The goal of any type of flooring is to be durable. It needs to be able to withstand foot traffic. But when it comes to bathrooms, specifically, they also need to hold up to moisture. For certain types of flooring, moisture could result in mold, mildew, and rot. Added with the heat that comes from taking warm showers and baths, bathroom flooring has to be flexible. So, if you are thinking wooden floors are the right move, you would be mistaken. Once it comes time to patch up your bathroom, use the right kind of flooring and get a great return on investment. We offer some advice on how to best execute your bathroom renovation in Cedar Park.
Factors You Need to Make Sure Of
A renovation gives you the chance to revitalize your home and make it into the pleasant space that you deserve. Invest in bathroom flooring that achieves your household’s needs. Don’t just settle for what you currently have. Yet, the question stands… What actually makes for good bathroom flooring?
Waterproof
Something you should be aware of is that half bathrooms don’t experience the same wear and tear that the main bathroom does. This is due to there being more opportunities for water to splash onto the floor. Half bathrooms only have the toilet and sink to worry about, while the main bathroom comes equipped with a bathtub and shower. You need to use a flooring type that stands up to this consistent exposure. It is a common misconception that all bathroom flooring materials are water-resistant. Even certain tiles will sustain damage from water incidents. When water gets into the grout, it makes the tiles less resistant. As it accumulates, it could make the floor uneven and, thus, damage it.
Easy to Install
Considering you are performing a more simple bathroom renovation in Cedar Park, you don’t want to overcomplicate it with flooring that isn’t easily replaceable. You could already face the struggle from the beginning of the project, when you are trying to rip the current flooring out. Using a material that is easy to install will help whether you are tackling the project yourself or having an expert remodeler do it. In either case, it saves more time and energy to devote to other tasks. But be mindful of the fact that flooring materials with natural components need time to acclimate before installation. Give them a couple of days to adjust to the humidity, or else you risk gaps or buckling.
Cost-Effective
According to HGTV, the average DIYer will spend $75 to $100 per square foot on their bathroom flooring upgrade. This range will only increase when you bring professional labor into the picture. However, the amount of money you spend is ultimately going to depend on which material you choose. Some are more budget-friendly than others, but may not be as high-quality. When you are researching bathroom flooring materials, you have to use one that has a balance of those two. Budgeting is a big part of any home renovation, so be mindful of how much you are willing to spend. If you are doing a more sizeable bathroom renovation in Cedar Park, check in with your contractor about what they feel the best option would be.
Fits Your Style
As a homeowner, you should make your house into something that you can be proud of. It’s where you spend a considerable amount of your days. If it doesn’t cover the bases for your unique design choices, then it won’t make you happy. With that in mind, one primary reason why homeowners take on bathroom renovations is that the space doesn’t reflect them anymore. That is likely the case if you haven’t updated it in several years and your tastes have changed. A modern bathroom is going to offer a different vibe and incorporate different features than a beach-style bathroom. Explore all of the styles and colors available when it comes to flooring, and match it with your fresh decor.
Resale Value
You may not be interested in staying in your current home for much longer. Perhaps you landed a job in a new city. Soon, your property will be on the market. That could be the reason behind your bathroom renovation in Cedar Park. You are setting everything up for success by the time the future owner walks through the door. Of course, when it comes to resale, it really depends on who that owner is going to be. One person who comes by may appreciate the fresh modern design you went with, while another may have preferred your previous beach style. The best bet is to make the most middle-of-the-road choices, both in terms of features and flooring. But, undoubtedly, anyone will see heated bathroom flooring as a luxury!
Flooring Options You Can Choose From
Not every material is going to work with your design. Flooring can make a big impact on the overall look of any room. So, it is important to consider during the design process of your bathroom renovation in Cedar Park. Choose from these five types of flooring.
Porcelain Tile
Offered in a range of sizes, shapes, and colors, porcelain is a classic bathroom flooring material. You can go with plain or patterned. For contemporary bathrooms, use monochromatic colors on larger tiles. Smaller tiles, on the flip side, can be used for vintage designs. Although porcelain is relatively inexpensive, it is even capable of mimicking the more expensive option of natural stone. There are few materials better than porcelain considering it absorbs the least amount of water. This makes it a solid choice for main bathrooms. If you don’t dry the floor behind you, you just have to be wary when it gets too wet. It will be slick to walk on and could be dangerous.
Natural Stone
Now, it was mentioned that natural stone is expensive. The reason for that is because of how durable and attractive it is. If you want your bathroom to appear more luxurious and elegant, using natural stone is a fitting idea. Their natural texture results in no two tiles being identical. When kept up with, natural stone flooring can last a lifetime. So, once you decide to go this route for your bathroom renovation in Cedar Park, you need to find time to dedicate to its maintenance. Harder stones, such as marble, could take five years before you are expected to reseal them. Limestone will only take a couple of years. This sealant is necessary so that the flooring will remain resistant to water.
Laminate
Between the top and base layers of laminate flooring is a paper layer of another flooring material. For a realistic wood effect that doesn’t come from actual wood, laminate is the key. After all, you don’t want to use solid hardwood in your bathroom, which is known to expand and contract with humidity. Still, this is one of those flooring types that needs to first be exposed to moisture. It also has the potential to warp on account of the base layer being fiberboard. So, you need to keep the splashing to a minimum. But with laminate being such an easy-to-install flooring type, as long as you are sure to get the seams as tight as possible, you can do it yourself during your bathroom renovation in Cedar Park.
Cork
The non-skid, naturally-textured surface of cork flooring is safe and comfortable. It is an environmentally-friendly option with the benefit of antimicrobial properties. You just have to cover it with a water-resistant sealer. Redo this every couple of years. Without sealant, cork is prone to water damage and stains. Because cork is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, it shouldn’t go in children’s bathrooms. That is a space where more spills are likely to occur. One of the best things about cork, though, is that it is easy to repair and refinish. So, although you should certainly still be careful with this flooring type, it doesn’t have to be stressful to replace it.
Luxury Vinyl
While traditionally-styled bathrooms don’t necessarily call for vinyl flooring, contemporary bathrooms certainly do. That being said, tile vinyl isn’t the best option with its many seams. Sheet vinyl, though, is excellent for children’s bathrooms because it lacks those seams. It’s one of the most low-maintenance bathroom flooring types, given that water is so simple to wipe up and any non-abrasive detergent will clean it well. Vinyl is also extremely durable, well-priced, and can be installed in less than a day. The combination of these factors has led to its surging in popularity for bathroom renovations over the course of the past decade.
Is your bathroom flooring just not working for you anymore? Bat City Builders would love to help you get past it. We are experts in executing bathroom renovations in Cedar Park, and have even been awarded by both NARI and the Texas Association of Builders for our remodeling work. Come have a conversation with us about what your bathroom needs to succeed.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Terry Magallanes on Pexels
- Phil Hearing on Unsplash
- Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash