Best wood for bathroom floors
The Best Flooring Options for Bathrooms
When it comes to choosing flooring for a bathroom, most homeowners focus on finding an attractive, durable material that suits their style. But there’s one major difference between bathroom flooring and the flooring of other rooms—bathroom surfaces need to be waterproof. And picking a floor that meets that need should be priority number one.
Water can splash from the sink. The toilet can overflow. Steam from the shower typically mists the entire bathroom at least once a day. A wet bathroom is not the exception but the norm, and water will wreak havoc on the wrong type of flooring. So while designing a beautiful bathroom may be your goal, keeping it waterproof should be your biggest concern. Here are some flooring options and the pros and cons of each.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
There’s a reason why porcelain and ceramic are classic bathroom flooring choices. Not only are they waterproof, but they’re also relatively inexpensive and can mimic the look of pricier materials such as natural stone or wood. (And while the two materials are similar in composition, porcelain is different from ceramic in that it’s made from more refined clay and fired at a higher temperature, making it more durable and less porous.)
In terms of styles, porcelain and ceramic are offered in an endless array of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, so your design choices are practically limitless.
VIDEO: How to Replace a Vinyl Floor with Ceramic Tile
Porcelain and ceramic are cold to the touch, but they’re also very receptive to radiant heating laid underneath. In fact, if your desire is to have a bathroom with heated flooring, porcelain and ceramic are the most popular options.
A con to these materials? They can be slippery. Choose a tile with a textured surface or smaller tiles that require more grout, which provides better traction.
Natural Stone
Durable and attractive natural stone always exudes an air of luxury, but it’s pricey and not completely waterproof. Softer materials like travertine and limestone need to be resealed every couple of years, while harder stones like marble and granite can last up to five years before having to reseal them.
If you can afford natural stone and don’t mind refinishing the floor once in a while, it’s certainly one way to raise the resale value of your home.
Like porcelain and ceramic, stone feels cold to the touch, but this problem can be eliminated with underfloor heating. Also like ceramic and porcelain, it is a very slippery material; consider choosing a stone that’s been honed or tumbled instead of polished, or something that’s been textured with sandblasting. There are also naturally textured stones such as slate.
Vinyl
For the past decade, vinyl has surged in popularity as a bathroom flooring material due to its water-resistance, reasonable pricing, and ease of installation. This has resulted in a plethora of styles and designs flooding the market. The material comes as sheets, planks, or tiles, with sheets being the best option for bathrooms because the installation is virtually seamless, making it waterproof.
There are two types of vinyl composition: wood plastic composite (WPC) and stone plastic composite (SPC).
Both are made with a waterproof core, but WPC is preferred for being thicker, more flexible, and more resilient.
While vinyl is extremely durable, it can develop bumps, gaps, or curls after a period of time. Vinyl can also be hard to fix if it is pierced by a sharp object. And because the material is so well-priced, it won’t do as much for your home’s resale value as more expensive materials might.
Laminate is often confused with vinyl, but the former has a wood-chip base that makes it an inferior bathroom flooring material. If the wood comes in contact with water, it will absorb it and bubble up, and eventually, the flooring will need to be replaced.
Concrete
Concrete bathroom floors are typically found in homes with slab foundations. You can also choose to have a concrete slab or overlay poured for a bathroom floor. The slab can be dyed, polished, stamped, or painted to create a sleek look that fits well with a modern aesthetic.
The advantages of concrete are that it’s completely impervious to water damage and will last a lifetime.
Getting concrete stained or stamped isn’t expensive, and when you consider how long this type of flooring will last, it becomes, even more, cost-effective.
However, concrete can be cold and hard to the touch, as well as extremely slippery if it’s finished with a smooth surface. If you’re polishing a concrete slab to use as the bathroom floor, have the finishers leave a little bit of texture for traction.
Engineered Wood
While wood and water don’t typically mix, engineered wood features a plywood base that holds up well against moisture. If you must have a wood floor in your bathroom, this is your best bet.
Engineered wood looks like real wood because the top layer is made of hardwood veneer. This is a relatively expensive option, and there’s another downside: Engineered wood is prone to damage, and you can only sand it so often before you penetrate through the veneer layer. Still, it’s a viable option that can work if you’re careful.
