15 Best Floor Options for your Bathrooms: Check Out What We Like.

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Most of us spend at least two – three times a day in a bathroom and it has been part of how we go about our daily lives. It is important then to make sure that each part of our bathrooms plays its role well to make our every experience feel excellent.

When choosing a material for your bathroom floors, there are a couple of criteria you should consider looking at. Here are things you should consider when looking for a bathroom flooring material.

• Waterproof or High Water Resistance – Since all bathrooms are exposed to a lot of water and moisture, the floor should have high water resistance. You want to contain water and prevent it from passing through that could cause damages to other parts of your house.
• Durable – It should not break easily and be strong enough to withstand any type of abuse that can possibly happen inside a bathroom. The more durable the material, the fewer chances we have to spend on repairs.
• Low-Maintenance – Any type of material that is low-maintenance and easy to clean, including bathroom floors, is very beneficial for you. The less time you need to spend to clean it or to do its regular maintenance, the better.
• Non-slip – Since bathrooms will be mostly wet and we’ll usually be walking on it barefooted, it is essential for your safety that the floors are non-slip or non-slippery. It should have good traction even when wet.
• Cost – Depending on your budget the range of materials you could choose from may be more or fewer. Not all materials cost the same. Some will be on a higher price point than others.
• Style or Beauty – The floor should suit the style of your bathroom or your home. You’ll be spending a lot of time in this room, and aesthetics or style plays a big role in the whole experience. You don’t want to have an ugly bathroom so choose a floor that will enhance and complement the look of the room.

With all these criteria in mind, in no particular order, below are 15 best floor options you can use for your bathrooms.

Below I’ve condensed all the best floor options you can use for your bathrooms in a table. I’ve also assigned a score for each of the important characteristics you need to consider when choosing the right floor. 1 being the lowest while 5 the highest. The scores listed are based on my professional experience.

Material	Water Resistance	Durable	Low-Maintenance	Non-slip	Cost	Beauty
1. Ceramic Tiles	5	3	5	3	$$	3
2. Porcelain Tiles	5	4	5	4	$$$	4
3. Natural Stones	5	5	4	5	$$$$$	5
4. WPC Vinyl Flooring	5	4	5	5	$$	4
5. SPC Vinyl Flooring	5	5	5	5	$$	4
6. Linoleum Flooring	2	4	3	2	$$$	2
7. Cork Flooring	3	4	3	5	$$$	4
8. Engineered Hardwood	3	3	2	4	$$$$	5
9. Engineered Bamboo Flooring	3	4	2	4	$$$	5
10. Water Resistant Laminate Flooring	3	3	3	3	$$	3
11. Poured and Sealed Concrete Flooring	5	5	5	5	$$$	3
12. Pebble Washout or Exposed Aggregates Flooring	5	5	5	4	$$$$	4
13. Terrazzo Flooring	5	5	5	5	$$$$$	5
14. Epoxy Floor Coating	5	5	5	5	$$$$	5
15. Recycled Glass Tile Flooring	5	5	5	5	$$$$$	5

1. Ceramic Tiles

You know them simply as tiles but there are actually two general types of tiles, ceramic and porcelain. I’ve decided to separate them on the list as they are different in some aspects. While both types of tiles are made from a mixture of water and clay minerals, the processes that were done to each is different, giving them different qualities.

Ceramic tiles are a good option for bathroom floors. They are almost 100% waterproof which is good. If installed properly, it will not allow water to penetrate to your subfloor that could cause damage.

They come in a variety of colors, and textures that you can choose from. There are tiles that mimic the look of real wood and real stone. They are a lot cheaper and affordable than natural wood or natural stone too. These can be a more durable and cheaper alternative to those kinds of materials if you’re looking for those kinds of look.

They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can choose from square tiles, plank sizes, hexagonal, or even octagonal.

While porcelain tiles are at the high-end of the tiles price-point, ceramic tiles are at the lower end. It isn’t as dense or as hard as porcelain tiles but it will last for many years as long as you maintain it properly.

If you want a denser and harder tile, go for porcelain tiles instead. It can withstand much more force before breaking compared to ceramic tiles.

