Are you trying to choose the perfect bathroom flooring material for your upcoming remodel? It can get overwhelming quickly because there are so many options available. Thankfully, when it comes to the bathroom floor, it’s pretty simple to narrow it down.
Choose a bathroom floor material that is moisture resistant, durable and easy to clean. Your bathroom is used frequently, so choose a material that can withstand constant foot traffic. While wood, carpet, natural stone, or concrete might work great for other areas, they’re not the best material choice for the bathroom. We recommend three bathroom flooring options for your Wisconsin home: tile, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or sheet vinyl.
Let’s look at these three options to see how they compare and help you choose the best flooring option for your bathroom.
1. Tile for Bathroom Flooring
Tile is an excellent choice for bathroom flooring because it’s durable and water-resistant. Tile is an incredibly versatile and beautiful choice for your bathroom floor, whether your style is transitional, modern or contemporary. Tile has long been a popular favorite for the bathroom, and there’s a good reason for that.
There are several different types of tiles, including:
- Porcelain Tile
- Ceramic Tile
- Glass Tile
- Concrete Tile
- Natural Stone – Travertine, Slate, etc.
- Quarry Stone
Ceramic and porcelain are the most common tile materials for a bathroom floor, thanks to their cost-effectiveness and general return on investment (ROI). In fact, ceramic tiles have a ROI of around 70%! Tiles are incredibly low maintenance, non-slip and water-resistant, making them an exceptional choice for the bathroom. The design options are endless, from hexagon tile, to wood-look tile, to penny tile.
Tile is also a great choice if you want to install radiant floor heating. Heated flooring systems require thick floors that are great thermal conductors. They also require a floor to be relatively impervious to water and heat damage. For all these reasons, tile and natural stone are generally the only options for heated flooring systems. Since natural stone doesn’t fare so well in the wet bathroom environment, tiles become the best option for heated flooring systems in the bathroom.
2. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) for Bathroom Flooring
Do you love the look of rich hardwood floors? Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring is a great choice for your bathroom. You can get the look of wood or tile, but in a waterproof version and a fraction of the cost. Luxury vinyl is also scratch-resistant and very easy to clean.
One advantage of LVP is its durability. It won’t crack or chip, making it a great option if you have children or pets. Luxury vinyl plank is manufactured from PVC and is higher-quality than sheet vinyl. If you are on a budget, LVP is a great choice. It’s more cost-effective than tile and installation is faster and easier, which also saves you money.
Luxury vinyl plank is a great material if you want a material like wood or natural stone for your bathroom floor without a headache. Many colors and patterns are available to meet the design style of your Wisconsin home.
3. Sheet Vinyl for Bathroom Flooring
You’re likely already familiar with vinyl floors. They were first manufactured in the 1920s from synthetic materials. Sheet vinyl is exactly what it sounds like it is. It’s vinyl that’s rolled out in sheet form. It’s incredibly cost-effective.
Why choose sheet vinyl for a bathroom floor? The material is completely waterproof and comes in an array of styles. Whether you like tile, wood-look, marble, stone or slate, you can find a pattern that works for your bathroom style. It comes in a sheet and is easy to install with glue. When well-maintained and adequately cleaned, sheet vinyl floors can last between 10-20 years.
The most significant downside to sheet vinyl is that it can be challenging to repair. In the case of damage, you will most likely have to replace the whole floor.
Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Bathroom
What is the best bathroom flooring for your Wisconsin home? If you want heated floors or a more luxurious bathroom design, go with ceramic or porcelain tiles. If you want the cheapest option, go with sheet vinyl. If you want your flooring to look like another material, like hardwood, choose luxury vinyl plank.
If you’re still unsure which is right for your project, be sure to ask your Kowalske designer for some advice. We can help guide you in the right direction. Schedule your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Flooring
Learn More
- Kitchen flooring ideas
- Best bathroom tile
- Cost to remodel your bathroom
- Bathroom remodeling services
About Kowalske
Author
Mandy Lee is a contributor to Innovative Construction Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the building materials industry. Mandy is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings and turn houses into homes.