Solid hardwood, on the other hand, is never a good idea for bathrooms.
It’s extremely sensitive to moisture and will likely eventually rot, even with a topcoat of protection.
Cork Flooring
If sustainability is important to you, consider cork as a flooring material. Waterproof and comfortable underfoot, it’s an excellent choice for the bathroom. It’s also naturally textured, which makes it the perfect non-skid surface. Plus, cork can feature some beautiful and unique grain patterns. To protect your cork flooring from moisture, reseal it every couple of years.
Using Hardwood Flooring in a Bathroom: What You Should Know
Hardwood flooring is a popular surface covering material that has been used in a variety of interior spaces since the dawn of modern construction. It is durable, low maintenance, long-lasting, and has a beautiful natural look that is prized by many homeowners. However, it does have issues when used in moist or humid environments, such as bathrooms. While certain types of hardwood flooring can be successful in bathroom use, wood in the bathroom will require a higher level of maintenance than in other places.
Advantages of Hardwood in a Bathroom
Despite some drawbacks, there are distinct aesthetic advantages to using hardwood flooring in a bathroom.
Warmth
One of the biggest drawbacks to ceramic tile is that it is quite chilly, especially in the winter. Since the bathroom is a space where you will often go barefoot, this can be an issue. Hardwood floors give the room a much warmer, more comforting feel underfoot. The earth tone colors also tend to make the entire room seem more inviting and welcoming.
Beauty
The biggest advantage of hardwood is that it can be really beautiful. It lends a sense of natural wonder to spaces while also providing a unique appeal—every plank is a piece of natural artwork with its individual grain pattern. Hardwood is a classic choice that has transcended centuries of style and it isn't subject to the whims and vogues of interior design. A bathroom floored with hardwood will draw attention as an elegant space.
It can also offer design continuity between rooms.
Longevity
Properly maintained, a solid hardwood floor is a very durable, long-lived flooring material. Lifespans of 25 years or more are common, making hardwood flooring one of the most durable flooring options available along with stone or ceramic tile. When hardwood does become scratched, it can be sanded and refinished to renew the surface. Engineered hardwood flooring, made of a hardwood surface layer laminated to core layers, is somewhat less durable, but it can still be a long-lasting floor when properly maintained.
Dangers to Hardwood Flooring In a Bathroom
The issues affecting hardwood flooring in a bathroom all involve the way that moisture can affect the material.
Spills and Splashes
This is going to be the first concern of any flooring installed in a bathroom. Showers and baths naturally tend to cause splashes. Even just rinsing your face in the sink can send droplets of water spilling out across the floor, and a bathroom with a shower or tub is almost certain to see water on the floor occasionally—especially a bathroom used by children.
While the finish will protect the material to some extent, you still need to wipe up any spills immediately so that the moisture doesn’t wear away at the material's protective layer or seep down between seams. Many manufacturers stipulate this—the warranties are voided if the recommended methods of cleaning up are not followed.
Floor Slope
If your floor is not perfectly level, you're going to have a problem with water sliding down towards the low areas and puddling. These puddles of moisture can be very damaging to the floor, and can even weaken its structural integrity—mostly because the water seeps through seams. Proper preparation of the subfloor to create a perfectly level and flat base is essential to preventing water damage on a hardwood floor.
Lack of Moisture Barrier
Many hardwood floors are installed by nailing planks directly to the subfloor, which means that a traditional vapor barrier can't be used since the nails would puncture it.
If moisture seeps down past the surface, it can get to the structural components of the floor and start eating away at the subfloor and underlayment. For this reason, hardwood flooring products that are installed with adhesives or click-together methods are better suited for a bathroom setting.
Flooding
Flooding is a constant threat in a bathroom, but the dangers are exacerbated when you have hardwood flooring. If a pipe starts to leak or a fixture malfunctions, you can very quickly find the bathroom filled with inches of water. Though you may be able to undo some of the damage, flooding will generally destroy a hardwood flooring installation, even if it is properly sealed. Almost no hardwood floor can seal against a complete flood. In a home with old plumbing, you should think carefully before risking a hardwood floor in kitchens or bathrooms.
Chemical Staining
There are many different types of soaps, cleansers, and body products that are used in bathrooms.
