Bathroom Floor Buying Guide in 2022 – Things to know when buying a new bathroom floor

Looking for a new bathroom floor but don’t know where to begin? When selecting a new floor, you want a durable, water-resistant material and low maintenance. So let’s look at different waterproof flooring ideas to see which one fits your bathroom best.

The Importance and role of your bathroom floors 

Your bathroom floor provides support and stability to your bathroom. For this reason, your floor needs to be durable and able to withstand temperature shifts. Additionally, your bathroom floor is also the floor you walk on during the day, so it must be comfortable. Lastly, your floor plays a large role in the look of your bathroom, so it must have visual flair to complement your bathroom’s aesthetic. 

Types of bathroom floor materials and options

These are the most common bathroom floor materials on the market today:

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is made by exposing clay to high temperatures until it hardens, resulting in a stronger tile than ceramic and fairly durable. As a result, porcelain has many design options, is durable, water/stain resistant, and low maintenance. It also absorbs little moisture, is easy to maintain, inexpensive to repair, and is an excellent material for those that want great aesthetics with minimal effort. 

Pros

• Look of real stone
• Easy to maintain and inexpensive to repair
• Durable
• Water and stain resistant
• Low maintenance

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy
• Brittle
• Difficult to install

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring comprises a multi-layer flooring product that is fused with lamination. The layers include a dense core of plywood or high-density fiberboard. This layer is followed up with a photo-realistic image layer to mimic any material such as wood or stone. The last layer provides a protective layer for the entire material.

Pros

• Easy DIY installation
• Can mimic other materials such as wood or stone
• Good stain resistance
• Affordable

Cons

• Susceptible to moisture damage
• Not environmentally friendly
• It cannot be refinished
• “Fake”  appearance

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is a multi-layered synthetic flooring made from plastic, fiberglass, and PVC materials. This material comes in the form of planks, tiles, or sheets that line your floor. A core layer of material comprises the primary material of the flooring with an image or material layer above it that can mimic a wide variety of looks and materials such as wood or ceramic. This top layer also protects the sublayers from any superficial damage, water, or stains. 

Pros

• Either the look of natural stone or wood
• It can be installed anywhere
• Affordable
• Straightforward installation

Cons

• High price point
• It cannot be refinished
• Not environmentally friendly

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are made using a kiln to heat clay until it hardens, making ceramic tiles softer and less dense than porcelain. The clay used is less refined, resulting in a more porous and less durable material than porcelain, providing a more affordable price tag. Ceramic tile, when glazed, is water/stain resistant has a large variety of style options, is durable, and is low maintenance. 

Pros

• Affordable
• Durable
• Less dense than porcelain
• Water and stain resistant
• Many style options
• Low maintenance

Cons

• Time-consuming install
• Requires sealing and glazing 
• Uncomfortable to walk on
• Heavy

Engineered Wood 

Binding real pieces make engineered wood of wood, scraps, and shredded fibers to create a product that looks and acts like wood but is more durable. Engineered wood has a plywood base, allowing it to absorb moisture better, but it’s still wood and prone to long-term damage. Engineered wood is the best option if you are sold on having wood in your bathroom but expect to replace it regularly. 

Pros

• Affordable
• Unique look
• Resale value

Cons

• Heavy maintenance
• Not durable
• Color may fade with heavy sunlight

 Concrete

Stained concrete is a concrete slab that is colored on the surface. The result is an environmentally friendly material, low maintenance, and near-limitless design flexibility and versatility. Since the process is fairly straightforward, stained concrete can be imprinted with a wide range of colors to create a custom color for your floor. In addition to the stylistic flair, it is a low-maintenance material that can weather stains, spills, dirt, and hard impacts. 

Pros

• Low maintenance
• Durable
• Can be customizable
• Eco-friendly

Cons

• Cracking
• Susceptible to moisture, requiring a seal
• Difficult to install

Cork

Cork flooring is made by using tree bark that is ground up, compressed, and formed into sheets that are bonded with resin. The material is biodegradable, and cork flooring is often made using recycled cork flooring, making it very eco-friendly.

Pros

• Soft cushioned surface
• Hypoallergenic
• Eco-friendly
• Can be refinished
• Good insulator
• Easy to install and maintain

Cons

• Requires water sealing
• Vulnerable to impacts and heavy furniture
• Easily damaged by pets
• More susceptible to damage

Natural Stone

Natural stone flooring uses natural stones such as marble, granite, and limestone to cut directly into the tile. This style is incredibly popular because of its natural beauty, high durability, and high resale value to your home. In addition, stone tile has excellent heat retention and is easy to maintain, replace, and repair. The material is also highly water and temperature-resistant, making it ideal for the bathroom. 

