Bathroom floors must be waterproof, durable and, of course, follow the aesthetics of your bathroom. Porcelain and ceramic tiles may be the most popular bathroom floor option, but other types of flooring, such as stone tiles, might be the best choice for your space. Rubber floors are generally used in bathrooms where function is prioritized over style. Rubber is not only easy to clean, but it is also naturally resistant to mildew, stains and physical damage.
In addition, it is a non-slip material, which makes it safe for children, or it can be combined with ADA support bars for an extremely safe swim. It's an old fashioned option that may even seem a little old fashioned when it comes to the bathroom, but you can get a lot out of laminate vinyl floors without spending a lot of money. For smaller bathrooms or entry-level homes, this could be a great option that will provide years of service with proper care. Vinyl sheets come in a variety of qualities and designs, so you can choose something a little stronger than contractor quality if you're upgrading the same material.
On the downside, vinyl sheets can crack or tear quite easily if you have sharp objects in the bathroom, such as chairs without rubber feet. If not properly installed, water can enter from under the floor without seams and create a lot of problems. Although it seems like it can be an easy do-it-yourself project in the bathroom, vinyl sheets are best for the experienced installer. Don't confuse peel-and-stick vinyl tiles with continuous sheet vinyl floors, as the two are different worlds, even if they're essentially made of the same material.
Peelable vinyl tiles rarely last long, even with ideal installation, and are generally manufactured to be extremely temporary solutions to a long-term problem. Laminate flooring is an economical option if you're not looking for something that will last. If you tend to update your bathroom regularly, the price and lifespan will undoubtedly be attractive. Luxury vinyl plank flooring, also known as luxury vinyl planks, is a relatively new flooring option that's getting a lot of attention these days.
It is made from a combination of vinyl flooring and other synthetic materials, or completely vinyl, just like vinyl sheet floors. Like laminate, it's very easy to install and quite forgiving for a DIYer. It has few drawbacks in bathroom decoration and, in the absence of more permanent options such as tiles, it is quite ideal. However, you can expect vinyl plank floors to last only about 10 years in high-traffic areas, such as bathrooms.
In addition, because vinyl plank floors are so resistant to water damage, if a leak were to occur somewhere invisible and water seeps under the floor, you might not know for a long time. Ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles are great options for bathrooms if your budget can fit the sometimes high prices. Available in a wide range of designs, colored tiles can even be used for decorative pieces such as mosaics or special designs,. Tile floors are meant to be an essentially permanent solution, so an experienced installation is definitely recommended.
On the downside, tiles can be very smooth when wet, depending on the profile, and very cold in winter. It can also create an inconsistent surface due to variations in the soil itself. Once again, expense is often an important factor when considering tile floors, as they can be very expensive. If you choose a floor that you end up hating, removing and replacing it is quite an important process.
You'll also have to maintain the grout lines indefinitely. In general, tiles are a great choice for a house where you plan to stay for a while. As long as you choose a neutral pattern or one that you just can't get enough of, it can be a reliable surface for the rest of your life with good care. As for the possible cold underfoot, an underfloor heating kit can be installed under the floor to keep the cold away.
However, it's important to note that when concrete is the foundation of your home, it will most likely have a “rough finish”, not a “polished” or “smooth” finish as you might want in a bathroom. As a premeditation (when building), you can make the finish smoother in those spaces. As an afterthought (when remodeling), you may have to finish it again first. In addition, despite their versatile and durable nature, some chemicals can etch concrete, which involves a lot of repair work.
Finally, concrete can crack as a house changes location, which will require filling work, which is messy and unpleasant. In a house that's already built, or in one where you don't care if someone else works on the floor again, concrete is an excellent choice as a low-maintenance choice that will last longer than you. You'll need to polish some finishes from time to time to make them look their best, but this is a smooth, even surface that's ideal for aging instead. Mahogany Taylor is a licensed general contractor with more than 25 years of experience in everything related to construction and interior design, as well as in conceptual design and planning.
He has spearheaded multiple construction and design projects throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. In most cases, waterproof floors are the best option. However, in bathrooms that are only used by adults or in small vanities where standing water is not likely to be present, water resistant floors are a good option. Vinyl sheet floors, and vinyl floors in general, offer a more affordable option for bathroom remodeling projects.
Capable of looking like anything from hardwood boards to high-end ceramic tiles and stones, vinyl sheets are an attractive alternative. Instead of less impermeable floors, such as solid wood and tile, which can bend, build up and break, in addition to attracting moisture through grout and planks, vinyl sheet offers a significantly more durable solution. By far the most ubiquitous bathroom floor material? Bluebird. Among this year's bathroom flooring trends are zellige tiles (an artisanal ancestor of the ubiquitous subway tiles), which have softer edges, imperfections and color variations, Byrnes reveals.
Whatever material you choose, proper installation is essential. From subfloor preparation to final finishes (such as waterproof moldings), attention to detail is crucial to the success of any DIY flooring project. The thinnest product, grout, sealants and tools you use can make the difference between a professional-looking installation and a failed installation. Choosing the right decoration style and floor for your bathroom remodel is a great way to start the process.
You don't want a bathroom remodeling project to drag on for months, so setting up a concrete plan will ensure that you get in and out quickly. If you intend to sell the house in approximately five years and are remodeling the bathroom to improve your ROI, it's important to pay attention to materials that can increase the resale value of your home and attract potential buyers. As one of the top candidates for bathroom remodeling projects, waterproof floors, and waterproof hardwood, in particular, can offer a compelling alternative. If you're looking for a bathroom remodel, you might be learning that your flooring options now go far beyond the tile and linoleum options of previous years.
.