Top Bathroom Flooring Options

Ceramic, vinyl, and concrete are just several of the flooring options available for bathrooms. If you need to know what type of flooring is most suitable in a bathroom, look no further! Although most homeowners tend to focus on the most attractive designs, there are a few other details to be considered. Bathroom flooring needs to be waterproof, as well as durable, in order to meet or exceed the needs of a moist environment.

Toilets overflow, showers mist walls and floors, water splashes outside of a sink – bathrooms are wet. In a regularly wet environment, such as the bathroom, water has an ability to utterly destroy the wrong kind of flooring. Although creating a beautiful, peaceful space may be your biggest goal when renovating or remodeling your bathroom, opting for waterproof flooring should rank at the top of the list.

Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Tile

As one of the most popular bathroom flooring choices, ceramic and porcelain tile are a top choice for a reason. They are relatively inexpensive, as well as waterproof, while also able to mimic other various materials, at a price you can afford. Although porcelain and ceramic tile can provide the same look as wood or natural stone, porcelain provides a more durable, less porous surface. Due to a higher firing temperature, and use of refined clay, porcelain is the superior bathroom flooring option. Initially, ceramic and porcelain feel cold to the touch, but are compatible with radiant heating underlay. In terms of heated bathroom flooring, porcelain tile and ceramic tile are rather popular choices. With nearly unlimited styles, colors, and designs, you can bet there is a ceramic or porcelain tile to fit your needs.

Con: The only issue with these materials is that they are innately slippery, which is why a textured porcelain tile or ceramic tile can make all the difference. Aside from a textured surface providing better traction, smaller tiles are another alternative due to the use of more grout (which also provides more traction).

Natural Stone Tile

Although it will go great lengths in raising your home's resale value, installing natural stone provides a level of luxury otherwise unmatched by most other hard surfaces, at a price. Natural stone tile is expensive, and not always waterproof – an important detail for bathrooms. In fact, some softer materials, requiring resealing every few years, especially in regard to stone such as limestone, and travertine. Marble and granite, on the other hand, provide a 1-3 year span before resealing is needed. Like other types of tile, natural stone is cold to the touch, but works well with underfloor heating. It is also slippery, which is why homeowners should opt for tumbled or honed tile, rather than polished. Some natural stone is available with a sandblasted texture, while products such as slate provide a natural texture.

Con: Once you have installed natural stone tile, you are making a commitment to regularly refinishing your floors. This lifespan can range from a few months up to 3 years, depending on the hardness of your chosen stone tile.

Vinyl Flooring

Available in a variety of materials, you can purchase vinyl tile, sheet vinyl, and vinyl planks in a wide range of colors, textures, styles, and more. Homeowners favor vinyl over a variety of bathroom flooring options mostly due to ease of installation, as well as water-resistance, and pricing. Sheet vinyl is increasingly popular, as it provides a level of waterproofing other unmatched by other forms of vinyl, and bathroom tile, due to its seamless nature. Vinyl also provides a waterproof core, in two variations: stone plastic composite, and wood plastic composite. WPC, or wood plastic composite, is favored for its flexible, thick nature, and overall resiliency.

Con: Due to vinyl's reasonable pricing, it won't increase your resale value compared to other expensive materials, such as natural stone. Some time after installation, vinyl may also develop curls, gaps, and bumps. Additionally, if pierced with a sharp object, holes and tears may be difficult (if not impossible) to repair.

Note: Although vinyl is often confused with laminate, one is plastic based, while the other is wood-chip based. This is what makes laminate an inferior flooring, especially in bathroom or kitchen installation scenarios. Due to the nature of a wood-chip core, laminate will absorb water and create bubbles if it comes into contact with water – requiring total replacement.

Concrete Flooring

Commonly found in homes on a slab foundation, concrete bathrooms can be poured into a bathroom and used as flooring. Concrete slabs and overlays may be stained, dyed, polished, painted, or stamped in order to create a unique look to match any modern style. Concrete will last a lifetime, thanks to its impervious nature toward water damage. It is also rather affordable, regardless of whether it's stained or stamped, which makes concrete the most cost-effective choice in bathroom flooring in terms of longevity.

Cons: Concrete can be rather slippery, especially if finished in a smooth surface. This is why many professional finishers offer the option of adding texture for traction. Concrete is also innately cold, and hard to the touch, and not compatible with heating underlay.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Standard advice is to avoid wood and water. However, if you are absolutely stuck on wood flooring in your bathroom, engineered wood flooring is the only way to go. Engineered wood flooring provides the look of real hardwoods thanks to a thin layer of natural, wood veneer on top. If you work closely with a professional, engineered wood flooring can be a viable option in your bathroom with some careful planning.

Cons: Wood and water do not mix. Engineered wood flooring is also an expensive option compared to other, more suitable bathroom flooring products. Should engineered wood flooring planks need repair, sanding can quickly cut through the top veneer into other core layers. Ultimately, engineered wood is prone to moisture damage, regardless of the level of topcoat protection.

If you’re planning an upcoming bathroom remodel, send us an email to see what we can do for you!