How to Choose the Best Material for Your Bathroom Floor and Installing it Correctly Choosing the right bathroom floor material and drainage solutions is critical when designing or renovating a...
Bathroom Floor Guide: What is the Best Bathroom Floor Material
By Mike Holmes Jr
Mike’s Advice / Bathroom Renovation
Friday, January 3rd, 2025 @ 1:47pm
How to Choose the Best Material for Your Bathroom Floor and Installing it Correctly
Choosing the right bathroom floor material and drainage solutions is critical when designing or renovating a bathroom. Over the years, working with my dad I’ve seen so many bathroom floors with water damage and mould issues – most of which could have been avoided if the right materials were used in the first place. That includes having the proper underlayment, to help make sure your bathroom is watertight and to prevent your flooring from shifting or cracking.
Here’s my guide to choosing and installing bathroom flooring correctly.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Flooring
Choosing the right flooring material for your bathroom is more than just a design decision. It’s about finding a balance between style, durability, and practicality.
Bathrooms are high-moisture environments, and the flooring needs to withstand regular exposure to water, humidity, and frequent temperature changes.
Here are the essential factors to consider before diving into specific materials:
#1 – Water Resistance
The most critical aspect of any bathroom flooring is its ability to resist water. Bathrooms are prone to splashes, spills, and steam.
Choosing a material that can handle constant moisture without warping, staining, or becoming a breeding ground for mold is key.
#2 – Durability and Longevity
Bathroom floors experience heavy foot traffic daily. Whether it’s a powder room or a master bathroom, the flooring should be able to withstand wear and tear without showing signs of damage.
Durable materials like porcelain tiles, luxury vinyl, and natural stone are excellent choices because they are designed to handle high traffic and last for years when properly maintained.
#3 – Slip Resistance and Safety
Safety is a significant concern, especially in wet environments like bathrooms. The risk of slipping can be reduced by selecting flooring with a textured surface or slip-resistant finish.
Smaller tiles, like mosaics, naturally provide more grip due to the increased number of grout lines, making them ideal for shower floors. But here is a pro tip —if you’re adding an heated flooring make sure that the tile size you pick works with the system you choose.
#4 – Maintenance and Cleaning
Bathrooms require regular cleaning, so it’s important to choose a flooring material that is easy to maintain.
Some materials, such as natural stone, may require regular sealing, while others, like vinyl or ceramic tile, are relatively low-maintenance and can be easily wiped down.
Consider how much time you’re willing to spend on upkeep when selecting your bathroom flooring.
#5 – Aesthetic Appeal and Design Flexibility
The look and feel of your bathroom play a significant role in your overall home design. The flooring should complement your bathroom’s style, whether it’s modern, traditional, rustic, or minimalist.
Consider the colour, pattern, and size of the tiles or planks, as these elements will impact the room’s visual appeal and sense of space. Large format tiles, for example, can create a sleek, seamless look, while patterned tiles can add a unique focal point.
#6 – Budget Considerations
Budget is always a factor when planning a renovation. Some materials, like porcelain tiles, offer a wide range of prices to fit different budgets, while options like natural stone tend to be more expensive.
Vinyl flooring can be a budget-friendly alternative that still offers a high-end look, making it a popular choice for cost-conscious homeowners.
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Bathroom Floor Material Options
When it comes to choosing bathroom flooring, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best material depends on your style preferences, budget, and practical needs.
Here are some options I think would be great.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are my go-to choice for bathroom flooring, and for good reason. These tiles are durable, water-resistant, and available in a wide variety of styles.
Porcelain is especially dense, making it even more resistant to moisture and stains.
Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are easy to clean, and with regular maintenance, they’ll look great for years. From classic subway tiles to large-format designs, the options are endless, allowing you to personalize your bathroom’s look.
They also handle foot traffic well, which makes them ideal for high-use spaces like bathrooms.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring is becoming an increasingly popular option for bathrooms. This material is not only waterproof but also provides a stylish and budget-friendly alternative to traditional tile.
It’s available in various forms, including sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks (LVP), and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).
