7 Best Flooring Options for Your Bathroom

(Guest Writer: Lisa Robert)

Most people only consider ceramic tiles for bathroom flooring. In fact, most people are unaware that there are other options. We don't hold it against them. Ceramic tiles have long been the norm for most people, and for a good reason. They are resilient and easy to maintain. However, you can do so much more with your bathroom flooring. Therefore, we have decided to make a list of the 7 best flooring options for your bathroom.

1. Stone Flooring

Many people have opted for stone flooring in bathroom renovations in the last two decades. That being said, we are not talking about any stone. We are talking about natural stone. This type of flooring looks nice, pleasant to the touch, and most of all, it's durable and long-lasting. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of stone is that it is very expensive and hard to install. It may also be less watertight than other materials depending on the type of stone that you decide to use. If you use a soft stone such as limestone for your bathroom flooring, you will have to do a bit of maintenance every couple of years. It won't have to be anything extensive. However, you will have to reapply the sealer.

2. Concrete Flooring

Concrete is the cornerstone of construction, and for the longest time, that was all it was. No one really thought about using it for flooring. However, today concrete has become a prevalent option all around the world. There are many ways in which you can install concrete flooring. You can place a premade concrete slab as the base for your bathroom. However, you can also find professionals who will pour the concrete to create a fresh new floor for your bathroom. That being said, we must also mention that the installation process of concrete flooring is complicated and can take a lot of time. If you don't have space in your home to keep your belongings during the renovation, you should rent a storage unit. Safety is one of the perks of storage units, so you won't have to worry about anything.

That being said, if you decide to go with concrete flooring, you will be glad to hear that you don't have to settle for the dull gray look. You can choose different colors for your concrete floor. Not only that, but you can also stamp it in different partners and polish it to make it look beautiful. Concrete has the benefit of being entirely resistant to any kind of water damage. It also has an almost unlimited life span. The one drawback of concrete is that it can be cold to the touch. However, if you plan ahead, you can install underfloor heating along with your concrete floor. This will completely fix the issue of cold.

3. Porcelain Tile Flooring

Porcelain tile flooring is going to be the best overall type of flooring for the majority of households. Not only does it look amazing, but it is also very durable and long-lasting. You can find porcelain tiles in various finishes, sizes, and textures to complement any design or style. However, the outstanding quality and ease of maintenance of porcelain tile come at a cost. It is one of the most expensive flooring types you can get. We should also mention the fact that porcelain tile is very slippery. Therefore, this flooring could be a bit dangerous if you are not careful.

Porcelain flooring is beautiful and easy to maintain, but it is expensive.

4. Ceramic Tile Flooring

Since we are discussing the best flooring options, we can't skip over ceramic tiles and their benefits. Ceramic tile flooring is an option for individuals who want a clean, contemporary design in their bathroom. Ceramic tiles are a safe option and the one most people go with. As we've mentioned at the beginning, this is for a good reason. This type of flooring is an excellent balance of affordability, visual appeal, and durability. Unless you drop something on it, it will last for years. Furthermore, since a glaze protects most ceramic tiles, it is very easy to clean. You don't have to worry about how abrasive your cleaning solution is or anything else of that nature.

Ceramic tiles are the ideal combination of affordability, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Additionally, while the price of tile depends on many factors, on average, ceramic tile is much less expensive than other tile types. Another aspect of ceramic tile that can influence how much you will spend on it is the installation process. Unlike many different types of flooring, you can install ceramic tiles yourself. 

5. Luxury Vinyl Flooring

If you don't want to bother with maintenance and you don't want to spend too much money on your bathroom flooring, luxury vinyl flooring is just what you need. You will find luxury vinyl flooring that comes in water-resistant and waterproof forms. There is not much difference there. You only need to know that whichever type you choose, you will be able to clean it fairly quickly. These days, vinyl flooring also tends to look nice. You have a variety of designs and colors that you can use to make this flooring fit your style. This means you won't sacrifice appearance if you use this flooring type.

6. Engineered Wood

Wood does not bode well in moist or wet environments. That is why there aren't many bathrooms that use natural wood flooring. However, if you use engineered wood, you can get the look of wood flooring without all the issues that come with using natural wood. Moisture-resistant plywood is used as the basis for engineered wood. Engineered wood flooring also looks like natural wood because the top layer is genuine hardwood. This makes it the best option if you want natural wood in your bathroom.

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Engineered wood has all of the advantages of natural timber without any disadvantages.

7. Cork Flooring

Last but certainly not least, when it comes to the 7 best flooring options for your bathroom, is cork. This is the option for you if you want a soft flooring type that is warm to the touch and water-resistant. Cork is also extremely slip-resistant, making it far more secure than ceramic tile. It is, however, difficult to install and easily damaged. That being said, if you exercise caution, you will be able to enjoy one of the best flooring types in your bathroom without any issues.