Many of these are slightly acidic in nature, and if they spill and splatter on hardwood, they can eat away at the finish or cause permanent staining in the wood. Cleansers will need to be cleaned up quickly and thoroughly if they get on hardwood flooring.
High Humidity
While standing water caused by splashing gets the most attention in a bathroom, the humidity in this space can be just as damaging. When you shower, the bathroom tends to get very steamy, with the air growing warm and moist. This air will hover in the space, filling every crack, penetrating down into every tiny space, infiltrating the hardwood floors. While only a small amount will actually get in, over time, the effects can accumulate.
Unfortunately, humidity can attack every side of the hardwood—even the bottom, which generally does not get a finish treatment. In the case of a heavily used bathroom, humidity can result in floorboards twisting, warping, plumping and cracking.
Bathrooms with hardwood flooring should have good exhaust fans, which should be run for a good length of time during and after a shower or bath.
Mold and Mildew
Because the bathroom is so moist, the growth of mold and mildew is always going to be a problem. These harmful organic substances love hot, wet environments, and they feed on natural organic materials such as hardwood. The finishing coating will protect the floor to some extent, but over time, mold and mildew can grow in between boards, and even beneath them. Mold and mildew are problems whenever they occur, but they can be quite serious for people who have allergies and sensitivities.
Strategies for Preventing Damage to Hardwood
Tactics are aimed mostly at preventing moisture from contacting the wood, and especially from seeping down through the seams to the subfloor.
Regular Maintenance
Keeping the floor's finish layer strong and intact is vital when you have hardwood flooring in a bathroom. This is your first line of defense, and it will need to be reapplied every few months. You can test if the finish layer is still intact by dropping a small amount of water on it and waiting to see if the water beads up or is absorbed into the wood.
If it beads up, the finish is fine, but if it sinks in, then you need another topcoat of finish as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to cracks between floorboards.
Use Bath Mats
These can be placed at strategic locations, such as just outside of the bathtub or around the sink. Catching any splashing water droplets or drips from wet freshly washed feet can prevent floor damage. If a bath mat becomes saturated, make sure to air-dry it so it can't hold moisture against the floor. The best bath mats will have a solid rubber or vinyl backing that prevents moisture from passing through.
Install Tub and Shower Surrounds
Another way you can prevent water damage is to install surrounds along the perimeter of the bathtub. These can provide a stylish match with other features of the room, but the real merit is their ability to keep water in its place—which is not on your beautiful hardwood floor.
Also, keep the joints around shower stalls properly sealed, since this is a place where water can easily escape out onto hardwood flooring.
Maintain Plumbing Fixtures
The pipes running into and out of the major fixtures in a bathroom can also be a problem. These can sometimes leak, causing water damage problems in hard-to-see areas. Cold-water lines or the toilet tank may also collect condensation, due to being cooler than the surrounding air in the bathroom, and this can also lead to water issues as condensation drips down to the floor. The best way to handle this is to ensure that all pipe openings are thoroughly caulked and to keep an eye out for any leaks or drips. The valve connections beneath a toilet or pedestal sink are prime places where water can drip onto a floor.
Refinishing Hardwood Floors in a Bathroom?
One of the great things about hardwood is that if you mess up and ruin the floor, it can generally be fixed by simply sanding down the surface past the level of any defects and then applying a new finishing coat to it. Be aware, though, that the equipment normally used in other rooms to refinish hardwood is quite large and unwieldy.
In many bathrooms, this will be done best with hand power sanders rather than large machines, and so the process may be harder and more time consuming than you first imagined.
Shopping Considerations
When deciding if hardwood flooring is right for your bathroom, consider these factors:
Finish
In its unprotected state, hardwood flooring will plump, expand, warp, and stain at the touch of any liquids, because wood is naturally a very absorbent material. However, the application of a finishing agent, usually a polyurethane-based sealer, can create an invisible surface over the wood, making it impossible (or at least difficult) for water to penetrate. This finish will generally have to be reapplied at regular intervals in a bathroom, with special attention to the seams, since this is where moisture is most likely to infiltrate.
It is very important that you choose a quality finish that is designed for water-heavy environments. There are some finishes that are marine-grade, suited even for outdoor all-weather applications.