We opted for vinyl flooring for this powder room bathroom on Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy
Vinyl flooring is easy to install with a click-lock system, so even DIYers can tackle it. Plus, it’s much more affordable than natural stone or porcelain, giving you a high-end look without the hefty price tag.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo offers a unique, natural look for bathrooms, with a more eco-friendly twist than traditional hardwood. It’s naturally more moisture-resistant than other wood options, but still requires sealing to protect against water damage.
While not as water-resistant as tile, bamboo works well in powder rooms or bathrooms that aren’t as prone to high humidity.
Natural Stone Tile
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury look, natural stone tiles like marble, granite, and travertine are hard to beat. They’re durable and, with proper care, can last a lifetime. However, they do require regular sealing to maintain their water resistance, especially in high-moisture areas.
Stone tiles offer unique patterns, making each tile different, and adding character to your space. They can be a bit more work than other materials, but if you’re looking to create a truly elegant bathroom, they’re a great investment.
Materials to Avoid: Carpet and Solid Hardwood
Carpet and solid hardwood are not recommended for bathrooms. Carpet absorbs moisture, which can lead to mold, mildew, and odours—definitely not something you want in a bathroom.
Similarly, solid hardwood doesn’t handle humidity well and can warp or buckle over time.
Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your Bathroom Floor
The size of your tiles can significantly impact the look and functionality of your bathroom floor. Here’s what to consider when deciding between large and small tiles:
Large Format Tiles
Large format tiles, typically 12×24 inches or larger, have become increasingly popular in bathroom designs. They create a sleek, modern look and can make small bathrooms appear more spacious.
- Advantages: With fewer grout lines, large tiles are easier to clean and maintain, giving the bathroom a streamlined appearance.
- Installation Considerations: They require a level subfloor and may need more precise cutting, especially in smaller or irregularly shaped spaces.
Small Tiles and Mosaics
Small tiles, like mosaics, offer better traction and slip resistance, making them ideal for wet areas like showers. They are also more versatile in accommodating slopes and curves, which is particularly useful for creating custom shower floors.
- Advantages: The increased number of grout lines provides better grip, reducing the risk of slipping.
- Design Flexibility: Small tiles can be used to create intricate patterns and designs, adding a unique touch to your bathroom.
Why is Waterproofing Important for Bathroom Floor
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about bathroom renovations from my dad, it’s that waterproofing is everything. Most people think that tile and grout are enough to stop water, but they’re not. Water will find its way through, under the tile and flooring, and when it does, it can cause big problems, like mould, rot, and expensive repairs.
For a bathroom floor to last a long time the best thing you can do is have a strong and level subfloor, use a waterproofing uncoupling membrane and have a good contractor.
Uncoupling membranes, like Schluter’s DITRA line of products, have been a staple in every bathroom project we’ve worked on. They provide essential protection against cracking and moisture damage.
They also accommodate movement caused by temperature changes and prevent cracks in the tiles and grout. Most importantly, they offer waterproofing, vapour management, and load distribution, making them ideal for high-traffic bathrooms.
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DITRA
DITRA membrane is an uncoupling membrane that is installed underneath tile floors and provides the following benefits:
- excellent waterproof and vapour barrier
- load distribution for high-traffic areas
- compensation for substrate movement and prevents tile and grout cracking
- can be used underneath most bathroom floor tiles
DITRA-HEAT
DITRA-HEAT is a version of DITRA that allows for integrated heating cables that provide electric floor warming beneath the tiles. It’s a great way to add heated luxury to your bathroom with all the standard benefits of DITRA.
- Uncoupling, waterproofing and floor warming
- Customized heating zones and
- Even heat distribution across the entire bathroom floor
DITRA-HEAT-DUO provides all the same functions, with additional sound control and a thermal break, which makes it ideal to be installed over concrete, and is perfect for basement bathroom installations. The thermal break eliminates the cold and tiles heat 70% faster over concrete.
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DITRA-PS, DITRA-HEAT-PS and DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS
Schluter also has a Peel & Stick version of their DITRA line of products (DITRA-PS, DITRA-HEAT-PS, and DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS) which l love. The peel and stick membranes are easy to apply to the substrate, are less messy and require fewer tools, and there is no thin set required to install the membrane, thanks to the self-adhesive backing.
