4 popular bathroom flooring options
What are the best flooring options for your bathroom floor? As you will discover when you start to investigate, they all have advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic tile floors have been a staple of many home and bathroom renovations dating back to the ancient Egyptian and Chinese empires. Ceramic tiles are basically slabs of clay that have been heated to high temperatures and glazed to give that high gloss effect that appeals to so many. These tiles are among the most durable types of flooring you can install. In addition, they come in so many designs and colors that you will have no problem combining them with other elements in your bathroom. The downsides are that they can be very cold to the touch in the winter and can be extremely slippery when wet.
Hardwood flooring is one of the most beautiful types of flooring out there. In aesthetic terms, wood is compatible with almost any type of decoration you may have. While ceramic tile gives your bathroom a beautiful yet cold look, hardwood gives it a warm and inviting look. The biggest drawback of a hardwood floor is its susceptibility to moisture. More than any other type of flooring, in the presence of water, wood tends to warp and discolor. To prevent moisture damage, you must ensure that the wood is well sealed with a polyurethane coating or equivalent.
Carpet is an unusual choice for a bathroom floor. But many people love the feel of a soft rug on their bare feet. Where ceramic tile enhances sound, rugs deaden sound. However, it is not among the most popular flooring options, as most people find rugs in the bathroom to be a maintenance nightmare. Carpets absorb water voraciously, making them a virtual collector of mold. Carpets also stain easily, and odors can be difficult to remove. If you choose rugs, for the best experience, choose a washable, synthetic, low-pile material.
In many luxury homes, stone tiles are extremely popular. Just like ceramic tile flooring, this type of flooring has a long history with mankind. The stone is extremely strong and can withstand almost any type of traffic you throw at it. However, it can be susceptible to hairline cracks. Although, many homeowners simply ignore them as they don’t affect their effectiveness. Depending on the smoothness and porosity of the stone, it can absorb stains very quickly, which is one of the main complaints homeowners have.