The best bathroom flooring ideas 2024. Here are bathroom flooring options from A to Z with their pros and cons for you to choose the best bathroom flooring!
In the selection of flooring, there are many criteria for the bathroom, unlike other rooms where aesthetics is a priority. The first condition for a bathroom flooring is, of course, that it is resistant to water and moisture. Bathroom surfaces where water is everywhere, from the walls to the floor, need to be absolutely waterproof.
The second important factor affecting your choice is your budget. Bathroom flooring options have a fairly wide price range, depending on their type and quality. First of all, the question you need to answer is; do you live in your own home or in a rental? If you are going to choose bathroom flooring for your own home, a long-lasting material that will increase the sales value of your home will be more profitable in the long run.
In short, when choosing the best flooring for bathroom, you need to consider factors such as durability, cost, ease of installation, maintenance, cleanliness and comfort, as well as your style. With this guide, you’ll easily find the best bathroom flooring ideas that match your interior design style. Here are bathroom floorings 2024 with their pros and cons and some facts you’ll never hear from vendors. 🙂
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Best Bathroom Flooring Ideas 2024
Floor coverings for damp and wet places; It can be used safely in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Floor coverings in this category provide excellent protection against moisture. All materials are 100% waterproof. Here are the best bathroom flooring ideas 2024, along with their advantages and disadvantages:
Porcelain and Ceramic Floor Tiles
Porcelain and ceramic bathroom floor tiles are arguably the best option for bathroom floors, as they are stylish and cost-effective as well as being waterproof. Like stone flooring, porcelain tiles can feel richly textured and solid. It is waterproof like Vinyl and is quite inexpensive. Moreover, there are many different types of ceramic tiles that can mimic more expensive materials such as wood or natural stone.
Porcelain floor coverings are part of the ceramic tile family with a slight difference. Tile types with a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or less are called porcelain. Also, while the composition of the two materials is similar, porcelain is made from more refined clay and fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, making it less porous and more durable.
In terms of design, porcelain and ceramics come in a myriad of sizes, shapes, textures and colors. Therefore, it appeals to different styles. You can also make creative designs using colored grout. And most importantly, bathroom ceramic tiles are easily cleaned and highly resistant to puddles.
As a disadvantage; Like stone veneer, ceramics are also cold. However, radiant heating installation can be laid under the ceramic. If your goal is to have a bathroom with underfloor heating, porcelain and ceramic bathroom tiles are the most popular options. Also, wet tiles are slippery. As a solution, you can use a textured ceramic. Smaller tiles are also less slippery; because more grout is used and grout acts as a non-slip surface. Small mosaic tiles are pre-installed on plastic mesh sheets, so you do not need to place each tile separately.
Tips:
- Using large bathroom tiles for the shower area means fewer joint lines, meaning a cleaner and seamless look. Ideal for modern bathrooms.
- Wood flooring can add a warm feeling to the bathroom, but it is not preferred as a wet floor covering due to its water absorption feature. You can use wood-like bathroom ceramics for a warm and natural look.
- Using the same ceramic tile on the floor and the wall provides visual integrity. This creates a large and spacious feeling for small bathrooms. It also provides a perfect look that is ideal for modern bathrooms.
- Use ceramics with as small joint gaps as possible for easy cleaning.
- Seek help from a professional to install ceramic tiles, especially if the underfloor is uneven.
Pros:
- It is moisture resistant and durable.
- It is easy to maintain and clean.
- There are many styles, shapes and colors available.
- Compatible with radiant heating.
- Resale value is high.
Cons:
- Keeping the joints clean is a bit of a challenge.
- The feeling underfoot is hard and cold.
- It often creates a sterile and cold appearance.
- It is slippery.
Natural Stone Flooring
With its luxurious look and solid structure, natural stone floor coverings are a great choice for the bathroom. However, it is expensive and not completely waterproof. Softer materials like travertine and limestone need to be resurfaced every few years, while harder stones like marble and granite can last up to five years. If you can afford natural stone and do not hesitate to renew the floor once in a while, you can increase the value of your home with natural stone bathroom flooring.
Stone floors, like porcelain and ceramics, can be cold and slippery. The coldness problem can be solved by installing a radiant heating system. The slip problem can be reduced by sandblasting the stone or by choosing a natural textured stone such as slate.
As a result, natural stone bathroom flooring; It is a quality, durable and aesthetically pleasing material. The biggest downside to this flooring option is its high cost. Real stone flooring is by far the most expensive bathroom flooring option.
Tips:
- Standing out with its natural beauty, marble is the easiest way to add a sense of luxury to your bathroom. You can add a high-end look to your bathroom with marble slabs, each of which has different veins and colors.
- The durability of the marble material, which was also preferred by the Romans and ancient Greeks, is indisputable. However, marble, which is more porous than porcelain and other artificial materials, can be stained and scratched. If you are willing to follow a regular maintenance routine, you can enjoy the classic beauty of marble in your bathroom for many years.
- You can create a sense of continuity in your bathroom by applying the natural stone coating of your choice to both the floor and the walls.
