bathrooms and overall home style. More contractors and companies have expanded their products to include vinyl flooring options for bathrooms to meet this new and burgeoning demand.
Vinyl is a highly durable and scratch-resistant material, along with being waterproof as well which makes it resistant to damage from water and scrubbing during cleaning.
Tiles are made of so many different things. Ceramic tile, engineered wood flooring, solid wood, ceramic tiles, porcelain tile, luxury vinyl tile, laminate flooring, best bathroom flooring might be porcelain and ceramic tiles. Underfloor heating is great, and the best flooring should be able to support this and cleaning laminate flooring.
The cost of vinyl has also been decreasing as it becomes more commonplace and is more affordable than stone and hardwood flooring. This makes it a common choice for not just bathroom flooring but bedrooms and office spaces as well. Its versatile nature makes it stand out as one of the most desirable bathroom flooring options today.
Stone
Natural stone is a fantastic flooring option for your bathroom that comes in a wide variety of materials, from granite to limestone and even marble. Their properties are similar to porcelain tiles, with high durability to wear and tear, waterproofing, along with highly aesthetic designs to spruce up your contemporary bathroom.
Some consideration for new homeowners looking to get natural stone tile flooring is its difficult installation process which requires expert contractors to be done. Stone flooring also requires extra attention in maintenance to prevent moisture absorption, which can be mitigated by applying the sealant regularly.
Naturally, stone tile flooring is more expensive than other types of flooring due to the high cost of raw materials such as limestone and marble, which adds to their luxurious fame. While high in cost, they are undoubtedly one of the best-looking bathroom flooring designs for the modern homeowner.
Stained concrete
For older buildings or ones that only have a concrete foundation, you may consider staining and finishing the concrete floor as your bathroom flooring option. It is one of the easiest and least expensive bathroom flooring available, with plenty of options to customize the finishing colours and designs to your liking.
Beware however that stained concrete flooring can feel cold to the touch and is often slippery as well and may require the placement of anti-slip mats which may take away from showing off your personalised finish.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many options available on the market today for your bathroom flooring needs. We have listed some factors to consider when making your choice such as your budget, style, floor size and design sensibilities as well.
Choosing the right bathroom floor can bring out the personality of your bathroom and by extension your home as well. For new homeowners, this is the perfect opportunity to express your creativity by customising your flooring to your unique tastes.
The overall appearance of a house may be made or broken by the quality of the bathroom. This makes remodelling and upgrading a bathroom one of the essential steps a homeowner may take to create a finished, hospitable house.
We hope this guide helps you in choosing your next great bathroom floor.
