Bathroom Flooring
When you are updating or renovating your bathroom, there are a few ways you can go about it. You can choose to update everything in the space, or you can choose to make a few changes that will have a big impact. One of these changes is to update your bathroom flooring. There are many bathroom flooring ideas out there now days which gives you the ability to choose from more styles, colours and shapes then ever before.
There are a few important factors that you should consider before you choose a new flooring material. Flooring that is going to be used in your bathroom will need to be more waterproof than flooring used in other parts of the home, because of the excess moisture in your bathroom space. Also, you will want flooring that is comfortable on your feet, as you will likely be barefoot in the bathroom a lot– for instance, when you are getting in and out of the shower.
Take a look below for a rundown of some of the different bathroom flooring options out there to choose from!
Types of Bathroom Flooring
There are many different flooring options that you can use in your bathroom, and all of them have their own unique set of characteristics. You will have to weigh these characteristics against your needs to find the best fit for your bathroom remodel.
Below, we discuss some of these different types of flooring and their unique features– keep reading to find out more and to find the perfect flooring option for your bathroom project!
Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles
Tile is one of the more common bathroom flooring options. You will see it in many different bathrooms, and it is entirely possible that your bathroom is already floored with tile! Tile can be either ceramic or porcelain, and comes in many different colours, shapes, and finishes. This makes it easy to match the flooring to the aesthetic and colour palette of your space.
Ceramic flooring tile is made from natural clay, mixed with sediments. These tiles can be very susceptible to water in their raw form, which is a no go for bathrooms, due to the moisture of a typical bathroom space. You will want to opt for water resistant flooring. Luckily, glazed ceramic tiles are coated in a melted glass coating that makes them resistant to both water and stains. It also makes it easy for manufacturers to print them with many different colours and patterns. This is the type of flooring that you will want to go with– a glazed ceramic tile option. Ceramic and porcelain can come in smaller tiles which is a popular choice for some when choosing their tile flooring as it offers versatility.
When it comes to price, tile is one of the more expensive flooring options on the market. Choosing a stock tile can help you to save money if you are still set on using tile, but going with custom tiles can cost much more. It is also important to note that most of the time, tile will require professional installation.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete is not a flooring option that may come to mind when you are thinking of redoing your bathroom space. However, it is gaining popularity, especially in homes that lean towards an artsy or modern style. Poured concrete can also be stamped with different patterns and can mimic the appearance of other materials, such as stone or tile.
One of the great perks of concrete is that it can be pretty affordable, especially when compared to some of the other bathroom flooring option out there, like tile. However, concrete is a porous material. It will need to be treated and sealed properly with a sealing agent so that it does not stain and water cannot penetrate the surface. Water penetration can lead to cracks and other related issues or damage. Once it is treated, though, the concrete flooring is able to be taken care of very easily– you can sweep it clean or use a damp mop with relative ease.
A perk of concrete is that you don’t have the downside of cleaning grout that is in between bathroom tile. The smaller your tile flooring is the more grout you will have to clean, which makes concrete the best flooring option for cleaning.
Another perk of concrete flooring is that you may already have a concrete floor under your existing flooring. This can then be patched up, sealed, and then turned into a great poured concrete floor to accent your space.
Linoleum
Linoleum is an older flooring method, and is not quite as popular these days. That being said, it is still a viable bathroom flooring option! Linoleum was largely replaced by vinyl flooring, but it is now making a bit of a resurgence. This is because of its eco-conscious nature. You may not know this, but linoleum is actually made from linseed oil!
There are a few things to consider when thinking of installing linoleum in your bathroom. It does have a lot of the same features as vinyl– hence why vinyl was able to successfully replace it for so long. It may also emit an unpleasant odour for a few weeks after installation. This is an important consideration if your bathroom has poor ventilation.
When it comes to being waterproof, linoleum is fairly water resistant. You should consider using sheet forms without seams, though, to keep your flooring as watertight as possible and avoid issues such as warping, which may occur if water were to get underneath the linoleum.
Standard Vinyl Flooring
There are two major vinyl flooring options– standard vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl flooring. First, we are going to go over standard vinyl flooring. Vinyl is a great option because it is durable, easy to install, and resistant to damage such as stains and water. Even better, it is also inexpensive! Vinyl flooring can also come printed with many different patterns or colours, and can be made to imitate certain other materials, such as hardwood. This makes it easy for vinyl flooring to work with a number of different design styles or aesthetics.
Standard vinyl flooring can come in either sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles. Sheet vinyl can be glued down in a single sheet in your bathroom, while vinyl tile comes in smaller segments and must be glued down in pieces to cover the whole bathroom floor. Sheet vinyl is the preferable option here, as there are no– or at the very least, fewer– seams. This way, water is not able to seep through the seams.
