Upgrading Bathroom Flooring

The bathroom, like any other room in your house, can be dramatically altered with a change in the flooring. But with the amount of traffic the bathroom sees, not to mention the increased possibility of flooding in this room compared to other rooms in the house, the choice for new flooring takes some thought. There are still a few different possibilities such as tile, vinyl, carpet, or hardwood flooring. Each type of flooring will give your bathroom a different atmosphere and can enhance even the most austere.

Tile

Tile flooring comes in several different options, and each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the overall look and feel you want to create for the room. Ceramic, slate, travertine, or quarry are the best options for bathroom flooring due to their virtuosity or their ability to absorb water, other types of tiles are best saved for accents, such as on the walls, or counters.

Ceramic tile, best used in the bathroom if glazed, comes in a variety of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes and is made from a clay mixture.

Slate tile is made from a clay and shale mixture and is a fine grained stone that is naturally slip resistant, which makes it ideal for slick places like the bathroom.

Travertine, a multilayered limestone, available in earth tones, adds sophistication to any room with its smooth and shiny finish.

Quarry, or rock tile, is unglazed tile that is available in multiple colors, shapes, and sizes, and is ideal for high traffic areas.

Marble tile comes in different sizes, slab or small tiles. Slab marble is best left to professionals as it can require additional structural reinforcement. Marble is available in either a satin or polished finish adding a classic atmosphere to the bathroom. However, while durable, this type of tile is slippery when wet, so keep this in mind if installing in or around bathtubs or showers.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring comes in two types, sheets or tiles. Sheets are best left to professionals, as it takes some measure of skill. Vinyl tiles are best for do-it-yourselfers as they come in small square tiles that are easier to handle on your own. Vinyl tiling is soft, yet resilient and also water resistant which makes it a great idea for bathroom flooring. Vinyl tiling comes in different colors and patterns as well as textures. Carpet flooring can be use in bathrooms, but this is not at very a viable bathroom flooring option as carpet and padding absorb water and is prone to stains and mildews. If used in the bathroom, this type of flooring is best left in the areas for dressing, rather than the wet areas.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring, like carpet flooring, can be another popular choice for the bathroom despite its propensity for water damage. In order to utilize this flooring type, be sure to use a finish that protects against water absorption. In addition, be sure to use smooth boards, rather than any types of beveling to avoid water getting trapped in the grooves.