Top Flooring Materials for Any Bathroom

Last updated on December 18, 2024

Before the arrival of spring, many home and business owners focus on small and medium structural renovation projects. A bathroom redesign offers more than a fresh look for a dated space. It provides the structure with more durable materials that last longer, prevent sick building syndrome, and increase property value.

A bathroom floor is a critical element that many property owners struggle to pick during a project’s design phase. A wide selection of colours, patterns and materials can feel overwhelming and make the decision more difficult. The atmosphere the property owner plans to create comes into play. Additionally, how they plan to use the space impacts their decision. Read on to learn more about several materials that effortlessly work well with varied designs and needs…

Why Does Selecting the Right Material Matter?

Luxury bathroom with a modern aesthetic showcasing a sleek contemporary style. The color theme is dominated by warm whites and subtle golds 2

The floor of a bathroom is often the first thing people notice when they enter the space. The quality, colour, and type of material leave a lasting impression. As a result, many property owners need to consider if the flooring they pick accurately reflects a specific atmosphere, theme or personal taste.

A bathroom floor also experiences high foot traffic and related wear and tear, stains and moisture exposure. If the property owner chooses multiple uses for the space (i.e., waste disposal, bath or shower, changing room for babies or adults, sauna or vanity area), they must take into account the specific ways the flooring might experience damage.

For example, baths and showers cause fluctuating temperatures and create intermittent humidity that warps certain materials and promotes biofilm and mould growth. In a bathroom with an area to apply health and beauty products, the floor might become exposed to products that contain harsh chemicals that damage or stain the floor surface.

In any scenario, the floor must hold up well and offer resistance against exposures. The material must prove easy to repair and provide a long enough lifespan to guarantee a high return on investment. Since many people don’t have enough time in their schedules to deep-clean their bathrooms every day, an easy-to-maintain flooring material is another necessity.

What are the Best Materials for Bathrooms?

Whether a property owner shops at brick-and-mortar or online flooring stores, low-maintenance bathroom flooring solutions include ceramic, porcelain, vinyl, stone, cork and bamboo. All these options offer some level of resistance against scratches and scuffs, stains and water. These materials each have pros and cons:

Ceramic and Porcelain

Popular materials include ceramic and porcelain, available as bathroom floor tiles. Ceramic and porcelain cost more than some other options and require regular grout line sealant maintenance but hold up well to wear and tear. The materials are also easy to swap out during repairs. A property owner can use ceramic and porcelain tiles to make a space feel larger, mimic natural stone options, and create complex mosaics with a variety of colours, stamps and textures. Textured options that prevent slipping after a bath or shower also exist.

Other cons include surface hardness and temperature. Some people dislike these tiles because the material is hard and chilly. When selecting an option, it’s important to note that ceramic can also become damaged faster than porcelain.

Vinyl and Laminate

It’s impossible to talk about bathroom flooring without discussing engineered vinyl and laminate products. Vinyl planks, sheets and tiles have become mainstays for bathrooms because vinyl is budget-friendly, easy to clean product available in a variety of patterns. Manufacturers can even make it look like natural materials. Vinyl offers a cushioned, warm surface after a bath or shower. A flooring technician can install vinyl atop another material, which cuts down on renovation costs. It’s also easy to repair. Some people even apply paint to it entirely or with stamps. Laminate planks offer similar benefits in terms of cost and durability. Laminate is more scratch-resistant than vinyl and can mimic stone and timber better.

That said, both materials aren’t as durable as ceramic and porcelain, show damage more easily, and wear faster over time. Without a waterproof sealant, laminate also fails to resist moisture as well as vinyl and other flooring materials.

Various Natural Stones

Historically, people have used natural stones (i.e., granite, limestone, marble and sandstone) throughout their homes and other structures. Many people like natural stone because it’s not a synthetic or hybrid product. In a bathroom, it’s an incredibly nature-emphasized option that’s highly durable and long lasting. Depending on the type of stone or stones, a stone floor can look luxurious and allow for one-of-a-kind colours, patterns and textures. Stone flooring creates an atmosphere of wealth that increases property value.

Yet, natural stone is more costly than any of the materials mentioned so far in terms of raw material acquisition, installation, maintenance and repairs. If stone isn’t properly installed and sealed against moisture, its surface can stain. It’s also a hard, cold choice, unless used with underfloor or baseboard heating. It can cause slips and falls as well unless it’s textured or sealed to reduce slippage. It also requires applications of professional-grade sealant every few years.

Cork and Bamboo

Lastly, people who want a low-cost natural, renewable and sustainable solution often turn to cork and bamboo for their bathrooms. Cork is made from the bark of a tree that simply replaces the old bark with new growth. Bamboo is a type of grass that’s easily replaced in nature over time. These materials naturally resist stains and moisture. Cork naturally resists mildew, mould and termites. Bamboo offers this resistance with treatment. Cork provides a softer option than bamboo, but bamboo flooring products range from soft to hard. Both offer warmth underfoot. The preparation process to create flooring with these materials makes the products long-lasting and water-resistant. Cork and bamboo floors can outlast ceramic tiles by decades.

How to Select a Flooring Store

Before starting a bathroom flooring project, it’s important to complete a bit of homework to guarantee that the flooring store and product selections won’t cause disappointment after making a significant investment of money and time. Store selection simply requires that a property owner take the time to learn as much as possible about their local options. They should research the store’s history, reviews and extra services. Many stores offer project design services to help property owners pick the best flooring product or products to fit their needs and tastes. They also usually offer installation by licenced technicians.