The different criteria for choosing the right bathroom flooring
To choose the flooring for your bathroom, you should check that it meets several criteria:
- Moisture resistance: when choosing your bathroom floor, this is the most important criterion. Indeed, you must never lose sight of the fact that this room is a body of water, the impermeability of the ground is therefore essential.
- Wear resistance : it is not necessary to have a floor designed for heavy traffic. In fact, we generally walk barefoot in this room and the ground is not subjected to repeated passages.
- Non-slip: this criterion is important to avoid slipping when leaving the shower or the bath and to ensure better safety in the bathroom. Even if you find them to be very aesthetic, beware of smooth tiles, as they are very slippery. Mosaic tiles are the least slippery.
- Stain resistance : it is better to choose a floor that is resistant enough to different stains. Cream, foundation or any other cosmetic product can be spilled, the floor can be subjected to splashes of shampoo, etc. You should therefore be able to wash it off easily.
The different types of bathroom flooring
You have the option to choose from different floor coverings.
Tiling
It is the most common floor covering for the bathroom. This is due to the considerable advantages it offers for use in damp rooms.
Its advantages :
- It can be placed on different supports.
- Its maintenance is easy.
- Financially, there is something for all budgets.
- It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns to meet all your desires.
- It is a solid and lasting solution.
Its disadvantages:
- The gaskets can get dirty over time: if that’s what is holding you back in your choice, be aware that more and more brands are offering models that do not require gaskets.
- The tiles can be slippery and be the cause of falls: in this regard, check its resistance to slippage marked by an A for the most resistant while the C are the least resistant.
- The tile is very hard and if you drop something on it, like a perfume bottle, for example, it is very likely to break.
Natural stone
This is the oldest solution for bathroom flooring. However, it has gradually been replaced by tiling which is cheaper and more resistant.
Its advantages :
- It is an option that brings considerable charm to the bathroom.
- It is a resistant and durable solution.
- It is easy to maintain, just clean it with soap and water.
Its disadvantages:
- Its price is quite high.
- The support must be resistant, because this type of coating is very heavy.
- Its implementation is more complicated and must generally be carried out by a professional.
- Finally, some stones are porous and require regular treatment.
Waxed concrete
Waxed or matt concrete has experienced fairly recent success. It gives an industrial touch to your bathroom. You can use it as a floor covering, but also for walls, shower, etc. It is available in different colors.
Its advantages :
- This solution is appreciated for its aesthetic appearance.
- If it is protected with a water repellent treatment, it is very durable and you can enjoy it for a long time.
- Due to the absence of seals that can retain grime and become unsightly over the years, it is a hygienic solution.
- Its maintenance is easy.
Its disadvantages:
- This solution must be implemented by a professional and, therefore, the price is quite high.
- It requires a water repellent treatment.
The floor
If, at first glance, this solution does not seem like a good idea due to the humidity of this room, we see more and more French people opting for a parquet floor in their bathroom. To do this, it is important to choose the right wood. Indeed, some woods such as teak, for example, are quite suitable for use in a damp room.
It is therefore advisable to favor an exotic wood or, possibly, retified acacia. In any case, bet on a resistant gasoline.
Its advantages :
- It is an aesthetic solution which brings a warm aspect to the room.
- We appreciate the insulating properties of wood for the bathroom.
Its disadvantages:
- This solution is rather expensive and quite fragile.
- It is not a very durable solution, because it is difficult to maintain.
- The wood may discolour if direct sunlight filters through the window.
Laminate
If you want to go with a laminate, it is important to choose a model intended for wet rooms.
Its advantages :
- The price is more affordable.
- We appreciate the wide choice of colors and patterns offered.
- It can be installed by yourself and on any floor.
Its disadvantages:
- We can blame it for a more delicate maintenance than that of the tiling, among others. Indeed, it will not be necessary to carry out washing with plenty of water.
- It tends to resonate when something falls on it, for example.
Vegetable fiber coverings
For a bathroom with natural charm, you can opt for a natural coating, such as seagrass which is rot-proof unlike the others. The humidity in the bathroom helps to keep it.
Their strengths:
- It is an easy to install solution.
- It is waterproof.
- It is a natural and ecological solution.
- It is very affordable.
Their disadvantages:
- The presence of villi makes them difficult to maintain.
- You don’t necessarily appreciate the feeling of this type of floor under bare feet.
Soft floors
It can be PVC, linoleum, vinyl, etc. You can buy it either in rolls that you will have to cut to the dimensions of the room, or in the form of tiles or slabs to assemble. PVC tiles have considerable advantages and are increasingly used. They are, among other things, more resistant than the other solutions, but must be placed on a perfectly flat surface. In all cases, your choice should be oriented towards a non-slip model and seamless to prevent water infiltration.
Their strengths:
- They are a very affordable solution.
- They come in different patterns and colors.
- The installation is quite simple.
Their disadvantages:
- If the laying surface has any defects, these will show through. These imperfections can even puncture the coating.
- It is not a very solid solution.
Carpets
Be careful, it is not a question of taking just any carpet. Indeed, some are rot-proof for use in water features. Their fibers dry very quickly and a latex underlay helps prevent infiltration problems.
Their strengths:
- Their installation is easy.
- It is a fairly comfortable solution.
Their disadvantages:
- Because you have to choose a suitable model, the price is quite high.
- The interview is quite complicated.
- It is an unsustainable solution.