Making the decision to remodel your bathroom can leave you feeling eager to get started as soon as possible. However, spending a little extra time in the planning stages can help you pick materials that resist the damaging conditions of a humid bathroom. Another good reason to take your time when picking materials for a bathroom remodel is that then you can consider the amount of work that will go into the installation.
The following five flooring materials are all relatively easy to install and can handle the moisture so prevalent in the bathroom.
1. Sheet Vinyl
A solid sheet of vinyl, installed with as few seams as possible, is one of the best options for keeping the subfloor dry in a wet bathroom. This flexible material is easy to cut around existing fixtures, such as toilets and vanities, that you aren’t planning to replace during the renovation. Sheet vinyl is also easily installed over many other types of existing flooring, reducing demolition prior to the remodel.
Don’t confuse today’s vinyl flooring with old-fashioned options that came in a limited number of colors and patterns. Modern sheet vinyl can mimic the look and even the texture of stone, wood, and other materials that are more expensive, difficult, or inappropriate to install in the bathroom. Minimal seams limit the chances for moisture to soak under the flooring and into the wood below, where rot and mildew develop.
2. Rubber Flooring
Vinyl is good at handling moisture from splashes and spills, but it can get a little slippery when wet. Consider the safety of your bathroom when choosing a flooring material for a remodel. Bathrooms are rarely designed for non-slip features, which are good for both younger and older residents, when they’re initially built.
Unlike vinyl, rubber flooring has a non-slip surface, even when wet, and traps moisture so it can’t soak through and become trapped in the wood subfloor. It’s cut from a large roll of material much like vinyl, allowing for seamless or nearly seamless installation
3. Sheet Linoleum
Many homeowners mistake vinyl and linoleum flooring materials for each other, but they have a few major differences. Linoleum is made from natural products like linseed oil, making it a greener choice that is great for eco-minded homeowners.
Linoleum flooring is moisture resistant and dries out quickly after it becomes wet. It’s a very hard-wearing and long-lasting material, and wear doesn’t show up as readily since the material has the same color and pattern all the way through each layer
4. Vinyl Tiles and Planks
Pre-cut vinyl tiles and planks aren’t as moisture resistant as solid sheets of the same material, but they are easier and faster to install. It’s only a matter of applying adhesive, cutting a few pieces to fit around toilets and sinks, and pressing the tiles or planks onto the floor.
Most of these products are designed to look like either stone or wood, depending on the style and size of each piece. Avoid self-adhesive stick-on tiles for the bathroom. Vinyl planks and tiles that require a separate adhesive tend to offer a better grip in a humid environment.
5. Laminate Tiles
Finally, composite and plastic laminate planks and tiles are a good choice for the fastest installation during a bathroom remodel. Many of these flooring products rely on locking edges and aren’t permanently fastened to the previous floor. Choosing laminates does require you to create a smooth and level subfloor before installation, but older tile and vinyl floors may qualify for this purpose.
Contract Remodeling Services can help you narrow down which of these flooring options is best for upgrading your bathroom. Discuss your plans and needs with us today to get started on the decision-making process.