Others will be acceptable for indoor use in damp spaces, though not fully waterproof. You also have to be aware that the sealer will only protect the top of the material; any water that penetrates down through the seams can cause damage to the wood from the sides and below.
Type of Wood
There are many different types of wood that are available for flooring installations, and some will be better than others at handling bathroom conditions. Generally, you should avoid softwoods such as pine and fir, as they will be less dense and more apt to absorb moisture. Good hardwood choices include teak, oak (especially white oak), cedar, cherry, maple, ash, walnut, and hickory.
Warranty
Most hardwood flooring will come with a set warranty that will guarantee replacement over a certain period of time if the material fails. However, these warranties often come with stipulations that void them if the floor is installed in a water-heavy environment, such as a bathroom.
Or they may define the flooring as "moisture-resistant," which usually means that you are expected to wipe the flooring dry immediately after condensation or spills contact the surfaces. Your warranty is voided if you fail to do this, and wood floors are never warranted against flooding. Always read the product literature carefully if you plan to install wood flooring in a bathroom or other damp area.
Consider the Usage
Hardwood may not be the best flooring choice in a heavily used bathroom where children will splash around, but it can be perfect in a guest bath or powder room that contains only a vanity, and where there's little chance of water puddling on the floor. Unless you're up to the task of diligent maintenance, you may want to reserve hardwood flooring for bathrooms where it is most appropriate.
Best bathroom woods
Having wood in a room at home, such as a bathroom, will require special care and attention. Completely different from other types of materials.
Wood is very sensitive to moisture, so special care is very important. Extending the life of wood in the bathroom will largely depend on the cleaning and good care that you perform almost daily.
When it comes to taking care of wood and keeping it in top condition, the first thing to do is to know what wood it is and then act one way or another. In the next article, we'll show you the best woods you can use in your bathroom. and the best way to take care and support them.
Index
- 1 Types of wood for the bathroom
- 2 Care and maintenance of the wooden floor in the bathroom
Types of wood for the bathroom
In the vast majority of cases, wood used in the bathroom is usually teak or larch. In the first case it is a tropical and waterproof wood. This makes wood ideal for use in the bathroom.
Another type of wood commonly used in the bathroom is larch.
This is a type of wood that is fairly water resistant, is so perfect for use on floors or in bathroom sinks.
Although it is fairly water resistant, it must not be forgotten that wood is a very delicate material and it is important to follow a number of tips or guidelines while keeping it in perfect condition. . In no case is it recommended to expose the wood in the bathroom to temperatures above 60 degrees, as it may be damaged. It is preferable to always use a neutral soap during cleaning and maintenance.
Care and maintenance of wood flooring in the bathroom
Wood flooring will require maintenance series to prevent moisture or bath water from damaging it. The maintenance and care of the floor will largely depend on the type of wood used for it:
- In the case of wood treated with oil, as in the case of teak, it is best to use a cleaner suitable for this type of wood or use some neutral soap .
It is very important to remove all remaining water from the surface and always have completely dry wood.
- In the case of wood on a varnished floor, it is best to apply a little neutral soap. Use a damp cloth and soap will remove any accumulated dirt. The next thing to do is dry the entire surface very well with a clean cloth. Lacquered wood looks great in the bathroom, but requires special care to avoid damaging it. The big problem with polish is that it's not waterproof, so moisture can seriously damage the polish itself. In the event that certain scratches are observed on the surface, it is best to sand the entire surface so that the wood floor remains as good as new. There are times when the wood has lost almost all of its luster and it is convenient to reapply a little varnish over the entire surface.
- The last type of wood when it comes to flooring is natural. Natural wood is the hardest of all and therefore requires less maintenance than lacquered wood and oil treated wood.
When cleaning and finishing possible stains that have accumulated over time, simply apply some water with a clean cloth. It is important to clean following the grain direction of the wood. In case there is another scratch on the floor, sanding the area is enough to make the wood look like new. Use sandpaper, which you can find in any specialized store, and remove all scratches from the surface.
Ultimately, wood is the perfect material for bathroom . You can use it both in toilets and on the floor. The only bad thing about this type of material is that it requires much more maintenance than other types of material. It is important that the selected wood is as waterproof as possible to avoid possible moisture stains and keep it in perfect condition despite the passage of time.
