What You Should Know About Bathroom Floor Materials

There are many options for materials when it comes to remodeling your bathroom. Each of these materials has different costs and very different features. Take a look below to see the different advantages and disadvantages to help narrow your decision.

Tile. This is by far the most popular choice of material for the bathroom floor. It is known for being durable, water resistant and for the most part a good value for the money. Of the different types of tile, ceramic is most common but glass is starting to grow in popularity. Glass would be considered a more “green” choice since it is made mostly from recycled materials. A textured tile will help avoid a slippery situation.

Stone. Stone is a beautiful choice. As with tile it is durable and water resistant. Most stone is made smooth so it’s best to find a textured or unpolished stone (which require a periodic re-sealant). This would be the most expensive, but probably best looking option.

Vinyl. There are many different colors for vinyl and it is offered in sheet or tile form. This is the least expensive choice and is a great material for a do-it-yourself installation. Self-stick vinyl tiles may be easy to install, but the seams in between them are sometimes susceptible to moisture issues.

Laminate Flooring. Laminate is made up of a combination of resin-impregnated paper and wood chips. The top layer is a picture of whichever surface you’d like it to be including stone, slate, or wood stains of any color. Laminates are very water resistant and are often guaranteed for up to 30 years. The only downfall would be that if water does somehow get in, you’ll need to tear up and replace the entire floor.

Hardwood. Hardwood is another great choice for bathroom flooring but it needs to be treated with additional layers of polyurethane. Engineered wood is a lower maintenance option. Since it is created by real wood on top of a plywood base, the engineered wood is more moisture-resistant than real hardwood or laminate.

Bamboo. If you like the idea of going green and having the hardwood look, bamboo is the perfect choice for you. It is durable, attractive, and naturally mold resistant. Bamboo is also a great material for self installation. It’s not as hard as oak so it’s more sensitive to denting or damage from heavy objects.

Cork. Another great choice to go green is cork which is growing in popularity. Cork is soft and has a warm feeling under your feet. The material is both water and mildew resistant. Like bamboo, it is a softer material. Sun exposure can also cause discoloration.

There are many features and attributes for each material. For a long term investment such as a bathroom floor it would be wise to do your research and determine the best type of material for you.