Maintaining ceramic tiles are actually easy. A quick sweeping or an occasional wet scrubbing with soap and water will do. Just avoid using very harsh cleaning chemicals especially to some of the cheaper tiles, as it can easily thin out the surface protection and will make the tile more porous.

If for some reason a tile breaks, it’s easy to replace it. The only problem with this though is that a lot of ceramic tiles change their product lines fast that you might have a hard time looking for the same look or style of the tile you need replacing because the product line became obsolete.

Tiling a new floor from scratch, it is often wise to buy at least 10% more the number of tiles you need. That way you would have extra tiles on hand just in case you need to replace a broken one.

It is however, not a DIY friendly material. There are a lot of skills needed to set the tiles to your floors properly but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn to do it on your own of course. It will just take some time to learn it. Most of the time, you’d need to hire a professional tile setter to do this for you.

Ceramic tiles can be slippery at times especially when wet. You could choose a textured style to have better traction. Another option is to use smaller tiles, that way you have more grout lines, which can also help with adding traction to the floor.

Tiles are hard and cold to the touch, and you’ll feel this more barefoot during winter. An underfloor heating system can be installed to address this though.

2. Porcelain Tiles

As mentioned in the ceramic tiles section, both porcelain and ceramic tiles are almost the same except for the process of how they were made. Porcelain tiles do offer better qualities than ceramic tiles and they are considered more superior than the other.

They both have high water resistance. They both are available in a variety of size, color, and styles. And they are both easy to clean and maintain.

What makes porcelain tiles better than ceramic tiles is its hardness. Porcelain tiles are denser and harder than ceramic tiles. These make them more durable than ceramic tiles and would last longer.

Most porcelain tiles are also made with extra precision, which makes it possible to set them with thinner grout lines which looks better than the thicker grout lines you do with ceramic tiles.

There are also better textures and colors available with porcelain tiles.

They will be on a higher price point though as compared to the cost of ceramic tiles but the cost is worth it.

Among the floor materials listed here, this is one of my favorite materials I usually choose in bathrooms as they are very durable and usually fit within the budget. The wide range of styles that are available makes it also ideal to use for any type of design style.

3. Natural Stones

Natural stones have been used as a building finish both for interior and exterior applications. They look elegant and can bring a touch of luxury into any space. Natural stones such as marble, granite, travertine, or limestone can be good floors to use for bathrooms. They are very hard and durable and will last a lifetime.

Natural stones are porous and will need to be sealed and resealed every 5-10 years. Stone sealers will prevent natural stones from acquiring stains. They won’t get damaged by water, even if they are not sealed, but it will leave an unsightly stain on the surface if you allow it to absorb liquid. A sealed stone also makes it waterproof, and will not allow water to pass through.

Aside from the need of resealing it, cleaning and maintaining natural stones is fairly easy. A quick clean of soap and water will usually do.

What makes natural stones so unique and beautiful are the natural occurring pattern they make. They can be cut to any size and shape. You can have them in a slab as long as a 3 meters or in a standard 60cm x 60cm tile size.

They do cost more upfront but the investment will be worth it. They also have an excellent resale value.

They can be cold to the touch but an underfloor heating system can be installed to address this.

They can be slippery if made too smooth but you can have it textured, or honed to give it texture and a bit of traction.

It will be difficult to DIY natural stones if you don’t have the skills for it. Most of the time you will need to hire a professional to install these for you.

4. WPC vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring comes in many forms but for bathroom floors, I’ve chosen to include WPC Vinyl Flooring and SPC Vinyl Flooring on this list.

Vinyl flooring is available in sheets, planks, or tiles. They are also sometimes called Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP). They are all 100% waterproof and will not get damaged by water or get stained. And any of them can be used as bathroom floors.

WPC and SPC refer to the core of the vinyl floor. Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) vinyl flooring has a core made from recycled wood chips mixed with plastic composites while Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) has a core made from various stone chips mixed with plastic composites.

WPC vinyl flooring, just like any vinyl floor, is 100% waterproof. Water will not damage them, even when submerged for a long time.

Its WPC core makes it resilient, flexible, and softer to walk on as opposed to the very rigid SPC core. This doesn’t make them less good though, and is still very durable and will not get damaged so easily. Some people prefer a WPC core better because of how it softer it feels when walked on.

