Bathroom Flooring Options – Advantages And Disadvantages

Boris Dzhingarov

Bathroom Flooring Options – Advantages And Disadvantages

bathroom design, bathroom flooring, design tips, flooring tips

Bathroom flooring is particularly important since a lot of stress affects it. Flooring in this room needs to handle moisture, be really easy to clean, look beautiful and be kind to you if you go barefoot. This makes choosing bathroom flooring material a little difficult.

Fortunately, there are many options that are available. Obviously, you will need to first think about how robust your flooring has to be and how the bathroom will be used. Then, you need to think about design options. Do you want something striking or something simple? Are you interested in the practical side or want something to wow the guests? In order to help you figure out what works in your bathroom, here are the very best flooring options that you can consider, together with its advantages and disadvantages.

Porcelain Flooring

porcelain flooring

This flooring option is very popular in bathrooms these days. The material is practically a mix of feldspar, clay and quartz. It is very dense and stands out due to its nonporous nature. You can easily choose out of countless textures, colors and sizes so you end up with a luxurious, natural, modern or traditional look. It is even possible for porcelain tiles to mimic some natural materials, including wood.

Advantages:

  • Very tough
  • Scratch-resistant
  • Nonporous
  • Stain-resistant
  • Hygienic
  • Does not need extra sealing
  • Chips become less visible
  • Easy cleaning

Disadvantages:

  • Hard and cold
  • Grout joints can show dirt build ups
  • If the tile chips, it cannot be repaired

Ceramic Flooring

ceramic flooringUsually, ceramic tiles are made out of clay and are glazed on top. They are softer and when compared with porcelain, they are more porous. This means they are cheaper. You can still find countless options when it comes to design and ceramic flooring can mimic different materials.

Advantages:

  • Stain-resistant
  • Durable
  • Low maintenance
  • Easy to cut

Disadvantages:

  • Hard
  • Cold
  • Lower durability than porcelain
  • Chips can be obvious
Also Read:  This Is How to Design a Bathroom You Will Love

Travertine Flooring

Travertine FlooringTravertine is a lesser-known luxurious and natural stone that has a clear high-end look. You can find it in various textures, like sandblasted, tumbled, honed and etched. However, when you use the material for your bathroom, you want a finish that is slip-resistant.

Advantages:

  • Easy to clean
  • You can fill cracks
  • Hard-wearing

Disadvantages:

  • Expensive
  • High maintenance
  • Heavy (this means it requires a subfloor that is strong)
  • Frequent sealing needed
  • Cold
  • Hard

Slate Flooring

slate flooringSlate that is velvety and dark can create a really beautiful base for a bathroom. This is especially the case when referring to white bathrooms. Every tile is unique because of variations in markings and tone. You can choose finishes that are polished or honed.

Advantages:

  • Hard-wearing
  • Easy to clean
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy to fill cracks

Disadvantages:

  • Has to be resealed around every year
  • Hard
  • Susceptible to scratches
  • Requires strong subfloor

Encaustic Cement Flooring

Encaustic Cement flooringIn most cases, encaustic cement flooring features rich colors and beautiful patterns. The tiles have an authentic and handcrafted look, usually made out of mineral pigments that are mixed with cement and pressed with the use of a mold. Just be aware of the fact that cement tiles are highly-porous. A penetrating sealer is needed before you grout.

Advantages:

  • Scratch-resistant
  • Durable
  • Slip-resistant
  • Not likely to crack

Disadvantages:

  • Pricey tiles
  • Color can change over time
  • You have to quickly mop up all spills
  • Lengthy laying process

Marble Flooring

marble flooringWhen you want a truly glamorous bathroom, marble might be the option you want. It offers a modern luxe and timeless feel to any bathroom. Usually, you want to use large slabs, even if the bathroom is small. This is because you create an illusion of having more space available.

Advantages:

  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to fill cracks
  • Numerous colors and patterns available
  • Every tile is unique
Also Read:  5 Clever Interior Design Tips to Transform Your Home

Disadvantages:

  • Marble is porous
  • Highly susceptible to stains
  • Easy to chip and scratch, even during the installation
  • Frequent sealing needed

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood flooringAs expected, this flooring option offers warmth and a natural look. Tiles are made out of hardwood layers that sandwich a ply layer. Usually, they are very stable in moist environments. You can choose out of different widths, colors, finishes, styles and wood species.

Advantages:

  • The boards look warmer
  • Soft
  • Warm
  • You can refinish and sand several times
  • Easy cleaning

Disadvantages:

  • Water damage should always be considered as a risk
  • Not as beautiful as unfinished, raw wood

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Luxury Vinyl TilesThis is an option that is budget-friendly. LVT can offer the look of tiles, stone or wood. It can also bring in some patterns, like polka dots or geometrics.

Advantages:

  • Stain-resistant
  • Soft
  • Warm
  • Waterproof
  • Durable

Disadvantages:

  • Can fade in time
  • Can scratch

Cork Flooring

Cork FlooringCork is a highly underestimated material that was transformed and used ever since we saw it in bathrooms in the seventies. Nowadays, it is available as engineered board, adding the much needed moisture-resistant core for the bathroom. You can also choose out of different looks and colors.

Advantages:

  • High resistance to mildew and mold
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Recyclable
  • Soft
  • Warm
  • Sustainable
  • Durable
  • High sound insulation

Disadvantages:

  • Light-sensitive – can fade when under strong sunlight
  • Unexpectedly expensive
  • Difficult to repair
  • Requires sealing
  • Cannot be used with underfloor heating

Laminate Flooring

Laminate FlooringThis option is one of the most affordable when it comes to bathroom flooring materials. Basically, if the budget is low, laminate can be considered. It is made out of a fiberboard core that is topped with a photo and covered in a transparent, tough layer. This material can mimic wood, ceramic and stone tiles.

Advantages:

  • Moisture-resistant
  • Does not require sealing
  • Numerous color choices available
  • Easy to clean
Also Read:  Decorating Ideas and Themes Using Laminated Flooring

Disadvantages:

  • Layers peel when exposed to moisture and regular wear
  • Cannot be used with most of the modern underfloor heating options

Polished Concrete Flooring

Polished Concrete FlooringPolished concrete offers an edgier, modern look. It is durable and robust while it offers an industrial look. The problem is that it has to be correctly laid. The installation will vary from one home to the next when it comes to cost and quality, all based on what finish you want. The specialist contractor offers the refined result you most likely want.

Advantages:

  • High versatility since you can cast concrete in any shape
  • Get any shade or tint you want
  • Compatible with all underfloor heating
  • Easy to clean
  • Cannot harbor pests

Disadvantages:

  • Can stain
  • Requires frequent sealing
  • Cracks can appear
  • Very heavy

Rubber Flooring

Rubber FlooringRubber is rarely considered in the bathroom but it is modern and sleek. It is softer than concrete and can be bought as tiles. However, what you want is a seamless sheet since it guarantees a waterproof and neat environment. Rubber is often recommended for the families that have younger children.

Advantages:

  • High value
  • Sustainable
  • Durable
  • Available in various color choices
  • Hygienic

Disadvantages:

  • Not mark- or scratch-resistant
  • Harder to repair
  • Fades in sunlight
  • Can be slippery when polished

Final Thoughts

To sum up, there are many different bathroom flooring options that can be considered. Those above are definitely really good and very popular among homeowners from all around the world. However, as already mentioned, there are always advantages and disadvantages that you have to consider in order to make the final choice, the one that is best for your home.

What bathroom flooring did you opt for? We would love to hear from you. Please tell us why you made the choice too.