Many homeowners select flooring based on appearance. This is certainly not surprising, as virtually everyone wants their home to look beautiful. Nevertheless, if you are visiting a tile store for the purpose of renovating your bathroom floor, performance is as important as visual appeal. This is because moisture can quickly ruin certain types of flooring, which is an expensive problem to remedy. Below are some of the best options for your new bathroom floor, as well as which materials to avoid:
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a great choice for a bathroom, as it is cost-effective, waterproof, and adds a stylish flare to any home. With porcelain tile, it is easy to achieve that solid, textured, rich feeling that is always preferred in a bathroom. Fairly inexpensive, waterproof and aesthetically pleasing, it is difficult to go wrong with porcelain tile. Ceramic tile is equally as lovely and because there are so many options with such tiles, creating the exact floor you have in mind is not difficult. Fortunately, both types of flooring are also easy to clean and maintain.
Natural Stone
A good choice for a bathroom, natural stone is beautiful, durable and hard. It can even help boost the resale value of your home. Natural stone tiles blend well with any decor and textured varieties are also available if you prefer a non-slip floor. Moisture problems are typically not an issue with natural stone, which is another big plus if you find this material appealing.
Vinyl Flooring: Tile, Plank, or Sheet
If you have visited a tile store in Anaheim recently, you have probably noticed that vinyl floors are both great-looking and practical. This is why vinyl has maintained its popularity as a bathroom flooring choice for decades. If you are redecorating a child’s bathroom or expect extreme amounts of water, sheet vinyl flooring is the best choice in this category. For a luxurious option, consider vinyl plank flooring. Traditional vinyl tile is also a failsafe option for almost any bathroom.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is a terrific alternative to solid wood where bathrooms are concerned, This is because of its dimensional stability. Featuring a plywood base that withstands moisture, engineered wood offers you the best of both worlds: it looks genuine, due to its authentic hardwood veneer, but holds up well under high moisture due to the engineered wood underneath. If your heart is set on real wood, this is the best flooring choice.
Laminate Flooring
When planning to visit your local tile store in Anaheim, make sure you do not overlook laminate flooring. A traditional favorite for bathrooms, this material is made from a wood chip base over which resin-impregnated paper is installed. The laminate plank surface is actually a photograph of marble, slate, cherry, oak, or any other type of stone or wood you find appealing. It is topped with a transparent “wear layer” and its tight seams make it difficult for moisture to enter. Cost-effective and easy to clean, laminate flooring is a solid choice.
Bathroom Flooring to Avoid
As previously mentioned, not all materials work well in the bathroom. For example, solid hardwood and wall-to-wall carpeting offer little protection against moisture. Even a tiny amount of water will eventually ruin carpet or rot wood. Therefore, stick to the beautiful and practical options outlined above for a new floor you can be proud of for many years to come.
