7 Best Bathroom Flooring Materials (Updated for 2021)

7 Best Bathroom Flooring Materials (Updated for 2021)

Durable, moisture-resistant, low-maintenance and attractive flooring is the key to a well-designed and functional bathroom. After all, it needs to withstand a lot of mess, humidity and temperature changes.

That’s why it’s important to find a flooring material that can accommodate the moisture in your bathroom without looking awful.

When it comes to shopping for the perfect bathroom flooring material, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options. Don’t worry! Here, we examine the pros and cons of seven of the most popular types to help you make a more informed decision.

Top 7 Flooring Materials for Your Bathroom

Choosing bathroom flooring is challenging as the material should be long-lasting, able to endure plenty of moisture, and look good. Go through our list of popular bathroom flooring materials before you decide which to install.

1) Laminate Flooring

Gone are the days when laminate flooring was considered an inferior alternative to hardwood. Recently, it’s become a popular flooring option because of its durability, versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Laminate planks have a high-density wood fibre core made from compressed fibres extracted from wood chips. The surface of the plank is a photographic image of cherry, oak, slate, marble or any other wood or natural stone.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to install
• Available in a wide range of colours and styles
• Easy to clean
• Scratch and dent resistant
• Comfortable to walk on

Cons

• Susceptible to damage from excessive water
• Can collect static
• Slippery
• Unrepairable if damaged by water

 

2) Vinyl Flooring

Available in tiles, sheets and planks, vinyl flooring is a great choice for bathrooms because it gives a high-end look at a relatively low price.

Vinyl flooring is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with various compounds added to tailor the material’s colour, hardness, sheen and flexibility. This is an ideal choice to replicate the look of ceramic tiles in your bathroom.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Extremely inexpensive
• Comfortable to stand on for a long time
• Low maintenance
• DIY friendly
• Can be installed over existing flooring
• Visually appealing

Cons

• Poor resale value
• Can develop bumps or curls at the edges or seams
• Difficult to repair

 

3) Cork Flooring

Both attractive and durable, cork is a relatively new flooring material that’s recently gained in popularity. This eco-friendly flooring and hypoallergenic flooring material is made from the bark of the cork oak tree which is ground up, compressed, and formed into sheets bonded with resins.

Cork offers a warm and unique look that is suited to both modern and traditional spaces.

Pros

• Easy to maintain
• Easy to install
• Mould and mildew resistant
• Antimicrobial and biodegradable
• Comfortable to walk on
• Can be refinished
• Available in a wide array of colours and grain patterns
• Suitable for high-traffic areas

Cons

• Requires sealing with a polyurethane coat to prevent swelling
• Can be damaged by prolonged light exposure
• Can be permanently damaged by standing water

 

4) Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Flooring

Tile is one of the most common bathroom flooring materials. It’s generally made of either ceramic (clay shaped and fired in a kiln) or porcelain (very fine clay fired at high temperatures to remove excess moisture). This flooring option gives your bathroom a clean and elegant look.

When you choose tile flooring, you don’t have to worry about stains or water damage.

Pros

• Durable
• Waterproof
• Stain-resistant
• Impervious to extreme temperatures
• Easy to maintain and clean
• Affordable
• Good resale value

Cons

• Susceptible to damage from heavy or sharp objects
• Difficult to clean grout lines
• Cold and hard to touch
• Dull looking

 

5) Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone is an attractive and durable choice for a bathroom – if you can afford it. Marble, granite, travertine and limestone are some popular stone flooring options that are hard, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing.

Natural stones provide a luxurious, high-end look to your bathroom. To mitigate the slip factor, go for a naturally-textured stone like slate or one that’s been textured by sandblasting.

Pros

• Natural and elegant appearance
• Easy to clean
• Doesn’t attract allergens
• Excellent resale value
• Extremely durable

Cons

• Expensive
• Difficult to install without professionals
• Not waterproof
• Requires resealing

 

6) Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is often confused with vinyl, but apart from their appearance, they have nothing in common.

This flooring material is made from linseed oil and numerous wood products. Its water resistance makes it an ideal choice for the bathroom floor.

Available in sheets, planks and tiles, linoleum has far fewer seams and joints than vinyl.

Pros

• Mould and mildew resistant
• Long-lasting
• Naturally resilient
• Eco-friendly
• Durable
• Provides good cushioning
• Available in various colours and patterns
• Camouflages scratches and dings
• Low maintenance

Cons

• Needs waxing every two or three years
• Susceptible to dents from sharp objects
• Slippery

 

7) Concrete Flooring

Concrete is an uncommon but efficient bathroom flooring material. Generally found in homes with slab foundations or basements where thick concrete slabs rest directly on the soil, it comes in a wide range of dyed or acid-etched options to create unique patterns.

If you think concrete isn’t ideal for a high-end bathroom, you can stain, polish, paint or give it a top coat to create a unique look.

Pros

• Impervious to water damage
• Highly durable
• Long-lasting
• Cost-effective
• Effectively maintenance-free
• Suitable for both modern and contemporary decor

Cons

• Cold and hard underfoot
• Slippery when wet
• Highly susceptible to staining

 

Choosing a flooring material for damp spaces like a bathroom is challenging. The flooring needs to be water-resistant, durable, attractive, easy to maintain, and comfortable underfoot. Hopefully, this guide to popular bathroom flooring materials will help you narrow down your search and decide what’s best suited for your needs. If you need further assistance, call us at 416-201-9611.