Table of Contents
Looking to renovate your bathroom but aren’t sure what types of flooring are suitable? We have teamed up with Stories Flooring to give you the best types of flooring for bathrooms.
When installing bathroom flooring, there are several factors to consider such as safety, moisture, and practicality. Certain types of floors such as solid and engineered wood for example, shouldn’t be used in moisture-prone environments.
If you want to ensure your new bathroom floor stands the test of time, here you will discover the best types you can install.
What types of flooring can be installed in the bathroom?
Although you can’t install solid wood in the bathroom, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy its aesthetics. There are plenty of flooring options available which can help you to achieve a wood or stone effect at a fraction of the cost.
LVT, SPC, and waterproof laminate, are three of the best types of flooring you can install in the bathroom. Let’s look at each type in a little more detail…
LVT
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring is a great choice for the bathroom. Naturally water resistant, this practical floor is easy to clean, and it can be installed with underfloor heating. Warmer to the touch than real wood flooring, LVT comes in a huge range of designs, including hyper-realistic wood and stone effects.
There are two types of LVT you can purchase including Gluedown and click options. Gluedown floors tend to offer more water resistance as they don’t have joints for water to trickle through. While most click LVT floors offer excellent water resistance, you will need to check the joints and adhesive used are waterproof too.
SPC
Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) floors are one of the newest types of flooring to hit the market. An advanced type of LVT, SPC floors are categorised by their tough core. They feature a multiple layer design and are 100% waterproof – making them a fantastic choice for the bathroom.
Like LVT, you can choose from hundreds of different realistic effects. The floors are also fitted using a click system. This means you’ll be able to install them by yourself which doesn’t just make SPC a more convenient choice, it also means you’ll save money on the cost of installation.
Waterproof laminate
Did you know some ranges of laminate offer a waterproof design? This makes them perfectly suited to bathroom installations.
Laminate flooring has been around for decades, but the way it is made has improved drastically over the years. Today, the aesthetics and quality of the floors makes them an outstanding choice for the home. Whether you are looking to create a stone or wood effect in the bathroom, waterproof laminate offers a vast range of designs to choose from.
These are the main types of flooring to consider when renovating your bathroom. Not only do they produce the same effects as wood or stone, but they are also considerably cheaper. LVT, SPC, and waterproof laminate are all simple to maintain and easy to install. They also provide natural warmth underfoot, making them more comfortable than the real thing too.
Features to look out for
Whatever type of bathroom-suitable flooring you decide to go with, there are some key features to keep in mind. They include:
- Waterproof
- Slip resistance
- Comfort
- Aesthetics
- Durability
- Installation
If you don’t want to replace your new floor within a month or two, investing in a waterproof variety is essential. While most LVT floors are waterproof, some click varieties may become damaged if they are exposed to moisture. Always check the floor you want to install is 100% waterproof.
Slip resistance is another factor to consider. Bathrooms can become extremely slippery when wet. Choosing a floor with good slip resistance will minimise the risk of slips and falls. This is especially important in family and senior bathrooms.
As you will be walking on the bathroom floor in bare feet, make sure it offers excellent comfort. Cushioned LVT is an excellent choice, or you could install a comfort-enhancing underlay. SPC floors typically come with a built-in underlay, naturally boosting comfort and warmth.
How the flooring looks will play a big role in which one you choose. There are hundreds of different designs, effects, and finishes to choose from. Whether you want to add wood, stone, or tile effects to the room, there is an ideal flooring design to match it.
How durable is the floor? While it may not seem like the bathroom floor suffers the same level of wear and tear as the hallway or lounge, it does receive a lot of foot traffic each day. If you have kids, the bathroom also tends to turn into a play area. This means the floor needs to be highly durable as well as waterproof. Making sure you choose a reliable flooring company will also guarantee you invest in quality, durable flooring.
Finally, it’s important to consider the installation of the floor. Will you need to glue it down or click it together? While it is possible to use both methods yourself, click installation does tend to be a little easier.
When trying to determine which floor is right for your bathroom, consider the factors above. Making sure you make the right decision is crucial if you want to enjoy your new floor for years to come.
