The most obvious choice for bathroom floors is porcelain or ceramic tiles, but these aren’t the go-to item anymore.
Today, luxury vinyl and waterproof wood floors are soaring in popularity. Which is best for your home depends on your budget and specific needs.
Keep reading to discover the best flooring for bathrooms, and how to decide the right floor for your home.
What is the Best Flooring for Bathrooms?
Bathroom flooring should be waterproof, easy to clean, non-slip, and all-around practical.
Your main options are luxury vinyl (a popular, modern choice), laminate, engineered wood, lino, and tiles (made from porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, or LVT).
Let’s explore each option.
1. Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl comes in tiles and planks, known as LVT and LVP. LVT mimics the look of real stone tiles via a textured surface. LVP looks like laminate, but with the constructed grained surface to make the floor feel like hardwood.
It’s a cheaper alternative to tiles and one of the best non-slip bathroom flooring options. It’s also modern and creates a wood-look or tile-look, without the high maintenance and expense.
Key features include:
- Water-resistant
- Resistant to stains
- Low maintenance
- Warm, quiet, and soft underfoot
- Extremely durable
- Safe and non-slip
Shop waterproof vinyl flooring in Manchester.
2. Laminate (Waterproof/Water-Resistant Only)
Laminate is easy to install. It has a wood-look, with a wood core and a smooth, polished surface. Water-resistant laminate has a long lifespan and it can withstand the constant splashes of a bathroom.
Key features include:
- Wood-look appearance
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Highly durable
Shop water-resistant laminate in Manchester.
3. Lino
Lino flooring is excellent for bathrooms. It’s more classic compared to other options (like laminate or luxury vinyl). It’s one of the cheapest floors to install in bathrooms, but it has a shorter lifespan (on average, 2-10 years).
Key features include:
- Water-resistant
- Highly affordable
- Easy to install
Shop lino flooring in Manchester.
4. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is a resilient bathroom floor. It’s a type of hardwood floor, with a solid wood top layer and a strong, reinforced core that improves its moisture resistance.
It’s one of the most expensive floors for a bathroom, and you’ll often need to hire in professional bathroom flooring installation.
Key features include:
- Above-average water-resistance
- Extremely durable
- A reinforced solid wood floor
Shop engineered wood in Manchester.
5. Tiles (LVT or Porcelain/Ceramic)
You can get LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) or tiles made from porcelain and ceramic for a bathroom.
All options are strong and durable, but LVT is more affordable compared to porcelain and ceramic. It’s also warmer and softer compared to tiles, which can feel cold and hard.
Key features include:
- High durability
- Good stain resistance
- Range of colours and styles
- Non-slip (when choosing a textured, not polished, tile)
Shop LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) in Manchester.
FAQs
Is Vinyl Flooring Cheaper Than Tiling?
Vinyl flooring is significantly cheaper than tiling. Tiles (made from porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone) cost more and often require professional bathroom flooring installation to guarantee longevity.
Waterproof vinyl flooring is cheap and very easy to install yourself. Hiring a professional to install vinyl is also cheaper and quicker compared to tiling.
What Type of Floor is Best For a Bathroom?
Bathroom floors should be non-slip, low-maintenance, and (most importantly) able to withstand bathroom wetness.
The best floors for bathrooms are luxury vinyl tiles, luxury vinyl planks, and porcelain/ceramic tiles.
Water-resistant laminate can also be used in a bathroom, along with engineered wood. These are durable but have a slightly higher maintenance routine.
What Can I Put On My Bathroom Floor Instead of Tiles?
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are the best alternative to tiles. LVT looks like tiles, feels like tiles, but is cheaper and has a warmer, softer feel.
You can get luxury vinyl tiles that are smooth or textured, with a range of different colours and styles – from marble-effect LVT to herringbone style.
Shop Bathroom Flooring in Manchester
Ready to upgrade your bathroom floors? Shop bathroom flooring in Manchester today – browse our collections of luxury vinyl tiles, water-resistant laminate, and other flooring options.
Or book a home measure and get a bespoke quote today.