Dents, and piercing may do occur if a very sharp object hits them. Once they get pierced, it will be hard to fix it unless you completely replace the damaged tile or plank.

WPC vinyl flooring is available in many colors and styles and they are known to have good wood or stone look. They can be a good alternative to natural wood or natural stone if you want to go for that look and budget is an issue. They are also cheaper than porcelain tiles.

Vinyl flooring is not as cold to the touch as tiles or stone and usually stays much closer to room temperature. It’s more pleasant to walk on barefooted. Also, most vinyl flooring has good traction when you walk on it even when wet.

It’s easy to install and you can actually DIY this. A utility knife is usually all you need to cut it to size.

It’s easy to maintain and clean, soap and water usually does the job. Just make sure to use mild cleaners as the wear layer can get damaged easily with harsh chemicals.

When you install it though, just make sure you have a very smooth subfloor or substrate. Since vinyl flooring is thin, any bumps or uneven surface on your subfloor can telegraph to the vinyl surface.

5. SPC Vinyl Flooring

SPC vinyl flooring is very much similar to the WPC vinyl flooring above. The difference is that SPC has a stone plastic composite core. It is more rigid, and harder than the WPC vinyl floors.

SPC vinyl flooring is better to use for bathrooms with heavy usage as they can’t get dents as easily as WPC.

They still are 100% waterproof and also have beautiful wood or stone looking styles.

Most people still prefer WPC vinyl flooring though because of how softer it is to walk on than SPC vinyl flooring. They are usually cheaper than WPC vinyl flooring though.

6. Linoleum Flooring

Not all linoleum flooring are made the same. Most of them are not suitable for bathrooms. It is water-resistant but it’s not impervious to it and can still be penetrated if the water is left standing for a long time. It is susceptible to water damage if it gets soaked in water for too long.

If however you are considering linoleum flooring in your bathrooms, go for the sheet types. Although there are linoleum tiles or click-in-place plank designs, water could get through their seams, which can damage the subfloor. A linoleum sheet is seamless and will prevent water from passing through.

Linoleum flooring is often mistaken as vinyl, although both are resilient and may look the same, linoleum flooring is 100% natural. It’s environmentally friendly and biodegradable and won’t take up space in landfills. Here’s an article about the difference between linoleum and vinyl floors if you want to learn more.

Linoleum can be slippery when wet. You can add an anti-slip mat to your bathroom floors to address this.

Linoleum flooring is also antimicrobial and will inhibit the growth of molds and mildews. It is naturally resilient and is comfortable to walk on. It is also quite durable and will last for many years. A hard and sharp object could, however, make a dent on its surface.

Cleaning is usually with soap and water, and avoid using harsh chemicals.

Not all brands and products are the same in terms of quality though and a skilled professional is usually needed to install it well in your bathrooms. You would also need to reseal linoleum periodically to continuously preserve its water-resistance. It can get water damaged if the periodic resealing maintenance is skipped.

7. Cork Flooring

Another environmentally friendly, and sustainable floor material for bathrooms is the cork flooring. It is antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and will not allow the growth of molds and mildews.

It suffers minimal heat loss, so not only it is comfortable to walk on, but it is also warm to the touch. Cork flooring is also naturally textured, making it non-slip.

Cork flooring needs to be sealed though to prevent moisture from reaching the subfloor. You also need to reseal it every couple of years to retain its moisture protection. It will warp, or become distorted though if not sealed properly so always hire a professional to do this for you.

8. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors in a wet bathroom is a very bad idea, but if you really must use wood floors, then consider using engineered hardwood floors instead.

Engineered hardwood floors are made with a plywood core and a real hardwood veneer top layer. The plywood core makes it dimensionally stable. It means that it won’t just warp or bend with temperature and humidity changes, better than solid hardwood floors.

Sealing the floor with a good sealer is very important if you’re installing engineered hardwood in your bathroom. This will create a protective barrier against water. Without the topcoat protection, the engineered hardwood will surely get damaged by water.

Resealing every few years is also important to retain its water protection.

