Choosing the flooring for specific rooms in the house primarily comes down to the material’s aesthetic appeal. However, when it comes to the best flooring for bathrooms, appearance takes second place to functionality.
The bathroom flooring must be waterproof since the room can experience moisture on a daily basis, and water can wreak havoc on the wrong flooring type.
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Bathroom Flooring Average Cost
The total cost of installing bathroom flooring depends on the size of your bathroom, the material you choose, and the existing floor condition.
On average, this project costs between $1,100 and $2,200 for a 100-square-foot bathroom, with most homeowners paying around $1,500.
Bathroom Flooring Cost Breakdown
When installing ceramic or tile flooring, homeowners should expect to pay between $3 and $27 per square foot for the materials.
Custom tiles can go up to $60 per square foot. The typical labor cost is from $4 to $8 per square foot.
Tile flooring installation for natural stone can range from $3 to $38 for the materials and $5 to $12 for the labor, depending on which stone type is used.
As for vinyl flooring, the material is by far the cheapest option. It typically costs between $1 and $4 per square foot.
Some vinyl flooring is DIY-friendly.
For those who aren’t handy around the house, homeowners should hire professional contractors who usually charge from $2 to $10 per square foot to to install the vinyl flooring, depending on the project’s complexity.
What Type Of Flooring Is Best For Bathrooms?
Bathroom flooring can catch errant water from the sink, a misty shower, or an overflowing toilet.
For this reason, water resistance is the main consideration for bathroom flooring.
Naturally, this means that waterproof flooring materials are the best for bathrooms.
Waterproof materials are impervious to water and moisture.
They also prevent mold and mildew from developing.
Did you know? There’s a significant difference between waterproof and water-resistant flooring materials in bathrooms. As the name suggests, water-resistant flooring will resist water for a while. However, water will eventually penetrate the flooring if there is constant moisture and humidity, causing it to swell, warp, or peel. Once the water-resistant flooring is damaged, it can’t be repaired, forcing homeowners to replace it.
Waterproof flooring options include only hard surfaces since softer surfaces like carpets would trap water.
Let’s examine the best bathroom flooring materials in more detail.
| Flooring Type | Average Material Cost per Square Foot | Average Labor Cost per Square Foot | Average Total Cost for a 40-Square-Foot Bathroom | Average Total Cost for a 100-Square-Foot Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic/ Porcelain Tile | $2-$27 | $3-$7 | $200-$1,360 | $500-$3,400 |
| Natural Stone | $3-$38 | $5-$12 | $320-$2,000 | $800-$5,000 |
| Vinyl | $1-$4 | $2-$10 | $120-$560 | $300-$1,400 |
| Stained Concrete | $1-$10 | $2-$5 | $120-$600 | $300-$1,500 |
| Engineered Wood | $1-$8 | $2-$4 | $120-$480 | $300-$1,200 |
| Cork | $2-$10 | $2-$4 | $160-$560 | $400-$1,400 |
Ceramic And Porcelain Tile Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular choices for bathroom flooring across the U.S., and for a good reason.
Besides being waterproof, these tiles are resilient, available in various colors and designs, and relatively affordable.
Of the two types, porcelain tiles absorb less water.
The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) certifies tiles as porcelain if they have a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less.
These tiles can even handle pools of standing water, making them an excellent choice for showers. However, their water absorption rate also makes porcelain tiles unnecessary in half-bathrooms and powder rooms with no bathing facilities.
Regarding design, ceramic and porcelain tiles allow for a high level of customization.
They are available in various colors, textures, sizes, and shapes, from simple square tiles to elaborate mosaic designs.
The latter are usually pre-mounted on plastic sheets to avoid setting each tile individually.
Some ceramic tiles can even mimic the appearance of wood.
This is excellent news for homeowners who like wood’s timeless look but can’t use it for bathroom flooring due to its poor water resistance. Also, homeowners who like natural stone flooring but can’t afford it should look for ceramic tiles of similar appearance and texture.
Tiles also don’t absorb germs and can be cleaned easily, making them a great option for sterile environments.
As great as ceramic and porcelain tiles are for bathrooms, they also have some downsides.
The biggest downside of these tiles is that they can get slippery when wet.
Since a wet bathroom is a rule rather than an exception, this flooring type can be dangerous.
Most hard surface flooring materials are slippery, but many people consider tiles the most slippery surface as they are frequently baked to a smooth finish.
Pro Tip: To minimize the risk of slipping on porcelain or ceramic tiles, use tiles with a textured surface to provide better traction. Alternatively, choose smaller tiles since these tiles require more grout. The grout will, then, act as a non-skid surface.
Another downside to ceramic or porcelain tiles is that they are cold to the touch. As a result, standing on them for extended periods can be somewhat uncomfortable.