Pros

• Durable
• High-quality material
• Water-resistant
• Comfortable to walk on
• Excellent heat retention
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Expensive
• Can chip, stain, and crack if not properly cared for

Current bathroom floor trends 

These are the most popular bathroom floor trends of 2022:

Material

• Waterproof Vinyl
• Bathroom Tile
• Waterproof Laminate
• Sheet Vinyl
• Waterproof Carpet

Look

• Wood Look
• Stencil Designs
• Marble

Design

• Herringbone
• Chevron
• Subway
• Hexagon
• Large Format
• Geometric

Finishes

• Wirebrushed
• Distressed
• Handscraped
• Smooth
• Matte

Popular bathroom floor colors of 2022

• White
• Blonde/Wood
• Cool-Blue
• Slate
• Black/white
• Grey

General costs of bathroom floors

The average cost of installing new flooring is between $150-3,600. Installing tile flooring costs between $10-15 per square foot, but you can find cheaper material for around $3-4 per square foot. So the cost of your floor will largely depend on the material you’ve chosen.

Best bathroom floors for every room

Master Bath

Your master bath should be stylish and have the highest quality flooring. Options such as Marble tile and SPC vinyl floors are great as they provide the best waterproof solutions while enhancing your bathroom’s aesthetic. Natural stone is another popular option, as you can further enhance the luxurious feel of the bathroom space. 

Guest

Guest bathrooms are not as busy as the other rooms, so you can make a statement with your flooring. Utilize luxury or color materials to create unique tile patterns or mosaics. Or, you can use hardwood to create a unique space for your guests and make your home feel more rustic.

High traffic

High-traffic floors require a durable material that is also low maintenance. Vinyl is a great choice as it is designed for commercial spaces and can take heavy punishment. Alternatively, you have both porcelain and ceramic tiles as they require little maintenance, are waterproof when sealed, and can take a beating as well. Porcelain and ceramic are also much more environmentally friendly than vinyl. 

Guest

Guest bathrooms are not as busy as the other rooms, so you can make a statement with your flooring. Utilize luxury or color materials to create unique tile patterns or mosaics. Or, you can use hardwood to create a unique space for your guests and make your home feel more rustic.

Small Bathroom

Small bathrooms require flooring that can withstand humidity but are also comfortable. Ceramic and porcelain tile are great options here, providing a durable material that can be easily installed and is water resistant when sealed. 

Kids

Kids are messy and are bound to cause spills and splashes, so you need a durable, waterproof material. Vinyl floors provide a heavy-duty option that will age as your children do. Vinyl is moisture resistant and can also weather a great deal of punishment. Alternatively, porcelain or ceramic tile is great for withstanding heavy traffic.

High traffic

High-traffic floors require a durable material that is also low maintenance. Vinyl is a great choice as it is designed for commercial spaces and can take heavy punishment. Alternatively, you have both porcelain and ceramic tiles, which require little maintenance, are waterproof when sealed, and can take a beating. Porcelain and ceramic are also much more environmentally friendly than vinyl.  

Upgrades to your floors 

Here are some of the most common ways you can upgrade your bathroom flooring:

Heating

Your bathroom floors can be upgraded with radiant heating systems. Radiant heating systems utilize either heated water or electricity to provide heating through your floor.  The heat is quiet and hidden from view, making it a good alternative to standard HVAC heating systems.

Waterproofing

Your flooring should be sealed with silicone to prevent moisture from penetrating the material. Your bathroom is heavily saturated with moisture, so it’s important to waterproof the material to prevent any dangerous substances such as mold from occurring.  

Bathroom Floor Plan Example

You can find an example of a Bathroom plan, here.

What to consider when choosing your bathroom floors 

1. Durability

Note the durability of the material. A high-traffic bathroom floor must be durable to heavy impacts and resistant to moisture. A seldom-used bathroom doesn’t need to be as durable, but it is advised that you find the flooring that can be durable long-term.

2. Waterproof

A bathroom will see a lot of humidity, so waterproofing or water resistance is essential. Seek out material that is resistant to moisture and if not, ensure that it is adequately sealed against moisture before using.

3. Maintenance

Consider the maintenance of the material you choose. As a general rule, more affordable materials will require maintenance, whereas more expensive materials will require significantly less maintenance.

4. Installation

Installation costs can be expensive, so choose a material that is easy to DIY and does not require moving fixtures. 

5. Overall cost

Materials can be expensive, so always consider your budget before purchasing. Some materials have a low initial cost but a high long-term cost, whereas others will be expensive but have low upkeep costs. It is essential to consider all these factors before choosing a suitable material.

6. Safety

Consider the safety of those in your home. Vinyl or laminate can be slippery materials, especially in bathrooms. Consider adding textured materials such as rugs to prevent accidents.