Spring Remodeling Projects – New Bathroom Floors, What Type of Flooring is Best?

(PRWEB) May 14, 2013

Its spring and spring brings about the chance to remodel some of the more often used rooms in a home, especially a bathroom. When remodeling, the two rooms that will create more value to the home will be the kitchen and bathrooms. It is important not to cut on the budget for these two areas.

Making a choice for the proper flooring in a bathroom requires some forethought and planning on the part of the home owner. There are a variety of flooring choices out there for consideration. Experts from Emmons & Associates who specialize in flooring installations shared a few tips on what to consider when making a flooring choice for a bathroom.

First, lets start with what to avoid. In addition to the obvious omission of carpet as a choice due to its ability to absorb and hold moisture there are several hard surface materials to consider avoiding as well. Solid wood flooring, particularly of the parquet or tongue-and-groove variety, is not at all recommended for bathrooms, where water is prevalent.

Engineered wood performs better than laminate flooring because its base is of a sturdier, more water resistant plywood base. Its still not recommended for intense water but it will hold up if you desire it as a final choice.

An inexpensive choice is vinyl tile or sheet vinyl flooring. However, even though it is petroleum based it is a composite material. Vinyl tile squares have seams that water can penetrate. Sheet vinyl is generally seamless or has a minimum number of seams and therefore does a better long term job.

The most effective choice is tile. There are several tile options ranging from ceramic to highly expensive and rare natural stone materials. The most important factor to keep in mind is that natural stone, such as travertine, requires a stone sealer to help reduce the ability of water/moisture to penetrate. Porcelain tile doesnt allow penetration of moisture and porcelain is a material that many tile manufacturers are using to simulate the look and feel of natural stone materials. The cost of porcelain is generally less than natural stone as well.

When in a high water area, such as the shower or tub surround, tight grout lines are recommended. Grout, even if sealed, will eventually allow moisture to get through and begin subverting the mortars hold to the substrate, concrete board. There are stronger grouts with built in additives available on the market today to help alleviate this situation.

Tile manufacturers are also creating tile designs that have the look of wood flooring for those that want that appearance but dont want to risk moisture/water damage.

Finally, its important to do the research and make careful considerations before moving forward with a material order or choosing a contractor for installation.

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Spring Remodeling Projects - New Bathroom Floors, What Type of Flooring is Best?