Bathroom Flooring Guide

Types of bathroom flooring

If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, you may have looked into what types of bathroom flooring you’d like to use. There are several types of bathroom flooring to choose from, each having its own look, feel, benefits, and drawbacks. Read below to learn all about the different types of flooring you have to choose from before you make that call.

Ceramic/ Porcelain Tile

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are a great choice for bathroom floors. They have a beautiful look and can pair well with any design style. If covered with a protective glaze, ceramic tiles are resistant to scratches and everyday wear. They are easy to clean and maintain.

Though they are a great choice, ceramic and porcelain have their drawbacks. They’re not super comfortable on the feet, as they’re not only hard but cold. Ceramic and Porcelain are also a little more difficult to install but can be done yourself.

Laminate Floor

Laminate flooring is an increasingly popular choice for bathroom flooring, and for good reason. Laminate can come in the form of tiles or planks. Both are easy to install and very affordable to purchase. It’s easy to transition to laminate from another flooring type because it doesn’t raise the height of the existing floor and can often be installed right on top of the existing flooring. They’re also easy to clean and pretty durable.

As wonderful as laminate flooring can be, it has its pitfalls. Laminate doesn’t stand up to moisture very well. Use caulk to seal any gaps around the bathtub or shower, walls and other fixtures. If water sits on the laminate it can penetrate the material, causing it to warp, buckle, and expand. If using laminate flooring in the bathroom, be sure to wipe it down immediately if water spills on it.

Cork Floor

Cork flooring is an incredible choice of bathroom flooring. I’m not sure there are many, if any, negatives about this flooring choice, so I’ll give you all the great positives. Cork flooring is great on your feet. Its surface is warm and softer than most other choices. It is also extremely durable, resistant to both water and flames. Cork floors can be completely submerged in water without rotting.

Cork flooring is not only water and flame resistant but also insect resistant. It has a waxy component in the material that naturally repels termites and mold. It’s often a popular flooring choice because of its energy saving characteristics. The material insulates, keeping in heat, and also blocks out sound. There’s really nothing cork flooring can’t do!

Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles are probably the most common choice for bathroom flooring. Its affordability, durability, and ease o f installation is hard to argue with. Vinyl is the cheapest flooring to purchase and you can install it yourself.

There is also a huge variety of choices in design to choose from. Some designs can even resemble stone or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are warmer than ceramic tiles, making them easy on your feet. It has a foam-like backing that makes the floor softer to the touch, as well.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to bathroom flooring. Style and durability are always big factors, but most materials have improved in both areas so much that your options aren’t limited. Take your budget and family needs into account and choose the best flooring type for your bathroom.

Thank you to Nina Wells who wrote this article. Nina is a guest author from Clearwells and is a respected and expert voice in a plethora of health related subjects