So you've decided to re-do the bathroom, you're excited and you immediately pick up your phone and start researching bathroom flooring ideas….fast forward 10 minutes and you are completely overwhelmed by all the images on Pinterest. Don't worry, we're here to help! Combing through the best bathroom flooring options doesn't have to be overwhelming.
The reality is, you will want to find something that is in your budget while giving you the look you were hoping to achieve but most importantly you need to make sure that the flooring option you choose can stand up to large amounts of water (…cue the durability and slip-resistant features!) Here is our take on the best flooring options for bathrooms:
Porcelain or Ceramic Tile For Your Bathroom
Tile has our vote for the best flooring for your bathroom. It's waterproof and comes in such a wide variety of styles, colors, shapes, patterns and sizes. You can achieve just about any look you were going for and can even mix and match them for a truly unique design by using floor tile, wall tile, accent tiles, etc. Porcelain tile is part of the ceramic tile family and the only difference between them is the water absorption rate. The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) certifies types of tile as "porcelain" if they have a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. To learn more about the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile – head on over to our other blog post!
Bathroom Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a great bathroom flooring option and has been a popular selection for homeowners for several years. It is an extremely durable and stylish product that, best of all, has water-resistant properties! With so many types available (Sheet Vinyl, Vinyl Tiles and Vinyl Planks) as well as a variety of patterns/looks (Wood, Stone and even Patterns) there is something for every style. And cleaning and maintenance is pretty low-key with vinyl floors, so you can spend more time relaxing in your bathtub rather than scrubbing your floors; sounds like a win-win to us!
Waterproof & Water-Resistant Laminate Bathroom Flooring
Laminate flooring has become a popular choice for bathroom floors due to the wide-range of benefits it offers homeowners. In the past laminate floors have been left out of the bathroom for moisture concerns, but now, with waterproof laminate options available you can put this product in your bathrooms and get the luxurious look of wood without the hassle. Waterproof & Water Resistant Laminate Flooring options offer you peace of mind with 48 hour spill and wet mop warranties.
Natural Stone Bathroom Flooring
Maybe you like the luxurious look of stone and want to incorporate that into your spa-like retreat (we are thinking your master bath that you don't share with kids!) Natural Stone is a durable and beautiful product for your bathroom floor and could certainly add to your resale value later down the road. Some stone floors can be slippery, so you might want to look for something that is naturally textured (like slate). Also it is important to keep in mind that there are some moisture problems that could arise with natural stone bathroom floor options; you should discuss this with your sales associate prior to purchasing, this way you know the best way to care for the product after it is installed.
And now – just a few thoughts on the some flooring you may want to skip on for the bathroom:
Hardwood Flooring
Any type of wood product (solid or engineered) is prone to some serious damage in a bathroom, no matter how well you try to protect it. If you have hardwood throughout your home and wish to carry the look through into the bathroom, try matching it with a waterproof option like laminate and save yourself the heart-ache. Or if you are doing a powder room with no shower or bathtub present – you could probably get away with it. But just keep in mind – wood and water don't play nice together and you might want to keep them away from each other.
Non-Waterproof Laminate Flooring
We discussed the waterproof option above – but it's important to know that other laminate products on the market may not be an ideal bathroom flooring option. Overexposure to moisture could begin to warp the floors and make it unsightly --- and you'll be re-doing your bathroom sooner than you ever expected.
Carpet
Since carpet has a tendency to soak up or retain moisture for so long it could be very difficult product to put into a space that is faced with large quantities of water on a daily basis. Consider covering your floors with a throw rug with a rubber backing instead; this allows you to air out the rug if it is wet and avoid issues like mold or damaging the floor underneath.
At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!
Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.
If you have any questions, please email us.
