Let’s face it – your bathroom’s floor takes a beating, and if it isn’t covered using the right materials, you’ll have to replace it a lot faster than you may like. But what flooring is the best one for your situation? Which ones are tough enough to keep up with your family while protecting your home?
Given that bathrooms can be anything from a relaxing haven after a long day to a fast-paced, hectic situation for multiple users on the average weekday morning, your bathroom flooring needs to take your needs into account first and foremost. In this article, we’ll cover some popular bathroom flooring options for your Buffalo home to help you find the right choice.
Choosing the Best Bathroom Flooring for Your Needs
Let’s start by talking about the most important factor in your bathroom floor: water resistance. The bathroom is definitely a wet room. Your teenage daughter seems to have problems understanding the concept of shutting the shower curtain. The toilet overflows. The sink is left running. You get the picture.
But beyond waterproof, what else should you take into account? If you have smaller children, stain resistance may be important, as is ease of cleaning. A hardier material that can take heavier items being dropped may also be a better bet. On the other hand, for newly empty nests, other materials can add luxury at the cost of a touch more care.
Vinyl
Vinyl is, by design, waterproof, tough, and has become available in a wide range of appearances and colors, allowing you the cost savings and appearance of natural wood, tile, or stone, but without the regular maintenance and cooler feel underfoot.
Vinyl is available in a number of formats, including solid sheets, luxury planks, and luxury tiles. This diversity allows you to get the look that you want without the demands of a perfectly flat and level floor, while still remaining comfortable on little – and not-so-little – feet.
Tile
Tile is available in a range of materials, but when most people talk about tile, they’re discussing ceramic or porcelain. Ceramic is less expensive, but not as strong as porcelain tile. Though they’re both made from clay, ceramic uses coarse clay fired at a lower temp and porcelain uses finer clay fired at higher temps.
Though both can be cold underfoot, radiant heating can be added to your tile floor to make it comfortable on even the coldest morning in a New York winter. However, you want a textured or wet-floor rated tile to avoid slip and fall accidents.
Natural Stone
The reason why natural stone is viewed as a luxury material is because it’s been used in the finest homes for centuries. Travertine and limestone are softer stone, requiring resealing every couple years, but granite and marble can go five years between sealing jobs. If you don’t mind the extra maintenance, natural stone is an amazing option.
However, like tile, natural stone can sometimes be cold and slippery if you choose the wrong options. Naturally textured stones such as slate, or tiles that have been tumbled or hones rather than being polished require more frequent resealing, but avoid accidents. Consider radiant heating.
Engineered Wood and Laminate
Though wood typically doesn’t mix well with water, newer engineered hardwood and laminate flooring is often designed to deal with water much better than natural hardwood or older laminate. Make sure to shop for a waterproof option if you decide to go with this option.
Engineered wood and laminate are great for adult bathrooms or bathrooms that are well-ventilated with occasional child usage. It’s also less slippery and warmer underfoot than a lot of other options, making it more comfortable for bare feet.
Epoxy
One option that many homeowners fail to consider is epoxy. Providing the hardy seal of a sheet of vinyl with perfect placement and a wide range of appearances, epoxy flooring is a strong, waterproof flooring system that is cured in place in your bathroom.
Epoxy is tough, standing up to the challenges of industrial warehouse flooring, so it should survive the worst your kids can throw at it. It’s warmer underfoot than tile or stone, while still holding up well to a wide range of circumstances.
By taking the time to educate yourself about the possible bathroom flooring options for your Buffalo home, you can transform your space into a comfortable location, whether it’s the 7 AM rush to get ready for school or the 7 PM wind-down after a crazy day.
If you’re ready to make some updates and want to take a look at replacement bathroom flooring options for your Buffalo home’s renovation, why not give the professionals at Modern Flooring & Renovations a call? Our friendly team is always ready to help you find the perfect solutions for your style, household, and budget.
