One of the many aspects of remodeling a bathroom is choosing the right flooring. The sheer variety of potential bathroom tile colors, patterns, shapes, and materials when trying to choose the ideal tiles for your bathroom can be overwhelming. And in addition to the stylistic details, it’s important to think practically, especially when it comes to water. Waterproof flooring for bathrooms is an absolute must for avoiding things like mold and mildew. This makes natural hardwood a no-no in bathrooms because it absorbs, retains, and warps from moisture. But that’s not the only reason to think of how water and your fabulous lightweight bathroom tile might interact.
You’ll also want a tile that isn’t slippery when wet so that it becomes a safety hazard to you or anyone else using the bathroom. Naturally, you’ll also want to think about long-term durability, and how easy the tile is to clean. Let’s look at some of the options so you can make the right choice for your bathroom.
What is the Best Type of Tile for the Bathroom Floor?
So, if we know that the bathroom floor needs to be waterproof, safe, durable, and stunning, where do we begin? Make sure to include bathroom flooring in your overall bathroom design plan so it becomes a seamless and stunning part of the entire experience. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type, but these are definitely some top choices:
1. Vinyl Bathroom Tile
Vinyl flooring really stands at the top of many bathroom flooring lists, and for good reasons. Vinyl tiles have come a long way over the years to the point where they are one of the most popular choices for waterproof, lightweight floor tile. It’s also often chosen for kitchen flooring because it’s so versatile. It comes in several price points, but what is really amazing is how many patterns and textures it offers. It can look just like hardwood or stone, it comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, yet it’s relatively easy to install. And as a grout-less bathroom tile option, it is also easy to take a mop to it and finish cleaning quickly. It can be relatively non-slip as well and feels comfortable on the tootsies.
2. Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles
These are absolute classics because, when properly installed, they pass the waterproof test, and the options for customization in shapes, sizes, and designs are nearly endless. Ceramic and porcelain are both quite durable too. If regularly mopped, it’s easy to clean as well, so that’s not a problem. It can be cold and slick on the feet, but choosing a textured tile can help, as can radiant under-floor heating
3. Cork Flooring
Image Source: https://www.decorsnob.com/can-cork-flooring-be-installed-in-a-bathroom/
This one is becoming more and more popular because of how comfortable and warm it feels and looks. And while it is moisture resistant, it is not waterproof, so that can be a problem. To boost the water-resistant properties, it requires several overlapping coats of polyurethane sealing.
4. Glass Tiles
Yes, glass; even on the bathroom floor. While this is an expensive option, it can be a great one for a decorative effect, and if you choose textured glass tiles, they do prevent slipperiness. Smaller tiles with many grout joints help with traction as well. You can even use it in the shower! And you’d be surprised how durable it can be while also creating gorgeous color and depth effects on your floor, or even shower design. Just keep in mind that all that grout will need a little extra cleaning to stay fresh.
5. Natural Stone Tiles
Real stone is an expensive, but luxurious and durable bathroom flooring option. With its beautiful, natural variations in color, texture, and pattern, it’s always a stunner when you have guests. It does require regular maintenance and more intensive cleaning to maintain its luxurious looks, though, so keep this in mind and decide whether or not a stone-look vinyl tile might do just as well at a lower price with comparable durability and considerably less maintenance.
Is Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Better for Shower Floors?
Here at Corvallis Custom Kitchens and Baths, we get this question a lot because a lot of websites treat them as if they are the same thing. And while they can often be used interchangeably design-wise, they do have some important differences that might impact your choice of whether to use them in the shower (which needs to be waterproof, easy to clean, and non-slippery).
Porcelain and ceramic are cousins in composition. They are both made of clay, but porcelain uses finer-grained clay that is made at higher pressures and temperatures so that it is stronger than ceramic tiles. You’ll also notice that porcelain tiles are heavier, compared with the more lightweight ceramic tile. Because of the way it’s made, porcelain is far more waterproof than ceramic, which is a little more porous. Porcelain coloring also goes entirely through the tile, whereas ceramic tile often has the color-glazed on. If the porcelain ever chips, it won’t be as noticeable. Consequently, porcelain tile is more expensive than ceramic tile. Because of these properties, porcelain tiles are often preferred in the water-intensive environment of shower flooring. Using textured ceramic tile for bathroom tiles outside of the shower, however, is usually just fine, as it is a relatively inexpensive bathroom tile choice compared to others.
Call the Bathroom Remodeling Experts Corvallis Trusts
If thoughts of water and flooring tiles in the bathroom have you bickering with your Pinterest feed over the best choices for your bathroom floors, schedule a personal consultation with the bathroom remodeling team here at Corvallis Custom Kitchens and Baths today. Also, be sure to look at this recent bathroom remodeling project we loved working on and see some of the other remodeling projects we’ve done for more inspiration. We can help you create a gorgeous spa bathroom that truly relaxes and pampers you the way you deserve!
