7 materials for finishing floors in the bathroom

When is scheduled bathroom repair, each of us faces a difficult task of choosing decoration materialsincluding and for the floor. Today mass options: From traditional tile to wooden or self-leveling floors. It is necessary to start, first of all, from functionality, as well as from the planned design of the bathroom. What materials can be used to finish the floor in the bathroom?

It is immediately worth noting that in difficult conditions of the bathroom you can use only those materials that non-slip, easy to clean, hygienic and have a high level of moisture resistance. At the same time, one should not forget about purely decorative qualities.

No. 1. Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile – most popular material, which today is used for finishing floors in the vast majority of bathrooms. Such a wide prevalence is due to the whole several advantages of tiles:

• the material is absolutely not afraid of moisture and does not absorb it, which means that it does not deform under the constant influence of water, mold will not appear on it;
• hygienic coverage and ease of care. Moreover, dust does not collect on the tile, since it does not accumulate an electrostatic charge;
• strength and abrasion resistance. These qualities of floor tiles are strikingly different from those used for wall decoration;
• anti-slip properties;
• fire resistance, as well as high thermal conductivity, which allows you to equip a system of warm floors;
• huge assortment. Modern manufacturers offer tiles of different sizes and colors, with different patterns and ornaments, stylized for other materials, so you can always choose the option that will best meet the design idea.

Among the disadvantages fragility of the tile can be noted: if suddenly a heavy object is dropped on the floor, then the probability of damage to the coating is high, and replacing the tile will require some effort. The tile is considered to be cold material, so barefoot walking on it will not be very pleasant, but there is a way out - arrangement of warm floors.

No. 2. Linoleum

Many are quite skeptical about using linoleum in the bathroom, and there are good arguments. But still, if right choose material and lay it right, then serious problems should not arise. Another thing is that not everyone succeeds in fulfilling all the conditions for proper installation, hence the sad experience. If you want to create an interesting interior in the bathroom and have a “warm” coating, you will have to take into account a lot of nuances.

Naturally for the bathroom not any linoleum will do. Need to use thickened moisture resistant material with a raised surfaceso that the linoleum does not slip from moisture. It is better to refuse the substrate so that the linoleum does not squeeze and does not tear under the influence of heavy objects. It is necessary to cut the material so that there are no seams in places of possible water ingress, but the joints are still better to boil additionally. Glue it is better to use waterproof, and linoleum itself a little put on the walls. Given all these nuances, you can get reliable and cheap coverage. Otherwise, very soon, under the influence of moisture, the material will begin to mold, and an unpleasant odor will appear in the room.

No. 3. A natural stone

A natural stone It is not often used to finish the floor in the bathroom, because this coating is quite expensive and often slippery. The advantages of a stone floor include:

• chic appearance, which gives the bathroom a special pomp and elitism;
• unpolished porous marble is used most often, since it does not become slippery when water enters, unlike other types of natural stones, it is not afraid of thermal and mechanical stresses;
• strength and durability.

The choice and purchase of natural stone is best trusted by a professional, since each slab of material can vary significantly in color and pattern, even within the same batch. It is a specialist who can successfully combine different tiles in such a way as to create a seamless harmonious pattern that is as holistic as possible.

The main minus this kind of finish - high price. Moreover, if the stone includes inclusions of iron, then small patches of rust may form. It is better to check the material immediately: take a sample in the store and hold it wrapped in a damp cloth for several days.

Number 4. Bulk floor

Bulk floor - This is one of the most modern solutions for decorating the bathroom, which can significantly transform the interior and turn it into an underwater world, a corner of a tropical island, if we are talking about 3D floors. In terms of performance bulk floors - the perfect solution for such premises. Among their main advantages the following can be noted:

• strength, durability, abrasion resistance and ease of care. Such a finish will last at least 15 years, and at the same time will not lose its original properties;
• absolute resistance to moisture and various detergents;
• resistance to high temperatures and temperature differences;
• high thermal conductivity, so you can mount a system of underfloor heating;
• excellent antistatic characteristics;
• solidity, which affects both the appearance and strength, because for water there simply are no ways to penetrate the coating;
• high decorativeness when it comes to 3D floors. The floor may not have any color or pattern, you can apply any image to it that will look as realistic as possible.

But with all the advantages, it is worth noting some of the features of the bulk floor, which must be taken into account when choosing such a coating:

• high cost of work;
• the need to properly prepare the foundation, i.e. perform a concrete screed;
• preparatory work for creating a bulk floor can take up to 4 weeks, but the process of creating a coating is not so long.

