Updating or replacing any floor can be expensive, so it’s best to be sure you’ve made the right decision! These days there are lots of options available, from traditional to high tech. Obviously any flooring used in a bathroom needs to be resistant to moisture, easy to clean and reasonably non-slip as well as looking good. We’ve rounded up a choice of options with pros and cons to help you get the look you want.
1. Porcelain flooring
Porcelain is a popular choice for bathrooms. It’s non-porous so won’t hold moisture, and there’s a vast array of choice in terms of size, pattern and colour. If you’d like a traditional wood floor in your bathroom but you’re worried about it warping, then you could consider wood-effect porcelain tiles – they look surprisingly realistic and are low maintenance.
The main ‘pro’ is their robustness – they’re stain resistant, tough and easy to clean. The main ‘con’ is that they can be cold to stand on. They’re compatible with underfloor heating which would address this, or you could put a few rugs down in strategic places.
2. Wood flooring
Natural wood flooring is a slightly problematic choice for bathrooms as most wood doesn’t cope well with getting wet and can rot or warp leaving gaps. However, you do have the choice of engineered wood. This looks like ‘normal’ wood, but it’s actually a sandwich made from layers of hardwood and ply so it’s strong and robust.
Pros: a wooden floor adds natural texture to your room, and can add warmth and colour to what can be a bit of a functional space. It’s a softer, warmer surface to stand on and minor damage can be removed with sanding.
Cons: However it’s made, wood is still wood. Although engineered wood is resistant to water, it’s not impervious. Standing water on the floor will eventually get through the seal and damage the floor, so take care to wipe up pools of water immediate.
3. Ceramic tiles
Cheaper than porcelain but still versatile, ceramic is a great choice for the budget-conscious bathroom. Ceramic tiles are more porous than porcelain so they’re more at risk of being chipped, but they’re still pretty tough.
Pros: versatile, easy to clean and compatible with underfloor heating.
Cons: If they get chipped they can’t be repaired (although if you keep a couple of spare tiles they can be replaced), and they’re cold underfoot
4. Natural stone
Natural stone is a broad category including travertine, marble, slate and more. Any type of natural stone looks good and adds a luxurious feel to any bathroom, but it is one of the more expensive options. It’s a heavy material, so any type of natural stone flooring will need a sturdy foundation to support it.
Pros: looks great, and as it’s a natural material your floor won’t be quite like anyone elses.
Cons: natural stone is porous, so vulnerable to stains, chips and scratches. It will have to be regularly re-sealed to keep it looking its best, and it can be slippery in wet conditions.
5. Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)
If you want a no-fuss, pocket friendly option then LVT are the choice for you. They’re not really tiles at all, but are made up of lots of thin layers of vinyl. They can come in tile shapes, mimicking ceramic, or plank shapes mimicking wood.
Pros: tend to be less expensive. They’re thinner than options such as wood or porcelain, so a good option if you have limited clearance. They’re also warm underfoot and have good sound insulation properties.
Cons. Although LVT are tough, they’re not as durable as porcelain. They may eventually fade or get marked with lots or wear.
All images (c) Pixabay
1
Leave a Reply