One of the most common rooms used, frequented, lived-in, and relied upon in a house aside from the kitchen is the bathroom. So, given how much time one spends there, it should be pretty comfortable in design. However, with most homes, the bathroom often gets a secondary thought as most of the attention moving tends to be on the visible rooms first seen like the family area, entrance room, kitchen, and backyard. On the other hand, once someone starts living in the home, the bathroom becomes essential and visible in terms of what kind of upgrades might be needed next to make it better. Flooring is a great way to overhaul a bathroom and there are some really good options out there that can make any bathroom pop and stand out with appeal.
At the same time, the flooring needs to be protective. Aside from and probably more than the kitchen, the bathroom has a lot of moisture and spilled water in it. And that can produce a lot of damage very quickly if the flooring is not water-resistant. There are a number of choices people often choose because they are more comfortable. However, if moisture is not considered, these alternatives can produce a costly mess. So, picking the right flooring can make a bathroom last for a longtime and an enjoyable escape or turn it into a headache as well. Below are some of the best bathroom choices for flooring. Remember, your bathroom is supposed to be a place to relax and either get ready for the world or wind down. It shouldn’t be another source of stress.
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Sheet Vinyl
While it is installed in precut large pieces, sheet vinyl comes in multiple patterns and colors with a very low price point and install fee as well as being extremely water resistant. The added benefit is that it installs with almost no seams, which in turn reduces the probability of water penetration to the subfloor. Because of the fabrication of sheet vinyl, water does not penetrate it, instead sitting to be wiped up or evaporating. Sheet vinyl is typically sold in 12-foot-wide units for varying lengths and the edges are closed off with silicone. It’s a perfect flooring solution for a home with kids who like to make a big splashing mess in the bathroom on a regular basis. It also gives a homeowner a vinyl option that doesn’t have a lot of cracks between the seams such as with vinyl tile.
Ceramic Tile Flooring
A classic, traditional choice for the bathroom that goes back centuries, ceramic tile is durable, long-lasting, and very water resistance. In fact, ceramic tile flooring is so reliable, it’s often used in showers and direct water contact basins on a regular basis. The cost for ceramic ranges, depending on the type, style, coloring, and size of the tile used. Mixes of sizes and styles can also cause price fluctuation. The installation is a bit more labor-intensive, so one should expect the install fee to be a bit more as well. Once the tile grouting is in, cured and dried, the result is a flooring that sees little in the way of water penetration and often easy cleanup. Eventually the grouting needs to be cleaned, but this is a minor maintenance job for the most part. Porcelain tile is an upgrade from ceramic, but it’s even more water resistant than the former.
Note that there is a glazed tile option as well. However, this glossy layer isn’t recommended for the bathroom floor as it can be extremely slippery to walk on. Unless one is going to use area rugs for the actual foot traffic, it’s not a good idea in terms of safety, especially when wet. Alternatively, one could go for smaller tile sizes, which gives more traction.
Water-Resistant Wood: Cork
Wood flooring is not frequently thought of as a bathroom flooring choice, but cork is the exception. It is naturally waterproof, a completely different choice from vinyl or ceramic or stone, and it can be textured which reduced the slip safety factor. Most cork flooring comes in planks versus tiles or squares, so it has a very different bathroom floor look than the more common choices above. However, because of the planking, cork also involves a lot of edges and seams. This can be a bit of a problem in areas with a lot of water splash. The approach to cut down this issue is to install the cork in raw form and then seal the entire floor which soaks in between the seams and creates a protective layer on the wood and edges. Cork will eventually wear down as it is natural, so resealing is usually needed every few years.
Linoleum
Moisture proof on the actual layer itself, linoleum is a combination of natural flooring material and chemical production, but most of it is made up of cork and linseed. It’s a natural material choice alternative for those who don’t want to use synthetic flooring. However, while it resists water, it should not be exposed to sitting liquid for a long time, otherwise the flooring will stain. Linoleum can be applied in sheets or tiles, depending on the need, but it should also be chosen with a protective surface coating to resist scuffing and scratching.
Stone Flooring
On the luxury side of things, classic stone tiles and sheets are a great look and often give a very premium finish for a well-done bathroom. However, the price point on stone flooring can be much higher than other choices. Stone options will include a wide range of choices from the classic marble look to travertine, limestone, and even polished granite. Slate is a common flooring pick for those looking to save a bit of money but still install stone. There are softer choices as well, like sandstone and limestone, but these often need more maintenance a few years later. High quality hard stone like granite will last up to five years before maintenance is needed with a resealing.
Stained Concrete
Finally, some homes have the bathroom on the bottom floor, which means it’s on a concrete foundation, usually. In these cases, the concrete can be the primary floor and stained with a unique and appealing finish. The concrete will need to be sealed, but a stained approach can produce some amazing coloring and texture. Foundation concrete may need patching work as well if there has been cracking. Normally, this is unknown and not an issue as a flooring level sits on the foundation itself. However, when exposed, homeowners might be surprised how much work is needed for a stained concrete look as a result.
Do You Need the Help of a Professional Flooring Installer for Your Bathroom Renovation? Contact our Team at S & R Carpet & Floors Today
S & R Carpet & Floors provides one of the most experienced services for flooring and flooring renovation. Our teams also have access to some of the widest and most varied flooring choices available as well. With personal experience going back almost five decades in the flooring business, S & R Carpet & Floors remains one of the best picks for flooring installation help as well as product selection. Give us a call or email today to get started on your home project.
