How to cover the floor in the bathroom: types and features of flooring

Thinking about which floor in the bathroom is better, many people proceed from practical considerations. And this is quite justified. High humidity, constant contact with water, temperature changes - all these are the most important factors that you should pay attention to when choosing a floor covering.

Decorating a bathroom is a big responsibility. But with special care, you should approach the choice of flooring, because it is so easy, for example, to slip on a wet surface or experience discomfort when standing on it with bare feet.

To finish the floor in the bathroom, use only moisture-resistant materials

So that the floor in the bathroom does not cause inconvenience, it must be chosen, taking into account the following characteristics:

Moisture resistance. This is the most basic indicator, thanks to which the material can last longer, while maintaining an attractive appearance.
Safety. The floor must not slip if water gets on it, as this may cause injury.
Ease of maintenance. The material should be easy to clean. The ideal option is the ability to carry out wet cleaning without all kinds of detergents. Thus, you do not have to spend hours wielding a brush and a rag to wash the stain.
Environmental friendliness. Not the last role is played by the absence of harmful secretions that adversely affect human health.
Aesthetics. This is what you pay special attention to. The floor covering should be beautiful and original. A big role in this is played by the quality of the material and finish, as well as compliance with the overall style of the room.
Durability. If all of the above criteria are met when choosing a floor covering, then it will last a long time.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of a wide variety of materials for flooring in the bathroom. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Linoleum for the bathroom

This type of coating is the most inexpensive option for finishing the bathroom. Among its merits are:

a wide variety of colors;
excellent moisture resistance;
ease of care;
ease and convenience of installation.

Despite the apparent advantages, linoleum is rarely used recently. This is due to the fact that the material has serious drawbacks. So, when laying, it is necessary to ensure that there are no gaps between the screed and the linoleum, where water can penetrate. Subsequently, this can lead to the formation of fungus, mold and unpleasant odors.

It is better to lay linoleum in one continuous sheet, while sealing the edges with high quality.

It is also worth noting that when moisture gets on the linoleum, it becomes slippery, which is very traumatic.

Ceramic floor tiles

For many years, ceramic tiles have been the traditional and most sought-after material for flooring in the bathroom. The tile is durable, hard, does not deform under loads, is not afraid of the negative effects of moisture, is easy to install, can be partially replaced and is well cleaned. It is made from ordinary clay, so it is absolutely non-toxic.

Some manufacturers create entire collections, which include wall, floor tiles and borders.

Ceramic tiles are distinguished by an endless variety of colors and shapes: they can be smooth, textured, matte, mirror, imitate any natural and artificial materials. Thanks to a wide variety of colors and shades, it fits perfectly into any design, emphasizing it and setting spectacular accents.

There are a lot of colors and textures in ceramic tiles.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting that the floor surface is too cold, which in some cases makes its use uncomfortable. In addition, moisture can penetrate into poorly sealed seams. In this case, the screed will begin to collapse, the seams will darken, the tile base will become loose. But, if you follow the development of technology and use moisture-resistant grouts, you should not be afraid of such moments.

Floor cladding with porcelain stoneware

If you do not know how to cover the floor in the bathroom, then pay attention to porcelain tile. This material is considered the most relevant for the bathroom. Experts point to its strength, reliability, durability and ideal external data. In terms of properties, it is similar to ceramic tiles, only more durable (it cannot be chipped, as on ceramics).

The surface of porcelain stoneware is not afraid of mechanical damage

Porcelain stoneware has a huge number of colors. You can choose a material both smooth and with a certain texture or imitating marble, granite, wood, fabric, clay, stone, etc.

For the floor in the bathroom, it is better to use porcelain stoneware with a relief or rough surface that does not slip even when wet.

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a cold material, but this problem can be solved by installing a “warm floor”.

Natural wood bathroom floor

Some people, adherents of everything natural, prefer wood. It can be a massive board or parquet. However, not every breed is equally good for a wet room. Ideal options are larch and teak wood. The tree must be treated with moisture-resistant impregnation and several layers of varnish.

Teak floor for your bathroom

The wooden floor gives the room a warm and cozy look. The main disadvantage is the lack of resistance to mechanical damage. Small scratches and dents from heavy objects easily appear on it.

Decorative waterproof laminate flooring

Moisture resistant laminate is a good alternative to natural wood. It is beautiful, durable, easy to fit and many times cheaper than parquet. Problems can only arise when moisture penetrates through the seams. As a result, the panel will begin to deform and the floor will become embossed. In this regard, the sets of many moisture-resistant laminates include special rubberized seams that must be laid in the grooves between the boards. This will prevent moisture from penetrating the floor screed.

A non-professional consumer can easily distinguish a waterproof laminate from a conventional one by the green color of the HDF board.

Waterproof laminate

Self-leveling floor in the bathroom

Such a floor looks like linoleum, and to the touch - glossy tiles. It differs from other floor coverings in the complete absence of gaps and seams. Increased adhesion rates allow the material to adhere firmly to any base. Complete moisture resistance, complete sealing, chemical resistance - this is what is important for any bathroom.

Bulk floor - a great solution for the bathroom

Unfortunately, self-leveling floor coverings cannot boast of an abundance of color schemes. Mostly calm neutral tones (light green, beige, gray, etc.) are on sale. Yes, the choice is not very wide, but you can use special decorative effects called chips. Colored particles of acrylic paint are embedded in the thickness of the coating and give it amazing beauty and depth. You can also combine colors and decorative elements, apply logos, markings and even complex patterns.

Super modern cork floors

Cork flooring has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years. Why was there such a love for this material? Yes, because it has a lot of advantages, including:

Excellent thermal insulation. It is pleasant to walk on it with bare feet.
Springiness and elasticity. These indicators significantly extend the life of the floor. If, for example, an object falls on it, the resulting dents quickly straighten out.
Amazing color range. The market offers a huge selection of cork floors ranging from dark brown to walnut to golden yellow, in a variety of finishes and textures.
Minimum maintenance. Simply wipe it off with a damp cloth. Use of soft detergents is allowed.
The cork does not rot and is not affected by mold.

Cork flooring is durable, beautiful, hygienic and pleasant to the touch

The durability of the floor in the bathroom directly depends on the correct choice of coating. With this question, it is better to contact specialists who will not only tell you which floor is better to make in the bathroom, but also perform installation, taking into account all the features of the selected material. This will ensure that you will not regret wasted money, and the bathroom will delight you with high-quality decor for a long time.