Bathroom is one of the important rooms in your home. The flooring plays a key role in your bathroom. When you go for flooring, you find a wide range of flooring materials for bathrooms. You need to choose the right one that is water resistant, not slippery, durable, anti-bacterial, affordable, moisture resistant, etc.
There are different types of flooring materials used for bathrooms like marble, slate, granite, limestone, vinyl flooring, etc. Each of these has its pros and cons. Here, we see types and characteristics of flooring materials for bathrooms.
Marble flooring
Marble flooring is durable and is expensive. Marble slabs come in a range of colors, sizes, patterns and styles are available in the market. Marble flooring is elegant and classy.
Marble is a porous stone and easily absorbs liquids, dust and dirt. Marble flooring is vulnerable to be affected by soap, shampoo, hair dyes, cosmetics, detergents, etc. You need to do regular maintenance. Clean with mild cleaners to preserve its appearance. Marble flooring is slippery. It is not ideal option for bathroom meant for children and the elderly.
Granite Flooring
Granite flooring is expensive, durable, and gives luxurious appearance to your bathroom. Granite flooring is slippery because of high polished finish and absorption of moisture. In wet conditions, it is extremely dangerous. Avoid installing highly polished granite slabs, which are slippery, in bathroom.
Granite is not porous stones and does not absorb liquids. Granite is resistant to scratches and stains if you use the appropriate grade sealants.
Slate Flooring
These are durable and easy to maintain. These are available in different colors and styles.
Slate is resistant to water and stains. Slip resistant because of uneven and rocky surface. Therefore, slate flooring is suitable for bathrooms.
Limestone Flooring
Limestone flooring is durable. Limestone comes in a range of colors, shapes and designs. Limestone flooring is susceptible to scratches, stain and is slippery. It is therefore, less suitable for bathrooms. Limestone gets affected by substances such as fruit juice, etc. Use mild cleaners to protect the appearance.
Limestone is a porous stone and easily absorbs dust, liquids, and is therefore avoid using limestone for bathroom flooring.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is available affordable price, and is easy to install. It is durable, and resistant to water. As bath room floors are faced with moist conditions, vinyl flooring is more suitable for bathrooms. Also, it is not slippery and hence safe for kids and the elderly.
Vinyl flooring is a non-biodegradable product. It contains polyvinyl chloride which is hazardous to environment. When the flooring is new, it emits vapors that may cause health issue in people. Over the past few years, vinyl flooring that causes less damage to environment have come up.
These points help you make the right decision when you go for bathroom flooring. You have to choose the right floor by looking at its characteristics as per your necessities and home interior design. Consider budget, the durability, environmental safety, physical safety to children and seniors. Try doing the job yourself, or hire a seasoned expert professional.