Two primary considerations when selecting bathroom flooring materials is moisture resistance and safety. Your bathroom sees more water activity than any other room in the house so you want to choose something that can handle getting wet. The following guide will help you make the best flooring selection for your bathroom remodeling project in Chicago.
Top Flooring Options for Your Chicago Bathroom Remodeling Project
Bathroom floors experience a good deal of wear-and-tear from their human occupants. They also experience dropped toiletries and accessories and water exposure on a daily basis. For this reason, durability is equally as important as aesthetics.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles. According to National Kitchen and Bath Association surveys, porcelain and ceramic tiles continue to be the most popular choice for bathroom remodelers and homeowners when it comes to bathroom flooring. When your tile floors are installed by a reputable professional, they will last for decades with minimal maintenance required.
Marble Tiles. This is another popular choice and no wonder! Marble tiles are beautiful and create a soft and luxurious look on walls, shower surrounds and floors. Because marble is a softer stone, more prone to staining, etching and scratches, we recommend using it in bathrooms that have lower traffic volume or that aren't used as heavily by children. Marble tiles should be sealed on a regular basis to protect them from staining and etching, and they tend to be slippery so using decorative mosaic strips is a good idea to create a little extra grip for wet feet.
Natural Stone Tile. Other natural stone tile options are also popular in our North Shore and Chicagoland bathroom remodels. Examples include slate, travertine, granite and limestone. Some of these surfaces, like slate, will be rougher to the touch. That's great in terms of safety but can be a bit hard on sensitive feet so you may want to use area rugs in front of your vanity and bath/shower area to soften the contact. Others, like limestone and granite, are slick and smooth, which poses its own risks. Quarried rock tiles will require sealing on an annual or bi-annual basis in order to remain impervious to staining.
Hardwood. Our clients sometimes ask if hardwood is a viable option for bathroom spaces. The attraction is obvious as not only is it beautiful but it provides a warmer option in the colder months. However, the possible problems with water on wood for long periods of time day after day is inevitable.
Keep in mind that tile flooring can be chilly, especially during the fall and winter. As long as you're remodeling your bathroom, you may want to consider adding radiant heat to the floors.
Schedule an appointment with Kitchens & Baths Unlimited to learn more about flooring options for your bathroom remodeling project. We'll find the flooring that will look best - and live best - in your home.