- Buy at least 25% more stone tiles than you need and check all tiles before they are installed. The patterns and colors of the tiles can vary greatly. To achieve a similar texture, you may want to match the pieces according to their hues.
Pros:
- It is a hard and durable material.
- Easy to clean.
- It increases the resale value of your home.
Cons:
- It is high cost.
- Some stones can become stained and worn over time. It requires regular maintenance.
- It is difficult to install for those who will do it themselves.
Vinyl Bathroom Flooring
With its beautiful appearance and practical application, vinyl flooring has been among the best bathroom flooring ideas for years. Luxury vinyl wrap-LVT; It has a wide variety of colors and patterns such as wood, natural stone, metal and concrete. This highly durable and low-maintenance material can be in the form of tiles or sheets.
Luxurious vinyl coating (LVT) creates a soft feel underfoot. It stands out among bathroom floor trends as it is easy to clean and compatible with underfloor heating. Moreover, it is cost-effective and easy to install.
The increasingly popular wood-look luxury vinyl siding is approximately 12 inches wide and approximately 120 inches long. Most vinyl flooring is a do-it-yourself job. Because vinyl is so popular, it has thousands of design options.
There are two types of vinyl compositions; wood plastic composite (WPC) and stone plastic composite (SPC). Both are made of a waterproof core. However, WPC is generally preferred because it is thicker, flexible and durable. Laminate flooring, often confused with vinyl flooring, has a wood chip base and can swell by absorbing water.
The disadvantages of vinyl flooring are that bumps or ripples can form after a while. It is also possible to be punctured by a sharp object. And because the material is so cheap, it’s not a very good option for your home’s resale value.
Tips:
- Buy the latest in vinyl bathroom flooring materials. This practical material is water resistant enough to be used in wet areas.
- Vinyl flooring sheet is the best option for bathrooms because it is waterproof as the installation is almost seamless. It is especially ideal for places that get very wet, such as children’s bathrooms or laundry rooms.
- You can use wood-textured LVT to mimic wood flooring. The difference will not be noticeable unless carefully examined up close.
Pros:
- 100% waterproof.
- It is cost effective.
- Its application is easy and fast.
- It is water and fire resistant.
- It has many color and texture alternatives.
- It is easy to replace.
Cons:
- It is harmful to health because it contains harmful chemicals.
- Requires a perfect subfloor for application.
- Over time, wear and fading may occur.
- It usually has low resale value.
- Bumps and voids in the subfloor and floor are reflected in the vinyl surface.
Concrete Floor Covering
We are not used to seeing concrete floors, which are very popular in modern and industrial-looking living spaces, in bathrooms. In fact, properly coated concrete floors are highly resistant to water. In addition, concrete floors can be painted, varnished or stamped to create a modern and stylish look.
The most important advantage of concrete floor covering is that it is completely impermeable to water and has a long life. It is also not expensive to paint or stamp concrete. Considering all these features, concrete can be a cool option for bathrooms like other living spaces.
However, a concrete floor with a smooth surface can be extremely slippery and cold. For this reason, it should be ensured that it is slightly textured to increase friction on the concrete surface.
Tips:
- If you love concrete flooring but live in a cold climate, you can add underfloor heating to reduce the cold feeling of concrete.
- If you want to customize its appearance, you can create a different surface by adding a wide variety of textures to the concrete before it dries.
Pros:
- It is robust and long lasting.
- It is moisture resistant.
- It adds a modern flair to your bathroom.
Cons:
- After pouring on the floor, there is a drying time.
- It is cold and slippery.
- There may be staining on the surface over time, it requires re-polishing.
Alternative Flooring for Bathrooms 2024
Bathroom floors in this category are not made of 100% waterproof materials. However, the upper surface is completely waterproof, and when it is tightly coupled, water can accumulate on the surface for a short time without causing any damage. Here are alternative bathroom flooring ideas 2024 to the above
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood panels are more resistant to high humidity conditions than solid wood. Wood composite panels have a moisture resistant plywood base. In addition, since the upper layer of the panels is real wood, it has the same wooden parquet appearance. If you are looking for the warmth of real wood in your bathroom, composite decking is for you.
But wood products, no matter how well maintained, are prone to damage in bathrooms. Treated wood cannot withstand standing water for long, but the occasional puddle is not a problem.
Deck flooring is more water resistant than laminate flooring as its base is made of solid plywood material. However, since the top layer is hardwood veneer, it is relatively more expensive and prone to damage. While there are some downsides to using decking flooring in a bathroom, it’s definitely a good alternative to solid hardwood, which is extremely susceptible to decay.
Pros:
- It creates the look of real wood in the bathroom.
- It is moisture resistant.
- It has a warm and natural texture.
Cons:
- The top layer is prone to damage.
- Excessive sanding can erode the coating layer.
- It is an expensive option.
Laminate Bathroom Flooring
Like decking, laminate flooring is a better bathroom flooring option than solid wood flooring. Laminate flooring actually consists of resin-impregnated paper over a wood chipboard base. The visible surface is actually a photograph of any wood such as oak, cherry, pine. On top is a clear coating called a wear layer.