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What kind of wood is better to make the floor in the bath photo video instruction
Practical bath owners use concrete floors in such buildings. But if you want to have a truly natural bath, then the best material for its construction is wood.
Also for flooring. But in order for the floors in the bath to last for many years, you need to choose the right wood. The following types of wood can serve as such material for floors:
- pine;
- cedar;
- larch;
- oak;
- aspen.
Let's dwell on each type of wood separately.
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Pine
Pine floors will cost you less than others.
The wood of this coniferous breed is not subject to deformation, cracking and other defects. It is easy to process, but does not tolerate contact with water.
Over time, mold habitat develops in pine boards.
Due to its high susceptibility to rot and tar when heated, pine flooring may not be the best choice.
Cedar
This wood has an excellent grain structure. As in the case of pine, cedar boards do not dry out and do not crack. But unlike her, cedar is not afraid of high humidity and temperature. Cedar not only does not rot, but also has a great appearance. The floor from the boards of this wood will please the owners of the bath for many years with its characteristics and noble shade.
Cedar trim:
- floors;
- walls;
- ceiling.
This wood can also be used in the washroom. Do not forget also that cedar wood contains a large number of useful flavonoids. which are released into the air when heated.
But cedar has one, but a significant drawback - high price. Only wealthy people can afford such floors.
Prices for the construction of bathhouses, houses, foundations and individual services
Sauna building
| Log sauna | from 9500 rub/m2 |
| Profiled timber baths | from 12600 rub/m2 |
| Glulam baths | from 16000 rub/m2 |
| Brick saunas | from 19000 rub/m2 |
| Gas-foam block baths | from 12600 rub/m2 |
| Frame technology saunas | from 9900 rub/m2 |
| Saunas made of SIP panels | from 9650 rub/m2 |
Foundation construction
| Strip foundation | from 3400 rub/m.p. |
| Monolithic foundation (slab) | from 4200 rub/m2 |
| Screw pile foundation | from 3200 rub/piece |
| Post foundation | from 3800 rubles / piece |
Roof installation
| Vapor barrier installation | 60 rub/m2 |
| Installation of insulation in 1 layer | 60 rub/m2 |
| Metal tile | from 280 rub/m2 |
| Shingles (bituminous) | from 300 rub/m2 |
| Corrugated sheets (Euro slate) | from 200 rub/m2 |
| Natural tiles | from 400 rub/m2 |
| Seam roof | from 350 rub/m2 |
| Decking | from 250 rub/m2 |
| Gutter system | from 350 rub/m. p. |
Floor assembly
| Underfloor heating | from 450 rub/m2 |
| Primer treatment of the screed (moisture protection, dust removal) | from 30 rub/m2 |
| Floor joist | from 180 rub/m2 |
| Leveling and reinforcing floor beams to level (if already installed) | from 80 rub/m2 |
| Installation of subfloors from edged boards | from 100 rub/m2 |
| Installation of vapor barrier | from 50 rub/m2 |
| Insulation (for 1 layer 50 mm) | from 50 rub/m2 |
| Floor plank flooring | from 300 rub/m2 |
Optional
| Internal electrical panel installation | from 3800 rubles / piece |
| Plywood sheathing, OSB | from 260 rub/m2 |
| Installing the electrical kit inside the sauna | from 7000 rubles |
Larch
Larch is one of the most durable woods.
Terrace boards and materials for building facades are made from this tree. Larch is not afraid of water. Therefore, she trims the area around the pools. As in the case of cedar, larch wood contains useful compounds. Which are not averse to being released into the air when heated.
Larch is not afraid of decay due to the fact that it contains natural antibiotic gum. It not only protects the tree, but also improves human health. At first, larch wood releases resin. It can cause burns. And this is the main disadvantage of larch, along with the high cost of the material.
Oak
In our region, sauna owners most often use oak for flooring. In conditions of high humidity, oak is able to increase its strength. That helps him to have a long service life. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the longitudinal drying of oak boards when dried.
Linden
Experts in bathing recommend using lime for flooring in the sauna. Linden wood has a beautiful appearance and a pleasant aroma.
