January 31, 2022

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The bathroom is going to be a water-heavy environment with steam being ever-present at least twice a day. It is ideal to opt for a bathroom flooring that can withstand humidity and moisture, while being easy to maintain and not have the danger of slipping. As homeowners, be it an apartment or house, we would want our bathrooms to have a balance of practicality, safety and aesthetics but you might be wondering: which flooring option would give me both? Well, this article is going to take you through your best options!

What do you need to consider?

Bathrooms are one of the most frequently visited rooms in the entire house. Before you start looking at the available flooring solutions, let us run through some key factors  you would need to consider:

  • Budget
  • Design style & functionality
  • Plumbing fixtures 
  • Value
  • Maintenance

Ultimately, you would want to have a very durable and resilient floor but also achieve an aesthetically pleasing outlook. Who’s to say you can’t achieve both?

What flooring solutions are available?

There are multiple options of bathroom floor choices for you to consider that best fits your ideal bathroom interior. From classic bathroom floor tiles to vinyl floorboards (also known as luxury vinyl planks), the possibilities are endless! However, as amazing options can be, it can get overwhelming. So let’s break them down.

Ceramic Tiles

This classic option is still one of the best options when it comes to bathroom flooring. They come in limitless styles, shapes and sizes while fulfilling the criteria of a clean, waterproof and stain-resistant flooring option. However, like all flooring solutions, they do require maintenance overtime which can make them difficult to clean. An alternative would be to opt for slate-grey coloured or patterned tiles to help hide little imperfections until you have the time to clean!

ProsCons
Easy to maintainCan be cold
ColdHard underfoot
VarietyHeavy
WaterproofTime consuming to install

Sheet Vinyl

While stone or ceramic tiles have been the conventional option, sheet vinyl is a highly affordable alternative for a lower cost. They are incredibly durable and water-resistant with various styles to choose from, making them both a stylish and practical option. Sheet vinyl is easily installed without any seams which reduces the chances of water seeping in or out through cracks and grout, reducing chances of slip-and-fall accidents Additionally, sheet vinyl requires low-maintenance when it comes to cleaning and hygiene. 

ProsCons
Water-resistantDifficult to repair
Stain-resistantDiscolouration 
Affordable Possible damage from subfloor
Low maintenance

Cork & Bamboo Flooring

An environmentally friendlier and sustainable option would be to look at cork and bamboo flooring. Resistant to mould, mildew and water damage, cork is a renewable source which proves to also be a practical choice for high-moisture environments. With bamboo, not only is it another sustainable flooring solution but also adds a pleasing, natural look and feel to your bathroom. Although most would think that sustainable lifestyles may be expensive, these budget-friendly flooring solutions would prove otherwise.

ProsCons
RenewableNot all planks are created equal, resulting in weaker products
Eco-friendlyBinders used can emit toxic chemicals overtime
AestheticsEasily prone to wear-and-tear
Budget-friendly

Waterproof Laminate Flooring

Scoring high in durability, water-proofing, and stain-resistant while being highly affordable, laminate flooring has been the ultimate choice for bathroom flooring. Similarly to engineered vinyl flooring (EVP), laminate flooring clicks together like puzzle pieces making it easy to install with low maintenance.

ProsCons
WaterproofCan be unnatural looking
DurableNoisy underfoot
VarietyEmits toxic chemicals overtime
Low maintenance

Porcelain & Ceramics

Many get confused as to what porcelain and ceramics are, often confusing them as the same material. To a certain extent, yes. Both porcelain and ceramics are made from baking clay but there are subtle differences. Porcelain tiles are denser and heavier, scoring high in water-proofing while ceramics are more porous and softer, making it easier to cut and install. In the end, porcelain and ceramics are timeless flooring solutions that are durable, waterproof and resilient.

ProsCons
AffordableCold
VersatileHeavy
Easy to cleanTime consuming to install
Impervious to water & stains

Natural Stones Tiles

For many homeowners, these timeless tiles will undeniably add character to your bathroom interior. Since ancient times, stones or marble materials symbolise wealth and stability as only the wealthiest families or government entities would have such materials used in their buildings. Although times have changed, natural stone tiles still retain that royal charisma.

ProsCons
Aesthetically pleasingExpensive
High resale valueBrittle; breaks easily
VarietyPorous 
Uses natural resources Cold

Terrazzo Tiles

These beautiful, natural tiles will undeniably add elegance and character to your bathroom, lasting for decades to come. With proper sealing before and after installation, these bathroom tiles will be impervious to water and stain damage. It also withstands high traffic areas which could be a good option for the guest bathrooms.

ProsCons
Durability High initial cost
Environmentally-friendlyCan get slippery
VarietyPorous 
VersatileCold


Engineered Timber

Generally, solid wood or timber is not advisable in bathrooms as they can be destroyed by water in no time! If you wish to achieve a natural wood finish that can withstand the perils of the bathroom, engineered timber or wood flooring is an option to consider.

ProsCons
Authentic look & feelNot all can be refinished
Sustainable productionProne to fading, scratches and dents
VarietyNot 100% waterproof
Cost saving

Who can help you?

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, don’t fret! Here at Jupps Flooring, we have flooring experts ready to consult you on your bathroom flooring needs. Just give us a call or email us here. We’d be more than happy to provide you with the necessary insights to help transform your flooring space to the best of our abilities.