Laminate flooring, which does not lose its popularity, creates a warm and classic look in the bathroom. The material is extremely scratch and stain resistant. Laminate flooring can be used in bathrooms if you take precautions to protect the wood floor from moisture. It is difficult for moisture to move down through the boards. Moreover, laminate is easy to clean.
However, if the wood chip base comes into contact with moisture, it swells and requires renovation. It is stated that even laminate flooring sold as water resistant should be wiped immediately when spills and splashes occur. If you’re considering using laminate flooring in your bathroom, remember that a major waterline leak can cause serious and expensive damage.
Tips:
- Choose the laminate flooring with the longest warranty as possible. The warranty period of laminate flooring is usually 10-20 years.
- You may want to put a thin layer of foam under the hardwood for extra support and insulation.
Pros:
- It creates the look of real wood in the bathroom.
- It is easy to install and disassemble.
- It is durable and cost effective.
- There are too many options.
Cons:
- Since it is not made of real wood, it cannot be said to be a quality material.
- If water leaks are not dealt with immediately, significant damage will occur.
- It is slippery.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring, an organic and sustainable material, is completely environmentally friendly. Because it is a plant that grows in water, bamboo flooring is much more resistant to water than wooden flooring. It does not require sanding and polishing like wooden parquets. Moreover, it costs half the price of solid wood parquet.
While not completely waterproof, bamboo flooring has been heavily treated with water-resistant chemicals and resins. One of the best bathroom flooring ideas 2024, treated bamboo is extremely durable compared to solid bamboo and is ideal for wet environments. It is also easy to assemble and damaged parts can be easily replaced. However, cheap bamboo flooring can be easily scratched.
Pros:
- It is robust and water resistant.
- It is healthy, aesthetic and environmentally friendly.
- It is easy to install.
Cons:
- In the long run, it may lose its shine and fade.
- There is a possibility of mold growth in conditions of extreme humidity.
Linoleum Sheets or Tile
Linoleum flooring is produced from natural products. Linseed oil is made from ground cork or organic materials including wood, pine resin, limestone and mineral pigments. Linoleum is considered a water-resistant material, but it is not completely waterproof. Water resistance is high, but tiled floor coverings with multiple joints can be problematic. Linoleum floor coverings are more durable, long-lasting and healthier than vinyl-PVC material.
Pros:
- It consists of 100% natural material.
- It is anti-bacterial.
- It is flexible and durable.
- It is repairable.
- Fireproof.
Cons:
- It is resistant to stagnant water and stains.
- Requires professional installation.
- A flawless subfloor is required for application.
Cork Bathroom Flooring
If sustainability is important to you, cork flooring is an eco-friendly option for you. Being waterproof and resistant to mold and water damage, it is among the best bathroom flooring ideas. It has a soft and non-slippery surface with its natural texture. Cork decking has aesthetic and unique patterns. However, it is necessary to recoat cork floors every few years to protect them from moisture.
Glue-on cork tiles, which come finished or unfinished, are great for premium applications, but snap-in planks should be used for bathrooms. It is best to finish the floor in place by choosing unfinished cork flooring to prevent water seeping through the gaps. Cork bathroom floors can be difficult to install, it is best to leave the application to a professional.
Tips:
- Choose a thick and high quality cork material. Make sure it has a durable coating that will repel water and moisture in the bathroom.
- Purchase a few extra spare parts for possible damage.
Pros:
- It is environmentally friendly.
- It is anti-microbial and mold resistant.
- It is soft, insulating against heat and sound.
- There are different texture and design options.
Cons:
- It can scratch easily, defects may occur on the surface over time.
- Requires professional installation.
Bathroom Floors to Avoid
Below are the floor coverings that should never be used in damp and wet areas:
Carpet Flooring
If you have the crazy idea of covering the bathroom floor with carpet, you are making a big mistake. Since carpets retain moisture for a very long time, it is very difficult to dry in wet and narrow spaces such as bathrooms. This causes mold to form on the carpet. If you must have a carpet in the bathroom, make sure that the lint is low and the material is 100% inorganic such as olefin or polyester. Regardless of what material it is made of, you should still not lay carpet on wet or semi-wet areas.
Hardwood Bathroom Flooring
A slightly better alternative to carpet, solid wood flooring looks great in the bathroom and feels warm underfoot. However, except for the top coating, solid parquets do not have protection against moisture. Even the smallest amount of moisture penetrating the wood will eventually rot it. If you absolutely want hardwood flooring in your bathroom, make sure it is perfectly installed by a professional.
Finished in situ parquet is slightly more resistant to moisture than pre-finished wood flooring, as a non-leaking liquid lacquer layer fills the joints and provides protection against water seeping into the subfloor. Also, the edges of pretreated wood are often beveled, which can direct water into the seams. In general, solid flooring is a poor choice for wet flooring.
We hope that the best bathroom flooring ideas 2024 we shared have inspired you. Don’t forget to visit our homepage for other room ideas and home decor examples! 🙂
