The best bathroom flooring
Your bathroom is subjected to conditions that are very different to the rest of your home, so the materials you use in it will need to work well in these conditions. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when renovating a bathroom is the flooring.
Your bathroom flooring needs to be able to handle moisture without being slippery when wet, and it should be comfortable to walk on with bare feet. You’ll also want something that’s easy to clean whilst looking good and matching the rest of your space. There’s a lot to consider, so let’s take a look at the best bathroom flooring options available.
When choosing bathroom flooring, vinyl is a cost-effective, waterproof, and easy-to-install option, offering styles like wood or tile effect with minimal maintenance and high durability.
For a more authentic wood look, moisture-resistant laminate provides the appearance of wood without the risk of water damage.
Tiles, both ceramic and porcelain, are the most waterproof and durable bathroom flooring option, ideal for wet rooms. Although these can prove to be cold underfoot without heating.
Vinyl bathroom flooring
Vinyl is one of the most reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-install options when it comes to bathroom flooring. It’s waterproof, so it can withstand splashes, spills, and humid conditions without warping or getting damaged.
One of the main advantages of vinyl is that it’s available in large rolls, so you can lay your floor without creating loads of seams that could end up being a problem when it comes to waterproofing.
It’s also really easy to clean, so you can prevent any mould from building up. If you’re worried about mould developing across the rest of your bathroom, check out the best anti-mould paint for your home.
When it comes to the look of your bathroom floor, vinyl flooring is available in a variety of styles, including wood effect, stone effect, and tile-look. The great thing about achieving these looks with vinyl is that the installation process is so much easier.
Luxury vinyl flooring
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT) is available in planks and tiles which gives you a more authentic look and feel, especially if you’re aiming for a wood-effect or tile-look floor. This will have seams between the tiles, but this is less of a problem as both sides of the tile are water-resistant. You can also get some luxury vinyl flooring that is compact and clicks together, preventing water from seeping through the seams anyway.
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Waterproof laminate flooring
Standard laminate flooring isn’t recommended for bathrooms as it’s made from wood which will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity levels. This is why moisture-resistant or waterproof laminate is a great option for bathrooms as it gives you the look and feel of wooden flooring without the risk of it being damaged by water and high humidity.
Regardless of what flooring you choose, ensuring that your bathroom floor is moisture-resistant is vital for keeping your home safe and slip-free.
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Bathroom floor tiles
Tiles are a classic option for bathrooms, and this isn’t just because of how they look. A tiled floor is the most waterproof option, making it the best choice for wet rooms and showers.
It’s also incredibly durable, standing up well to heavy furniture, scratches, and bumps, and often lasting for decades. You can get them in different levels of slip-resistance, with more textured options being perfect for people with mobility issues as they give you a better grip when the floor is wet. They’re also perfect when it comes to keeping your bathroom clean as they’re stain resistant and easy to wipe clean.
If you’re looking at installing a tiled floor, you’ve got two options to choose from:
Porcelain tiles: the most durable tile material, porcelain is great for a bathroom that gets a lot of use as it can stand up to heavy footfall for longer. It’s also an incredibly waterproof option as it has a very low moisture absorption rate, making it great for wet rooms.
Ceramic tiles: while not quite as durable as porcelain, ceramic tiles are still incredibly tough. They’re also one of the most waterproof bathroom flooring options, but they’re slightly more porous than porcelain. Where ceramic does have the advantage is in its price and installation. Ceramic is cheaper than porcelain, much more lightweight, and easier to cut, lowering the installation and shipping costs too.
One possible disadvantage with tiling is that it can be cold to the touch in the winter months, not ideal for a room where you spend a lot of time barefoot. This can be fixed with underfloor heating, which is an efficient way to keep your bathroom feeling warm and toasty even in the winter.
Tiling may seem like a daunting DIY task, but it’s actually easier than you might think. Check out our guide on how to tile a bathroom floor to find out more.
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While installing flooring in your bathroom does come with a few challenges, there are loads of options out there that can help you achieve the look you want in durable, waterproof ways.
Vinyl and moisture-resistant laminate can help you to achieve a warm, wood-effect floor without the issues that hardwood flooring would bring. Or if you want the traditional, most hardwearing option, porcelain and ceramic tiles will give you a sleek, sophisticated look.
For more bathroom inspiration, check out our bathroom ideas and advice page.
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