How to Choose The Right Flooring For Your Bathroom

A bathroom renovation can be one of the most satisfying and value adding improvements you can make to any home. Getting rid of a dated or worn out bathroom and transforming it to your own spa-like retreat is fun but involves a lot of decisions.

A bathroom renovation can be one of the most satisfying and value adding improvements you can make to any home.  Getting rid of a dated or worn out bathroom and transforming it to your own spa-like retreat is fun but involves a lot of decisions.  What kind of shower?  What kind of bath?  What style vanity?  What style fixtures or hardware?  And, very importantly, what kind of flooring should you install?  Flooring is a major part of any bathroom because it helps set the tone of the overall room.  Bathroom flooring needs to be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, but because of the type of room it is in, it needs to be durable and able to be around moisture.

Stone tile flooring is one of the first options many people consider when choosing flooring for their bathroom.  Stone tile that has been specifically designed to be used for flooring is designed differently than tile designed for the wall.  Stone floor tile will have a bit more texture and is designed this way to prevent slipping from happening, especially in bathrooms where flooring has a higher potential to be wet.  Limestone, marble, granite and slate are some natural stone flooring options for the bathroom and they come in a variety of textures so that you can reduce the risk of slipping.  Natural stone flooring is a beautiful option but it is higher maintenance than some other flooring options.  Natural stone floors need regular cleaning and sealing to look their best.

In addition to stone flooring, porcelain and ceramic tile are great options for the bathroom.  These types of flooring are very durable, easy to clean and moisture resistant because they are non-porous.  Ceramic tiles are slightly less durable than porcelain and porcelain tiles have many layers of color so that when chipped they still look nice.  Tile can be cold, especially in a bathroom, but it can be installed with radiant heat underneath to maximize comfort.

Another option for bathroom flooring is vinyl.  Vinyl flooring is very popular for bathroom flooring because it is very practical and durable.  Vinyl flooring is budget friendly because it is one of the most inexpensive flooring options.  Additionally, today’s tile flooring is not like the frightening vinyl flooring of the past, vinyl flooring now has many aesthetically appealing options.

Some may also consider wood flooring as an option.  Wood flooring is certainly beautiful but it is a gamble for a homeowner because of how much moisture a bathroom typically experiences.  Wood flooring is probably best suited for a powder room but perhaps not for a master bathroom. Laminate wood flooring may actually be a better option than hardwood for bathrooms because it is more durable and less susceptible to water damage on the surface.  With so many exciting options in flooring any homeowner, with any budget and any design aesthetic can achieve the beautiful bathroom makeover they have always wanted with the perfect flooring to suit the room.