Using engineered hardwood floors are advisable to be used only on low-usage bathrooms such as in guest rooms, to minimize its exposure to extreme moisture. It is recommended to consider other more water resistant material if the bathroom will be heavily used.

9. Engineered Bamboo Flooring

Similar to engineered hardwood floors, engineered bamboo floors are also another option if you’re looking into using wood floors. Although they are usually rated harder than engineered hardwood, engineered bamboo floors still need protection against water.

So sealing the floor and resealing every few years is very important to keep its protection against water damage.

Also, the same with engineered hardwood floors, it is advisable to use this on bathrooms that are seldom used, such as in guest rooms.

10. Water Resistant Laminate Flooring

Water-resistant laminate flooring is a cheap alternative to using engineered hardwood floors. It also performs better than solid hardwood floors in extreme moisture changes. Most laminate flooring also has great looking wood-like finishes to choose from.

Laminate flooring has a top layer that is made out of a hard plastic protective layer making it impervious to water. Although the top layer is made of plastic, it’s not entirely waterproof, it’s core is made from a particleboard wood which can still swell when exposed to water.

Using laminate flooring in bathrooms should be handled with care. Its seams are tightly connected to each other and will prevent water from getting its way down. Just make sure that there are no open seams or cracks that may get through its water sensitive wood base that could potentially damage it.

They are cheaper than engineered hardwood floors and can be an easy DIY project. Since it’s only using a high definition image as its top layer and not actual wood, laminate flooring doesn’t need to be sealed or resealed. The top image layer will eventually fade over time though, and once it fades it can’t be repaired.

Just like engineered hardwood floors, it’s recommended to only install this type of flooring material on bathrooms that will be seldom used to minimize its water exposure.

11. Poured and Sealed Concrete Flooring

Poured and sealed concrete flooring is a very good option for bathrooms. Not only are they extremely hard and durable, but with an application of a good waterproofing and sealing system, they can be 100% waterproof. It will last a lifetime, even with very little maintenance.

Concrete floors are usually used in modern, clean, or industrial looking aesthetic. It will fit in a very limited design style though, but a lot of creative architects and interior designers can combine this with other materials to expand its design potential.

It can be hard and cold to the touch though but an underfloor heating system can be installed beneath it.

Texture can also be added to the surface to add traction, making it non-slip.

12. Pebble Washout or Exposed Aggregates Flooring

Pebble washout or exposed aggregates floor finish is a similar construction to poured concrete. The difference is that pebbles or small rocks are exposed to the surface of the floor creating a nature inspired vibe. The video above shows a process of how this can be done.

Since it’s somewhat similar with concrete flooring, it’s a very durable and hard finish that will last a lifetime. A good waterproofing should be applied also to make it 100% waterproof.

13. Terrazzo Flooring

Terrazzo is a very versatile floor finish that can be used in many applications including bathroom floors. You can watch the video above showing an overview of terrazzo floors and its different applications if you are interested to learn more.

They are made from a mixture of different stone and glass chips embedded into concrete. The combination of stones creates the unique color and aesthetic of the floor. The patterns you can do are fully customizable and the design and styles are endless.

Terrazzo floors are very hard and durable and will last for a long time. It’s very low-maintenance and is very easy to clean, with very little regular upkeep.

It is however one of the most expensive flooring options you can choose.

14. Epoxy Floor Coating

Epoxy floor coating is actually a liquid solution poured over concrete, or any solid surface, and then hardens to an extremely durable material. It can be used as flooring for any room including in bathrooms. The video above shows an example of how it is applied to a concrete floor.

You can have if in solid colors or be mixed with other colors to create a marble like look. The designs you can make with epoxy floor coating are also endless. You would need to work with an extremely skilled and creative professional to do the floor for you.

It can be costly to use this finish though but the investment is well worth it as it will last a lifetime.

15. Recycled Glass Flooring

Recycled glass flooring is very much the same as terrazzo flooring above. It is made solely from various recycled glass chips and embedded into concrete. The surface is then polished to create a glossy, and stone-like or jewel-like finish. The video above shows how it looks.

They are usually available in tile sizes which you install like how you install any other tiles or natural stone. It is 100% waterproof and very hard and durable.

These tiles are expensive though but will last for many years. Maintenance and regular upkeep are also very minimal.

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