No. 5. Wooden floor

At first glance, it seems that using a tree in a room such as a bathroom is generally inappropriate. But if you look at this issue, you can conclude that with careful selection of materials, you can arrange a wooden floor in the bathroom and enjoy it for a long time. A similar option has many undeniable advantages:

• This is a warm coating, because wood has a low thermal conductivity. Even without a system of underfloor heating, it will be possible to step on the floor in the bathroom comfortably;
• environmental friendliness;
• pleasant appearance, which brings warmth and comfort to the bathroom, allows you to make it original.

There are also disadvantages.

• Firstly, wood - quite expensive finishing material, therefore, finishing the floor in this way can fly into a pretty penny.
• Secondly, the fact that a tree can absorb moisture and deform cannot be discounted. To avoid this, you must choose the most moisture resistant wood species, which, incidentally, were previously used in shipbuilding, as well as apply protective coatings for wood.

Great fit teak wood. It has been used by shipbuilders for hundreds of years.Due to its dense fiber structure, the material becomes moisture-proof and accumulates heat. In addition, teak has excellent wear-resistant properties, it is resistant to chemicals. The roughness of this wood species makes the floor non-slip.

Today also often used thermal tree for arrangement of a covering in a bathroom. Such material is obtained by treating wood with high temperature steam, up to 250⁰C, provided there is no oxygen. In this case, moisture resistance increases significantly, the risk of deformations, the development of fungus or mold is reduced.

Additionally, it is better to process wood moisture resistant compoundsand cover the finished floor with several layers of special yacht varnish.

No. 6. Waterproof laminate

Laminatelike a tree, not everyone will decide to use in your bathroom. But if sort out the issue, waterproof laminate is not the worst flooring for the bathroom. It is made under strong pressure, the material is well pressed, and the water absorption coefficient is not more than 12%. From above, such a laminate is covered with a moisture protective layer, and all end parts are treated with wax.

The advantages of such a solution are many:

• strength and stability of the coating to mechanical damage;
• ease of installation;
• a warm surface of the material, so leaving the shower or bath will be comfortable;
• excellent appearance;
• manufacturers of waterproof laminate, as a rule, promise a durability of the material at the level of 15 years.

And yet, even a waterproof laminate can not compete with ceramic tiles or self-leveling floors in terms of resistance to moisture. Water can get into the gap and accumulate in the voids, so it is better to wipe all puddles and drops from the floor immediately after they get in.

Number 7. Vinyl floor

One more good finishing material, which performs well in a bathroom. Such a coating consists of separate multi-layer tiles, or may be sold in a roll. The composition includes vinyl, resin, plasticizers and stabilizers, quartz can be used in certain types of coatings. Such material has been used for a long time, but if in Soviet times its appearance and quality left much to be desired, today it is reliable and cute products that allow you to transform the interior of the bathroom.

Vinyl boards consist of several layers, one of which is decorative. With it, you can simulate any surface. The material is coated on top with two protective layers that prevent abrasion. Depending on the level of wear resistance, vinyl tile is divided into classes: for the bathroom, it is better to choose the most durable material.

Among the main advantages This coverage option is worth noting:

• high strength. Even a heavy and sharp object falling to the floor is not able to damage the material;
• moisture resistance. The material does not absorb moisture at all and does not deteriorate if water accumulates on its surface, but it is better not to allow moisture to enter the seams. That is why they are recommended either to carefully close up, or even choose rolled, and not tiled, material;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• walking on such a coating is very comfortable, because the material is warm, pleasant to the touch. In addition, it does not slip, which increases your safety;
• a huge variety of possible colors and textures. Such material can imitate almost any surface: from wood to pebbles, which becomes an advantage when creating an original interior;
• excellent heat and sound insulation;
• durability;
• antistaticity.

But even such an ideal, at first glance, coating is not without its disadvantages:

• non-environmental, because the material is made from fully synthetic materials. When burning, the coating releases toxic substances;
• if the material was used in rolls, then it will be difficult to repair the damage - you will have to redo the entire floor. With vinyl tiles, everything is simpler - replacing one element is easy.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of possible options for organizing the floor in the bathroom. Today, there are several worthy alternatives to the traditional tiled floor, allowing you to create a stylish and practical bathroom. When choosing, pay attention, first of all, to the operational qualities of the material, to the ease of care, and only then to the decorative effect.