Aside from the shower installation and fixture choices you make when remodeling a bathroom, one of the biggest things you’ll have to decide is what material you should use as your bathroom flooring. There are dozens of different materials to choose from, each with dozens of its own colors, patterns and characteristics.
The challenge is not really on whether or not you have options, but rather on which option you should go with. You can make things a little bit easier by considering three main criteria:
- Water resistance
- Grip
- Aesthetics
Below, our bathroom remodelers at The Bathroom Store have compiled a list of the top flooring options that meet these three criteria to help you decide which ones are best suited for your project.
Small Tiles
When it comes to bath renovation jobs, small tiles remain to be the most popular choice among many homeowners, and for good reason. Bathroom tiles can be made from a number of different materials, whether it’s porcelain or stone, all of which meet the three criteria that make for a good bathroom flooring option.
Small tiles are typically the number one choice for walk-in showers because they provide excellent grip even under wet conditions. Porcelain tiles, in particular, are also non-porous, which means they can withstand constant exposure to water and high humidity levels, two things that shower areas are known for. If you choose to go with stone tiles, choose the sealed options as these offer good water resistance as well.
Styling for Small Tiles
Consider using a pebble stone floor for your walk-in showers. Their natural beauty brings a certain “earthiness” that can make your bathroom feel like a spa. The only drawback to this material is that they require more grout than regular cut tiles. Choose sealed pebble floors to minimize potential water penetration and to make the floors last longer.
Homeowners who prefer their bathroom remodel to have traditional porcelain tiles can also achieve great grip and aesthetics by choosing smaller sizes. The small size will mean that, like pebbled floors, you will need more grout, however, the benefits it adds to grip, even under extremely wet conditions, cannot be understated. Travertine seems to be the most optimal choice for use in walk-in shower floors.
Using Wood for Bathroom Floors
Of course, porcelain and ceramic top the list of options as the best material for use in a bathroom. As mentioned, pebbles and tumbled travertine also perform well in terms of the criteria and deserve consideration.
Surprisingly, one more material that seems to pique the interest of many designers and homeowners is wood. Wood, of course, is naturally porous and performs poorly when exposed to moisture, but sealed and finished wood floors have mostly addressed these disadvantages. For a more stylish bathroom look, consider using teak or bamboo mats for your walk-in shower. The biggest drawback to using wooden bathroom floors is that they require massive amounts of maintenance and cleaning. Thankfully, most modern wood options come in slatted patterns. This helps it drain better during use and can be removed during cleaning.
Another surprise entry is grass. Natural grass floors have been slowly gaining a following in recent years and, although they don’t technically belong in the same category as wood, they can also be a good alternative if you’re looking to give your bathroom a unique look. Grass drains water perfectly and retains very little moisture. They must be installed by a professional installer, however, in order to maximize their benefits.
Stone Shower Tiles
Like wood, stone has long been out of use in shower installation projects mainly because of its porousness. Like wood, sealed stone has more than covered this known weakness. Stone slate tiles are a great choice for both walk-in showers and general bathroom use.
Pebbled floors evoke the same natural aesthetic as grass floors and, when installed correctly, can also perform just as well. Their texture helps users grip them well even when wet. All in all, they are a good anti-slip floor for aging-in-place designs, despite their rugged appearance.
If your mind is set to using stone tiles, however, avoid marble floors in a bathroom at all costs. Marble performs poorly under wet conditions, and sealing them doesn’t seem to give the best results. They are also extremely slippery when wet, making them a bad choice for safety reasons. Lastly, compared to other stone tile materials, marble chips and scratches easily. If you must use marble floors, which, it bears mentioning again, is not recommended, use the smallest size of tiles as possible to improve the grip with added grout lines. Marble polish can also help reduce scratching and protect it against water.
How Much Do Bathroom Floors Cost?
It’s not surprising that the best option for your shower remodel is the most expensive one. Stone tiles and their installation can be expensive initially, but consider the value they add to your home and their great functionality, and you can easily justify their price.
Marble, despite its poor ratings, comes in at a close second. Considering that the cost of marble bathroom floors are about the same as sealed slate, it would be a better investment to choose slate instead.
Porcelain tiles can vary in price in bath renovation projects. The higher the quality you want, the more expensive it gets. If you choose to go with porcelain or ceramic tiles, don’t skimp out on price. Some of the more high-end porcelain tiles can even match stone tiles in both cost, quality, and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Floors
- Should You Tile Your Bathroom Ceiling?
The choice of whether you can use the same tiles for your ceiling is purely an aesthetic choice and will depend on your own personal preferences. - Are Acrylic Showers a Good Choice?
Older models of acrylic showers can look cheap despite being an excellent choice for walk-in showers. Stick to newer and more modern designs to get both the improvement on performance and appeal. - Are Pebbled Floors Slippery?
When cleaned regularly, pebbled floors offer great grip and safety, thanks to the number of grout lines needed to install them. Use a water-resistant cement-like Portland to ensure better performance in the wet environment of a bathroom.
DIY Bathroom Floors
There is a lot that goes into installing floors for your bathroom remodel. While it might first seem like this could be an easy do-it-yourself project, it’s always a good idea to let a professional handle it. The end result will always look better and you will also maximize the benefits of whatever material you choose for your shower and bathroom floor.
Installing bathroom floor tiles can be a very big investment for many homeowners. Considering all the factors involved in doing this project, it’s better to leave this job to a skilled, experienced, and licensed contractor.
Explore more bathroom tiling materials, combinations, and options with the help of our professional remodelers at The Bathroom Store, your leading provider of bathroom remodeling products and services. Give us a call at (701) 223-1008 or fill out our contact form to schedule a design consultation and request a free estimate on your own bathroom retiling, installation, and renovations today.
