When people think of bathroom flooring, tile is typically the first option that comes to mind. It creates a classic look that’s water-resistant and easy to clean. To install radiant floor heating in their houses, homeowners can choose ceramic and porcelain tiles. Other options include natural stone and engineered wood, though they can be more expensive.
Water Resistant
The bathroom sees a lot of moisture daily, and the flooring needs to be waterproof, or it can experience damage. Moisture trapping can lead to buckling, swelling, and mold buildup. Carpet can be especially problematic, as it often soaks up water molecules and odors, making them trapped within the fibers. Even hardwood can swell when exposed to moisture.
These days, vinyl comes in various colors and styles, making it one of the most excellent bathroom flooring options. You can find sheet vinyl, vinyl planks that mimic the look of wood or stone, and more. Another option for a bathroom is concrete, which has a nonporous surface that can withstand messes and moisture. However, it requires a considerable time and money to mix, pour, and cure and may not be as warm as other floor types.
Easy to Clean
Invest in bathroom flooring in Ramsey, NJ, that’s easy to clean to reduce your cleaning workload and maintain a healthy home. Most materials are nonporous, which means water and messes cannot penetrate the surface. It makes a hard floor type, like tile, a great choice. Tile comes in many styles and can give your bathroom a rich, waterproof, and durable texture. Glazed terra-cotta tile is a popular, affordable option with several color options. For a more natural look, consider stone. Stone floors add value and create a warm, rustic feel to your space. Luxury vinyl plank and (LVT) floors that look like hardwood are other high-end choices that are affordable and easier to install than natural wood. They’re also more moisture-resistant than a solid wood floor. The only drawback of LVP/LVT is that it can be cold to the touch, but this can easily be remedied with underfloor heating.
Durable
In most rooms, choosing flooring comes down to appearance and comfort. But the bathroom is different–it’s a room where durability matters, too. Moisture will ruin any flooring that isn’t built to withstand it. The carpet is a no-go in the bathroom. All that moisture and steam will cause mold and mildew to grow, which is terrible for your health and can rot the subfloor.
The tile looks great and is available in various colors and styles to express your inner interior design. But it can be cold underfoot unless installed with radiant floor heating. Waterproof laminate is another option. It uses an SPC-based core beneath a natural hardwood veneer, which makes it completely waterproof. It’s also durable and can resist indentations from heavy furniture. There are even new advances in waterproof wood-like floors that can be sanded and refinished just like solid hardwood.
Affordable
Choosing a bathroom flooring material comes down to balancing performance, durability, appearance, and cost. While tile is the most popular option for bathrooms, a variety of other options can provide the look you desire at a price point that fits your budget. Vinyl is a popular option that can mimic the look of tile or wood and has good moisture resistance. Laminate is another budget-friendly choice that can imitate the look of hardwood and is even more moisture-resistant than vinyl. Traditional hardwood is a poor choice for the bathroom as it swells or buckles in humidity, but engineered hardwood with a plywood base can work well. Alternatively, concrete floors are becoming increasingly popular and can be dyed or stained to achieve your desired look. They also work well with radiant heating and are very durable.
