Renovated bathroom interior with a tile floor
Remodeling your bathroom can be one of the most exciting upgrades you can make in your home, but it can also feel like one of the most overwhelming for Ontario homeowners, especially when the remodeling project includes updating your bathroom floors.
Homes in our area face a variety of climate challenges, including moisture and temperature fluctuations. For a bathroom floor to be functional and last, it must be durable and water-resistant. You want something that’s going to add long-term value to your home, while also serving your daily needs.
How do you choose the best bathroom flooring option for your Ontario home? Here’s what you need to know.
Functional Bathroom Flooring Considerations
Bathroom flooring faces demands that flooring in other areas of your home doesn’t endure. If you don’t consider these demands, you increase the risk of your new floor getting damaged or just not lasting that long.
There are several things you’ll want to consider when choosing new bathroom flooring to ensure it functions as needed:
- Humidity levels, which tend to be higher in bathrooms than in other rooms of your home
- Water-resistance, so it can stand up to splashing and the occasional flood that might occur
- Temperature fluctuations and how they can cause expansion, contraction, and cracking
- Safety, so you reduce the risk of falls and injuries as much as possible with slip-resistant options
- Ease of cleaning
- Foot traffic because bathrooms are used by everyone in your home multiple times a day, as well as guests
Poor flooring choices increase your risk of moulding, warping, and expensive repairs, which is why it’s important to consider all of these factors when narrowing down your selection.
Best Bathroom Flooring Options
Now that you know what to consider when choosing your new bathroom floors, what are some of the best options available for homeowners?
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
These types of tiles are water-resistant and durable. They work well in bathrooms with radiant floor heating systems, too. They offer a great deal of flexibility in terms of style choices and are known for being long-lasting.
Luxury Vinyl Tile and Plank
These are budget-friendly options that offer plenty of durability and water protection in bathrooms. They feel comfortable underfoot and stand up to temperature fluctuations. They’re also a lower-maintenance option than their natural counterparts.
Natural Stone
Although it isn’t the most budget-friendly option, natural stone offers elegance and is long-lasting when properly installed, so many homeowners consider it a high-value investment. It’s better suited to well-ventilated bathrooms and does require more maintenance than other options, but often the style of natural stone balances out any downside that comes with this choice.
What to Avoid
Narrowing down your options for new bathroom flooring can feel overwhelming at first, so it helps to know what to eliminate entirely from your list of potential options.
In bathrooms, you’ll want to veer away from solid hardwood or laminate flooring. Neither is ideal for wet environments.
Options like engineered wood, cork, and bamboo shouldn’t be your top choices, but they can work if properly installed and sealed. You could consider one of these if you’re struggling to find anything in the optimal categories that you like and that’s within budget.
Installation and Subflooring
Both installation and subflooring are extremely important. Even the best materials won’t meet your needs or stand the test of time if they aren’t installed properly on a solid foundation. You’ll need to make sure you’ve invested in proper waterproofing and underlayment, and that the room has adequate ventilation for your preferred flooring type.
Working with a professional flooring installer is always your best bet, so you know the project will go as planned.
Are You Ready for a Flooring Upgrade?
Choosing the right bathroom flooring for your Ontario home means balancing durability, water resistance, safety, and style. When you account for local climate conditions and daily use, you’re more likely to select a floor that lasts. With the right materials and professional installation, your bathroom upgrade can deliver lasting comfort, functionality, and value for years to come.
If you’d like to know more about bathroom flooring options or you’re ready to design a bathroom you love, visit us to explore your options.
