Home and Garden Repairs

When it's time to install new bathroom flooring, ceramic tile is still a favourite, but it's not your only choice. The right flooring can mean a more stylish look in the bathroom as well as greater comfort and even an easier job cleaning the floor. Some options are even more durable than you may realize. Note a few surprising options for bathroom flooring today and then you can discuss these choices with a contractor as needed.

Carpeting

Household carpeting itself is typically not good for the bathroom, as the fibres hold excessive amounts of moisture that can lead to mould and mildew. This moisture can also get trapped under the padding and cause mould to grow.

However, there are some forms of carpeting manufactured today that are made specifically for the bathroom. These will have nylon or polyester fibres that repel water, and a solid rubber backing rather than foam, so that humidity from the shower doesn't settle under the floor. These types of carpeting are often sold in squares so you can simply adhere and pound them into place, and then replace one square at a time if an area of carpeting should suffer any type of damage.

Concrete

Concrete or cement floors won't mean that your bathroom will resemble a driveway; concrete can be painted any colour you wish or stained to look like the pattern you see in stone. A stamp on the concrete can also make it resemble individual stone tiles. Concrete is very durable and easy to clean and not likely to hold water or allow for mould or mildew growth. It's also easy to fill in cracks and then buff the surface of concrete if and when it does get damaged or for when you want to have new paint or stain applied for an updated look.

Laminate

Laminate looks like wood but is much more dense than wood, so it won't be as likely to absorb moisture and then expand and shrink, as does real wood. As wood goes through this expansion and shrinking cycle, slats may pull away from the walls or from each other, and they may also warp or curve. Glued laminate is especially good for bathrooms as the glue helps to provide a tight seal between slats and pieces, protecting the subfloor from moisture. Avoid laminate that only locks into place, as this may be easier to install but allows for small gaps between slats that can allow in water and moisture.