There can be quite a bit to consider when flooring the bathroom. Most importantly it needs to be able to cope with moisture, humidity, water and temperature changes and of course it needs to look good. Although there’s quite a lot to consider you’ve also got a lot of options. We’ve narrowed it down and created a list of our favourite bathroom tiles ideas and designs for the perfect waterproof flooring options.
Porcelain and Ceramic Bathroom Tiles
Tiles are one of the most popular flooring choices for bathrooms. Wall & floor bathroom tiles are waterproof, durable and stain-resistant. They are classic, clean and come in thousands of shapes, patterns, colours and textures to suit any bathroom configuration and any style or design preference.
Porcelain tile has a very low moisture absorption rate making it perfect for the humid environment of bathrooms.
Although tile floors are very practical for bathrooms, they can be cold underfoot, especially in cool climates and winter months, which isn’t ideal for a room where you mostly visit barefoot, but this can be remedied with underfloor heating.
Advantages of bathroom floor tiles
- Extremely durable—can last for decades
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Many designs and styles available
- Suitable for underfloor heating
Disadvantages of bathroom floor tiles
- Cold underfoot
- Hard underfoot
- Grout joints are prone to trapping dirt and stains
- A more complicated installation than most other types of flooring
- Additional materials needed (underfloor heating) can significantly add to the overall cost
Vinyl and LVT Bathroom Flooring
Available in sheets, tiles, or luxury vinyl planks, vinyl is a popular choice for bathroom flooring. Vinyl floors are waterproof, hard wearing, easy to maintain and relatively inexpensive. The soft backing makes vinyl a lot softer than tiles or timber too, which is a big plus when it comes to a wet area where slip-and-fall accidents can be common.
Sheet vinyl is your best choice if extreme amounts of water are expected such as in a kid’s bathroom. Because it comes in large sheets there are very few or zero seems which makes for a much better barrier against moisture.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP/LVT) is an increasingly popular choice. Available in plank or tile looks, luxury vinyl floors as the name suggests are quite luxurious in appearance but cost a fraction of what natural stone or hardwood flooring costs.
Advantages of vinyl bathroom flooring
- Waterproof
- Cost-effective
- Softer and warmer underfoot than tile and timber
- Many designs and styles available
Disadvantages of vinyl bathroom flooring
- Often has poor resale value
- Vinyl can be gouged or scratched rather easily
Rigid Flooring For Bathroom
Rigid flooring sometimes known as ‘hybrid flooring’ is the latest hardflooring innovation. Combining the best attributes of both laminate and vinyl, rigid flooring is waterproof and dent resistant. Rigid is the first rigid floating floor product that can be installed throughout the entire home creating a seamless look.
Since rigid is 100% waterproof, rigid floors can be installed into wet areas and will never swell when exposed to water, making it perfect for bathroom floors.
Made with a printed visual layer, rigid mimics natural materials such as wood and stone so well it could convince anyone it’s the genuine material.
Advantages of rigid flooring in bathrooms
- 100% waterproof
- Ultra-durable
- A beautiful flooring surface
- Warmer and softer underfoot than tiles
- Easy to clean
Disadvantages of rigid flooring in bathrooms
- Can be expensive