Luckily, this issue can be resolved by installing radiant heating tiles under the flooring to warm it.
What’s more, porcelain and ceramic tiles are the perfect choices for homeowners who want a bathroom with heated flooring.
Natural Stone Flooring
Natural stone is an excellent, high-end choice for bathroom flooring.
It has many of the same advantages as ceramic and porcelain tiles: it’s waterproof, resilient to wear and tear, and available in various colors and patterns.
Natural stone also comes in several shapes. You can choose between tiles, planks, and mosaics.
Like ceramic and porcelain tiles, smaller mosaics are backed with a mesh that holds the smaller pieces together.
In addition, stone flooring comes in multiple varieties, depending on the stone type used.
The best stone types for flooring include the following:
- Travertine. When installed correctly, travertine is the most durable stone type for bathroom flooring. It’s also exceptionally slip-resistant. Travertine flooring oozes elegance and will give character to any bathroom.
- Granite. Granite is a flexible flooring choice that can suit various home aesthetics. It’s available in a wide range of colors, from striking purple shades to more muted grey options. Granite is incredibly durable and resistant to wear and tear. As a result, it can also be used in the home’s higher-traffic areas like the hallway.
- Marble. Marble flooring makes any room more sophisticated and elegant, and bathrooms are no exception. It also comes in various shades but is less durable than granite. For this reason, it isn’t ideal for higher-traffic rooms.
- Slate. Slate is a more affordable natural stone flooring option. It will give a unique look to any bathroom. Slate is resistant to water but can be damaged by acidic substances. So, you should be mindful of the cleaning solutions you use in the bathroom with this type of flooring
- Limestone. Limestone is the perfect flooring type for homeowners going for a more rustic look. It comes in many tones, including nearly white varieties. It also comes in different textures, some of which closely resemble marble.
Regardless of the stone type you choose, natural stone exudes an air of luxury and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing bathroom flooring options.
It also returns an excellent resale value.
As great as natural stone is, it also has a few disadvantages worth mentioning.
For starters, this flooring type is rather pricey.
In fact, it’s one of the most expensive flooring options overall, not just for bathrooms. After all, stone is a natural material and, thus, a limited resource.
Besides the higher initial cost, natural stone flooring is more expensive to maintain than other flooring types.
The higher maintenance costs result from the natural stone having to be resealed periodically to protect its finish and prevent the penetration of moisture and debris.
Softer stone types like limestone and travertine must be resealed every two to three years. Harder stones like granite and marble can last up to five years before needing the same treatment.
Furthermore, installing natural stone flooring isn’t a DIY-friendly project. This project requires some highly-specific skills and knowledge.
For instance, an experienced contractor should be familiar with each stone type’s characteristics and structure, which dictates how the material is applied to the base and which adhesive to use.
And finally, natural stone can be slippery and cold, just like ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Luckily, homeowners can mitigate these two issues by choosing stones with rougher surfaces and installing underfloor heating, respectively.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is among the more affordable bathroom flooring options.
It’s important to note that there isn’t a single vinyl flooring option.
Instead, vinyl encompasses various product configurations.
The two most popular vinyl compositions for bathroom flooring are as follows:
- Wood plastic composite (WPC). WPC is a rigid vinyl flooring product made with a wood fiber core, foam, and plastic stabilizers. WPC is the preferred vinyl flooring option due to its thickness, resilience, and flexibility.
- Stone plastic composite (SPC). SPC is a type of rigid vinyl flooring consisting of limestone mixed with polyvinyl chloride and stabilizers.
Both options are 100% waterproof, making them ideal for wet areas like bathrooms.
They are also scratch-resistant and durable, like most vinyl products.
Vinyl flooring comes in several design options, mimicking other floor materials.
Most homeowners choose wooden planks but can also go for sheets, stone, or ceramic tiles.
In addition, homeowners can choose one of the many available colors and patterns to match the floor to the overall bathroom aesthetics.
Pro Tip: If you want to install the vinyl flooring on your own, you should purchase vinyl sheets. Installing this vinyl flooring type is virtually effortless. Plus, sheet flooring is the best choice for rooms that get extremely wet, making it perfect for your children’s bathroom.
As practical and durable as vinyl is, it can cause some issues for homeowners.
Specifically, it can develop bumps, curls, or gaps over time.
Vinyl is also vulnerable to sharp objects.
To make matters worse, it’s almost impossible to repair after being pierced by such an object.
Other Good Bathroom Flooring Options
There are a few options that aren’t 100% waterproof but generally withstand moisture well enough to serve as a good bathroom flooring option.
Stained Concrete Flooring
Concrete flooring is usually found in homes with slab foundations.
In these cases, homeowners simply stain and finish the concrete floor.
Then, it can be dyed, polished, or painted to achieve a modern aesthetic.
