The Best Flooring Options For A Bathroom Remodeling Project

If you’re in the market for a bathroom remodel you may be learning that your flooring options now go well beyond the tile and linoleum options of years past.

It can be daunting to research all available material options, so let’s go over a few of the most popular materials  out there and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Vinyl Tile

Vinyl is a material that can be found in a large portion of homes in the world. It’s inexpensive, relatively durable, and easy to clean. However, recent innovations in vinyl have led to the production of luxury vinyl floor tiles that look exactly like wood. 

You can have a bathroom floor with the color and grain pattern of a beautiful, natural wood, without any of the maintenance or durability concerns. Vinyl floor tiles also come in non-wood colors and designs if you need a non-wood aesthetic. 

Vinyl tile is also easier to install than traditional tile and should save you money or time on installation.

Rubber

Rubber flooring is typically used in bathrooms where function is prioritized over style. Not only is rubber easy to clean, but it’s also naturally resistant to mold, mildew, stains, and physical damage. Additionally, it’s an anti-slip material, making it safe for children, or can be paired with ADA grab bars for a supremely safe bathroom. 

While rubber is one of the most cost-effective and safe materials,  it can also be an aesthetically unique feature. Rubber can be found in almost any color, allowing you to slip it in as a subtle addition or a bold design statement. 

Ceramic Tiles

There’s a reason why ceramic tiling in bathrooms is so popular - customization. Ceramic tiles come in an endless number of colors and styles. Basic tile shapes can be laid out in a wide array of patterns and combined with any grout color to create a custom look that matches the style you are going for.  In terms of price, they can range anywhere from $1.50 to over $20 per square foot. Ceramic tile is low-maintenance, and exceptionally durable. 

Laminate

Another option available for those going for a particular look is laminate flooring. While not typically used in bathrooms because of its vulnerability to water, there are water-resistant types of laminate available. Main floor powder rooms often utilize laminate flooring to match the flooring of the adjoining spaces. Because powder rooms lack a shower or bathtub, there is far less exposure to standing water, and therefore more suitable to laminate flooring. 

The installation is easy and laminate is much harder to scratch or dent than other materials like natural hardwood. It’s easy to clean with just a damp mop and feels forgiving on the feet if installed with the right underlayment. 

Laminate is also available in almost any style you can think of, and is able to replicate materials like wood and marble almost perfectly. 

3D Epoxy Flooring

You’ve probably never heard of 3D epoxy flooring, but if you really want to let your inner artist out, 3D flooring is the way to go. They can be used to bring a variety of stunning visual scenes to life on your bathroom floor. One popular design, for example, is the coral reef floor. 

It appears as if you’re walking into an underwater coral reef, complete with graphic detail on every inch of your floor. There are others available as well like empty mine shafts, rolling waterfalls, sand dunes, a mossy forest floor, and so many more. 

Heated Flooring

The best thing about heated flooring is that you won’t have to deal with cold floors anymore when you wake up in the morning to brush your teeth.  The second best thing about heated flooring is it can be implemented under almost any type of flooring material. The warmth produced by a radiant floor heating setup heats a room much faster than forced-air heating, and it starts from the bottom-up. 

You can opt for hot water pipes or electric coils, and both types of radiant floor heating can be installed quickly, without breaking the bank. 

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Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.