Bathroom Flooring
Protection from the ground up
Resilient Flooring
Resilient flooring includes linoleum, vinyl, rubber and cork-based materials that are man-made and that provide a stable surface as well as some shock absorption. It comes in sheet form (a long roll that can be cut to the shape of the room) and tile form (usually 12-inch-by-12-inch pieces that can be easily cut and fitted together in a pattern to fit any floor). According to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, resilient flooring is the second most popular floor covering in the United States, making it likely to be the first most popular bathroom flooring choice. The wide range of patterns and textures available and its relatively low purchase and labor costs make that a statistic that’s easy to believe!
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is a natural alternative that provides warmth, durability and value like no other flooring option. In addition, it’s extremely easy to maintain, and it will make your house easier to sell for a higher price. It’s almost a no-brainer. It’s environmentally friendly, too, since it’s from a natural, renewable source. The variety of woods now used to make flooring and the different plank widths manufactured give consumers more style options than ever before. Hardwood technicians are getting more artful, too, creating patterns with one or more tones of wood that rival those available in tile. Since hardwood is more durable than resilient flooring, and because it can be sanded to look brand new even after it’s been abused, it’s a more economical choice over time than any other bathroom flooring.
Tile Floors
Tile is an extremely versatile flooring choice made from stone, ceramic, clay or marble - all of which are extremely durable. These natural materials offer earthy tones that can complement any bathroom design, or they can be tinted to reflect colors of your choice. It’s fire-resistant and nonconductive, making it the safest choice for bathroom flooring. (It is suggested that tile with an uneven surface be used for bathroom flooring to reduce the chance of slips and falls.) Because tile is made in so many different textures, colors, sizes and thicknesses, a limitless number of combinations can be assembled to make your bathroom different than any other you’ve ever seen. Style and function aside, tile is one of the most durable flooring choices available and will not only last you a lifetime, but it’ll last through the next homeowner’s lifetime, too.