Of course, you can always have a concrete slab poured over your bathroom floor if it isn’t concrete to begin with.
Concrete flooring isn’t waterproof by default. However, if you properly seal it, it becomes impervious to water damage and lasts a lifetime.
Installing stained concrete flooring isn’t a DIY type of project. After all, it involves acid-etching the concrete to prepare it for staining.
In addition, the project usually includes extensive filling, grinding, and patching.
Still, stained concrete is a relatively inexpensive yet visually striking option for bathroom flooring.
It comes in various finishes, each unique to this material.
However, concrete can be extremely cold to the touch, which can be mitigated by installing an underfloor heating system.
This floor option can also be slippery if finished with a smooth surface.
For this reason, many homeowners choose to leave a bit of texture when polishing the slab for traction.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Under most circumstances, mixing wood flooring and water should be avoided at all costs. Solid wood is susceptible to moisture and will likely rot, even when sealed.
However, engineered wood flooring has a plywood base, allowing it to withstand moisture significantly better than solid wood.
Therefore, this option is ideal for homeowners who insist on having wood flooring in the bathroom.
Engineered wood is almost indistinguishable from solid wood due to its top layer, which is made of authentic hardwood veneer.
Of course, this layer makes it prone to some damage in the bathroom, like any wood product.
However, engineered wood has to be sanded as part of regular maintenance. As a result, you’ll eventually penetrate through the veneer layer that gives this flooring option its authenticity.
Did you know? Not all wood-simulating flooring options work well in a bathroom. For this reason, avoid installing laminate flooring. Laminate doesn’t have a solid wood top layer. It is entirely made of materials that aren’t water-resistant, let alone waterproof. As a result, minor spills can lead to floor swelling or warping.
Cork Flooring
Cork is the ideal bathroom flooring material for homeowners who value sustainability above all.
Besides being eco-friendly, this flooring material has a few advantages that have contributed to its popularity.
Cork flooring is significantly warmer and softer than all other bathroom flooring options.
As a result, it’s highly comfortable underfoot and can help relieve the strain of standing in the bathroom for a long time.
Cork is also naturally textured, making it a non-slippery material.
Besides protecting household members from slipping, the textured surface makes the bathroom flooring look more unique since it features beautiful patterns.
Cork flooring is relatively affordable and an excellent option for a DIY-savvy homeowner.
However, cork flooring isn’t waterproof, so homeowners must reseal it every two years to protect it from moisture.
Also, this material is less durable than other flooring options and can get dented or scratched more easily.
Is Bathroom Flooring Also Good For Kitchens?
Due to its necessity in cooking and dishwashing, water is a crucial consideration when selecting kitchen flooring as well.
For this reason, most bathroom flooring will also be suitable for kitchens.
However, keep in mind that kitchens usually experience higher foot traffic than bathrooms. Therefore, they require a more durable and resistant flooring option.
These flooring types will suit kitchens particularly well:
- Tile flooring. Tiles are a durable material, perfect for high-traffic areas. They are also easy to maintain. Thanks to various materials and designs, tiles offer homeowners many options for customization.
- Vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is quite forgiving, so homeowners don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping a dish. Vinyl is stain-proof, waterproof, and easy to clean. It comes in various styles and colors, allowing homeowners to achieve their desired look for the kitchen.
- Cork flooring. Cork flooring has only recently gained popularity for kitchen flooring. This option is more comfortable and offers a more unique appearance. However, homeowners are primarily choosing cork flooring for its sustainability. Plus, this eco-friendly material is relatively affordable.
Is Vinyl Or Laminate Flooring Better For Bathrooms?
Vinyl flooring is better for bathrooms.
While these two options can be visually indistinguishable, laminate features a wood chip base. If water penetrates the base, the material will bubble up and eventually require a replacement.
This makes laminate inferior to vinyl for bathroom flooring applications.
What Is The Best Floor For A Small Bathroom?
A small bathroom requires less material and labor, making it less expensive to remodel.
For this reason, homeowners can purchase costlier materials and play with designs and patterns to make the space look bigger.
If you aren’t up for experimentation and spending extra dollars, you can buy vinyl sheets.
What Is The Most Durable Waterproof Flooring?
Vinyl is the most durable waterproof flooring for bathrooms.
Pro Tip: Avoid purchasing peel-and-stick vinyl tiles for bathroom flooring. Although these tiles are made from the same material as sheet vinyl flooring, they are designed to be temporary solutions. As such, they can’t even come close to the sheet vinyl’s longevity.
Set the Foundation For Your Dream Bathroom
Thanks to the variety of styles, designs, colors, and textures, you can easily find the ideal flooring to start your bathroom building or remodeling right.
All the options outlined in this article will serve you well.
Hence, the final decision boils down to your budget, aesthetic preferences, and compatibility with the rest of the home.
