Review of the best materials for bathroom flooring.

Selection criteria

To ensure that bathroom floors last as long as possible, the materials must meet the following criteria:

• Water resistance. The bathroom flooring should not be damaged by high humidity or by exposure to water.
• Safety. We often walk around the bathroom barefoot, periodically stepping on wet feet – so the flooring should not be slippery.
• Tactility. Again on the issue of bare feet: touching a cold surface is at least unpleasant.

• Hygiene. There is a high probability of mold development in the bathroom – therefore it is advisable to choose easy-to-clean floor coverings that are not prone to mold formation.
• Environmental friendliness. It is unlikely that anyone wants to live in an apartment with finishing that emits toxic substances.

It is worth noting two more indicators: cost and durability. They are not fundamental for everyone, but the ability to lay floors for many years without spending a lot of money is a nice bonus during a bathroom renovation.

TOP 8 best materials

For finishing the floor in the bathroom, 8 options are best suited, which we suggest considering in more detail.

Tiles or porcelain tiles

Ceramic tiles and their “older brother” – porcelain tiles, are already a kind of classic in bathroom decoration. The decision in favor of choosing tiles is made due to a large number of advantages and fixable disadvantages of this material:

The photo shows laying marble tiles in a checkerboard pattern

Cork floor

The original floor covering is cork! The base for production is obtained from the bark of the cork tree – while they do not suffer at all and can restore the bark in just 7-9 years. Advantages and disadvantages:

Self-leveling floor

Self-leveling floor is significantly different from the two previous ones. The “laying” process is similar to pouring concrete mortar, but the result is not a rough surface, but a finished one. The compositions can be epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane.

The photo shows an example of a 3D floor with a pattern

Linoleum

Many people think that roll flooring is not quite suitable for bathrooms, but this is not entirely true.

Rubber flooring

Modern floors in the bathroom can also be rubber. The new product on the market has practically no disadvantages, except for an unpleasant smell – but it is found only in low-quality products. Otherwise, there are only advantages:

• rubber does not let water through;
• easy to clean;
• tiles are easy to lay;
• it is pleasant to walk barefoot on the rubber surface.

The photo shows colored rubber flooring in a bathroom

Vinyl tiles

An alternative to two materials at the same time: tiles and laminate. Unlike the first, it is pleasant to the touch, vinyl is often laid without heating. The advantage over laminate is moisture resistance. PVC does not swell from water, because the base is not pressed wood or paper, but quartz vinyl.

The only disadvantage of vinyl tiles is the high price. For the same square footage you will have to pay 20-30% more money than for tiles or laminate.

Waterproof laminate

Due to hydrophobia, regular laminate is not used in bathrooms – even models with water impregnation will not withstand constant exposure to high humidity and temperature changes for more than a couple of years.

PVC-based laminate is a different matter. It is not afraid of water, but has one serious drawback – the chemical substance polyvinyl chloride can release toxic substances when heated.

Wooden floor

The most controversial option for wet rooms is natural wood. On the one hand, it is 100% environmentally friendly. On the other hand, it is intolerant to dampness, as well as “lively”. The boards can bend, swell, shrink, rot from the outside and from the inside.

By choosing natural wood, you get an environmentally friendly, safe, warm floor. But be prepared for the need for regular maintenance: once every 6-12 months the surface is carefully treated with impregnations and here the environmental friendliness decreases.

Recommendations for choosing a color

The color is chosen according to 2 principles: combination with the walls and practicality. In both characteristics, neutral shades (beige, gray) or universal wood texture win.

Too light, as well as too dark – a controversial decision. On the one hand, it looks stylish. On the other hand, it is impractical to maintain.

The option of color solutions is worth considering if you want to make an accent: multi-colored tiles or tiles with oriental motifs are in trend.

In the photo, the emphasis is on the floor and inserts are on the wall and screen

What to put on the floor?

If, after laying a floor without heating, you suddenly find that it is uncomfortable to stand on it with bare feet, rugs will come to the rescue!

Models with a rubberized base will not let water through to the floor covering, but they can “die out”. Options without backings dry faster, but “share” moisture with the space underneath them, so it’s better not to use them on wood, for example.

Wooden or bamboo flooring deserves special attention: it is comfortable to stand on them with bare feet after a bath or shower. In addition, they are easy to care for – no washing or dry cleaning.

Beautiful examples in the interior

Finishing options are not limited to the popular eight: in addition to standard tiles, you can use, for example, natural pebbles. It looks stylish, and walking on the uneven surface has a massage effect.

If you are looking for a way to perfectly match the walls, try the same tile for both surfaces.

It is advisable to glue the floor tiles to the walls, and not vice versa – wall tiles are more fragile.

The last original solution is perimeter lighting. Keep in mind that this will require keeping the room absolutely clean. But thanks to its originality, this solution can become the highlight of the interior.

All materials have their pros and cons: decide what is more important to you and choose them for yourself.