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Curbless Showers Add a Modern and Sleek Look
I am shower vs bathtub kind of guy. Curbless showers are increasing in popularity because they offer a modern and sleek feel that are also practical.
Curbless showers are barrier-free showers and provide a modern and accessible feature to bathrooms. The showers eliminate the traditional curb or step at the entry of the shower, providing a seamless transition between the bathroom floor and the shower. This makes it ideal for an age in place bathroom and will be wheelchair accessible.
Clear glass shower enclosures or doors will also give the room a bigger appearance. Plus, they can also serve as the room’s main focal point.
Curbless showers also help open up the space. Pairing this with large-format tiles not only enhances the sleek, modern feel but also minimizes grout lines, making the bathroom look even bigger. It’s a simple design trick that makes a huge difference in how your space feels.
When it comes to any bathroom proper drainage is essential, and Schluter offers a variety of solutions designed to integrate seamlessly with their waterproofing systems.
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How To Achieve Proper Shower Drainage
Ensuring proper slope and drainage is essential and Schluter’s Shower System provides pre-sloped shower trays that integrate with both their linear and point drains.
The entire floor including the shower area should be waterproofed with products, like DITRA and KERDI to ensure that moisture doesn’t penetrate the tiles and substrate and cause damage over time. KERDI can be used on walls, benches, niches and floors to create a complete water-tight space.
The KERDI-DRAIN is a point drain that is available in several stylish grate designs. They are simple to install and ideal for tile shower bases and are fully waterproof when installed with the KERDI waterproofing membrane.
The other option is Schluter’s KERDI-LINE linear drains which are perfect for curbless shower installations because they can be placed anywhere in the shower – in the centre, side wall or entry, and allow for a single-sloped floor design. Plus, they look elegant and sleek, work well with large-format tiles and allow for easy wheelchair or accessible entry into the shower.
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Installation Tips for Bathroom Flooring and Curbless Showers
We would always recommend you hire a professional contractor and tile setter when doing any bathroom renovation. However, it is essential that homeowners understand the process and benefits to using the Schluter Systems.
Here is a simplified checklist of how you would install a bathroom floor and curbless shower using DITRA, drains, and KERDI waterproofing:
Prepare the Subfloor:
It is essential that the subfloor is clean, level and structurally sound, while the curbless shower floor may need to be recessed or sloped to accommodate for proper drainage.
RENOVATION TIP: This may seem obvious but always REMOVE the existing tile floor. You will likely have to replace the subfloor, but you might get away with cleaning the existing subfloor as much as possible.
Use self-levelling if it is required. This will help ensure your floor will last and your tiles won’t lift, shift or crack. We use Sika Level-125 self-levelling underlayment and Sikalevel primer which work great under carpet, wood, and vinyl.
Remember, hire an experienced tile setter and contractor – a lot can go wrong, if you don’t have the knowledge or experience to do the job.
Install the Waterproofing Membrane:
Apply DITRA membrane on the floor. This is also the time that you would also apply the KERDI membrane to the walls, niches and benches in the shower area.
For a bathroom floor that will be heated, install the DITRA-HEAT membrane.
Install the Drain:
When installing the drain, you can use the KERDI-DRAIN point-drain or KERDI-LINE linear drain.
Proper floor sloping towards the drain is essential for drainage and to avoid water pooling.
Install Tile:
Next comes the tile installation, where the tile is put on top of the waterproof membrane. It is essential that your contractor follows the manufacturer’s guidelines. When doing curbless showers, continue the tile across the entire floor so the floor is seamless.
PRO TIP: Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines and make sure the flooring material and size you chose is compliant with their requirements. Otherwise it could cause issues like cracking down the line.
Grout and Seal:
Once the tiles are set, the joints will be filled with grout.
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Choosing the right bathroom flooring and installing it with proper waterproofing is key to achieving a stylish, durable, and long-lasting bathroom. Products like Schluter’s DITRA, KERDI, and their innovative drain solutions make it easier than ever to create beautiful, functional, and watertight spaces. By selecting the right materials and installation methods, you’ll enjoy a bathroom floor that looks great and stands the test of time. With the right approach, your bathroom can become a beautiful, low-maintenance part of your home.
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