Bathrooms are among the most used rooms in any home. You start and finish your day at your bathroom, which is why you want it to be as functional as it is stylish. If you are planning on remodelling your bathroom or designing a new one from starch, you need to make a lot of decisions. Creating the perfect spot where you can wash away your troubles with some bubbles might be a little overwhelming as there are so many things to consider. You need to choose between wall-hung vs. floor mounted vanity units , bathtub vs. shower, vinyl vs. ceramic tile and the list goes on and on.
And while designing a beautiful bathroom may be your primary goal, choosing the right floor is essential. The truth of the matter is, water will inevitably end up on your bathroom floor and the flooring of your choice must be designed to withstand moisture. Both vinyl bathroom flooring and ceramic tile are waterproof, but there are some differences between them that you should be aware of before making your final buying decision.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring for bathrooms is a waterproof flooring solution that comes in a plethora of styles and colours. In the past decade, vinyl has surged in popularity due to its many advantages and reasonable price. Good-looking and supremely practical, you can find it in sheets, planks or tiles. Sheet vinyl is manufactured in large sheets, featuring a real representation of wood, stone or tile designs. Vinyl planks are designed to resemble hardwood, and they come in strips, while vinyl tiles have a square form that successfully imitates wood, stone or ceramic tiles.
Besides having the most stunning aesthetic appeal, when exposed to water, high-quality vinyl bathroom flooring will not lose its structural integrity. The protective layer of its surface resists stains and scratches. The wear layer is the surface you walk on, and this is the first defence for your flooring. Waterproof vinyl floors are known for their thick, substantial wear layers. The thicker this layer is, the more durable your floor will be. Vinyl floors are very resilient and well suited for heavy traffic areas. When installed properly, your bathroom vinyl flooring can last for 20 years.
Whether you opt for sheet vinyl, vinyl planks or tile, you are choosing a soft and warm bathroom floor to walk on. Its composition makes it comfortable to stand on it, and it is not so cold on your feet if you walk on it barefoot. Another great thing about bathroom floor vinyl is that it’s not slippery, which makes it an ideal choice for families with kids or older people.
Ceramic Tile
This classic bathroom choice is still a very popular bathroom flooring solution. Ceramic tiles come in a lot of sizes, shapes and colours to complement any colour scheme. Besides the variety of styles and colours, this flooring solution is extremely waterproof and stain-resistant. Ceramic tiles have a hard, solid surface, that does not attract or hold onto dirt, dust, pollen, or other allergens.
Unlike vinyl, this type of bathroom flooring is extremely hard, which makes it difficult and uncomfortable to stand on. Hard ceramics can’t be softened using padded underlayment. When they are wet, ceramic tiles can be very slippery. They are also more prone to damage and can crack when something very heavy is dropped on them.
Although they are considered to be a relatively affordable option, considering the cost for the installation process, installing ceramic tiles into your bathroom might be a lot pricier than opting for vinyl flooring.
What Is the Easiest Flooring to Install in a Bathroom?
The ease of installation makes vinyl flooring the best option for bathrooms. The installation process of vinyl sheets, planks, or tiles is pretty DIY-friendly, which might save you some money from hiring professionals to do the job. Vinyl sheets might be one of the best options for bathrooms because the installation is virtually seamless, making them completely waterproof. You can install vinyl flooring on top of ceramic tile or any other flooring surface, creating less mess during installing. You can step on them right away without having to wait for the floor to dry.
Ceramic tile installation is a lot more time-consuming and challenging job, which requires hiring professionals. Unlike with vinyl, you have to rip up the existing flooring and make sure the surface is even before installation. The installation process is messy, requires more time and skills and a lot more steps are involved.
Maintenance
Once ceramic tile is installed, it can be very difficult to remove. Vinyl planks are easy to take care for and can be easily removed and replaced if a plank somehow got damaged. Properly caring for your vinyl floor can help extend its life and preserve its appearance. All you need to do is just sweep or vacuum it once a week and mop it with a vinyl cleaner.
Ceramic tiles require a bit more maintenance to keep up their good looks for years. Besides regular sweeping and vacuuming, you may also need to clean the grout that holds them together. Homeowners can rent grout-cleaning machines from hardware stores that use hot steam for deep cleaning or choose the harder DIY method to clean and brighten grout .