Some of the drawbacks to vinyl, though, include the fact that some of the more low quality materials that make it cost effective can be unhealthy or even toxic. They often linger in the air for a while after installation, especially when the vinyl flooring is installed with a full spread adhesive. Vinyl flooring is also not as long term of an option as some of the other flooring materials on this list. It typically only lasts about 10 years when properly maintained.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Here, we will talk about luxury vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is similar to standard vinyl flooring, but is a step up in quality. This kind of vinyl flooring is a thicker form of semi rigid vinyl. It comes in planks that are assembled in a “click lock” tongue and groove system. However, since there are seams between these planks, water can get in and infiltrate to the subfloor. That being said, the flooring itself as waterproof.
Like standard vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl flooring can be made to imitate many different materials– meaning that the design possibilities are endless! Some of the more popular options are vinyl flooring that looks like stone, natural wood, or ceramics. It is also a flooring option that is fairly easy to install– as it can be made to look like other types of flooring, it can give you the look of another material, like wood for example but with more ease of installation. This makes it a great choice for those who want to DIY their bathroom remodel!
Bamboo
Bamboo can be a gorgeous flooring option for other areas of the home, and the bathroom is on exception! It is a great choice for those who are going for a natural, zen like approach to their bathroom design, and bamboo is also on trend. This is because natural spaces and “bringing the outdoors indoors” is a big trend in the interior design space these days. Bamboo flooring can also come in many different colour variations, so it can match different design aesthetics and your bathroom’s existing colour palette.
When choosing bamboo flooring, you can either opt for regular, natural bamboo flooring or engineered bamboo flooring. It is best to go with the engineered bamboo flooring option in a bathroom, because the engineered planks are specifically designed to be installed in wetter environments. This means that your flooring will not be affected by moisture and will not be as affected by stains.
Bamboo flooring is also fairly easy to install. Depending on your skill level, this is something that you could be able to install on your own without hiring a professional. It’s also easy to replace planks if they become broken or damaged down the road, without having to replace your entire bathroom floor. However, it is also important to note, when you are making your decision, that bamboo flooring may scratch or wear easier than some of the other flooring options available.
How to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger with Flooring
If you have a small bathroom space to work with, such as a half bath or powder room, there are some smart ways that you can utilize your flooring choice to make the space appear bigger. Using large format tiles or another large format flooring material can help to trick the eye into believing that your bathroom space is larger than it is. To do this, you can also opt for flooring with a horizontal pattern, which helps by widening the floor space. It also makes the room seem less cramped.
Another way to do this is through colour. Light, bright flooring colours will help to bounce light around the room and open up the space. Darker colours often make a space feel smaller or more claustrophobic, so pay attention to the colours and patterns of your flooring as well. Pale tiles or a marble effect can help to lighten and brighten the space.
How to Make Your Bathroom Look Warmer with Flooring
One of the most powerful ways to make your bathroom look warmer is to choose the right flooring. Your colour choices are key. You can opt for flooring– such as tile– in bright, bold colours like mustard or gold to make the space appear warmer.
Warm earth tones are also great choices to warm up your bathroom space, and they are even on trend for this year, too. Shades such as ochre, olive, rust, or terra cotta are all colours that can infuse your bathroom with style and warmth.
Upgrading your bathroom? Check out our blog on Bathroom Upgrades that you can implement, ranging from minimal work and cost to larger budgets, too.
If you are selling your home and considering upgrading your bathroom check out our blog on Should I Update My Bathroom Before Selling
At Bedrock Construction we specialize in bathroom renovations and upgrades. If you’re considering a bathroom renovation get in touch with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best option for bathroom flooring?
When it comes to bathroom flooring, there are a few things to look out for. You should look for waterproof flooring that fits the aesthetics of your space, and is cost effective. Some of the best bathroom flooring options are ceramic or porcelain tile. These materials are fairly inexpensive, but can still appear luxurious and expensive. They are also waterproof flooring!
What is the easiest bathroom flooring to install?
One of the things that you should consider when choosing a bathroom flooring material is how easy this particular material is to install. Vinyl flooring is one of the easiest of these flooring options to install. Other options that are easy to install include water resistant laminate flooring and rigid core engineered wood. These are the best flooring options that are easiest to install.
What can I use on bathroom floor instead of tiles?
If you don’t want to use tile on your bathroom floor, there are plenty of other flooring options to consider! These include bamboo, laminate, vinyl, and engineered hardwood. When choosing which material is best for your bathroom, you should also consider factors such as style, durability, and waterproofing.
Is vinyl plank flooring OK for bathrooms?
Vinyl plank flooring is a viable option for bathroom flooring. It can be a great alternative to more expensive materials such as stone, tile, or wood. Vinyl flooring possesses some of the features that are important for bathroom flooring– it is water resistant, comfortable for your feet, and inexpensive, too, which makes it a best choice when choosing bathroom flooring.