When renovating a bathroom, one of the most important decisions to make is the choice of flooring. That’s because once a floor is installed, it’s not easy to change if the material proves unsuitable.
Beyond aesthetics, a good bathroom floor should be non-slip, water-resistant, easy to clean and durable.
The best flooring option can also look very different depending on whether the bathroom is a residential property or a commercial building.
Inspired Washrooms specialises in commercial bathroom installations across the UK, including in environments such as schools, hotels and transport hubs.
In this post, we’ll run you through the best flooring options to consider for a bathroom in all scenarios. Crucially, we'll also cover the flooring types to avoid in a bathroom.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles have been a bathroom flooring staple for decades, offering a practical and cost-effective solution for most domestic and light commercial applications.Ceramic tiles are water-resistant, easy to clean and available in a huge range of colours, sizes and finishes, making them straightforward to match to almost any interior scheme. On the plus side, they are relatively affordable, widely available and simple to replace if individual tiles become damaged.
Considerations: Ceramic is softer and more porous than porcelain, meaning it absorbs moisture more readily and is less suited to continuously wet environments such as wet rooms. It can also be cold and hard underfoot, and the grout lines between tiles require regular cleaning to prevent staining and mould build-up.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain is the premium version of ceramic, fired at higher temperatures to produce a denser, less porous tile that is exceptionally well-suited to bathroom environments. It can be rated to be fully waterproof, highly durable and available in an extensive range of finishes, including convincing stone and wood effects. Porcelain is widely considered one of the most versatile flooring materials on the market. Its key advantages are its longevity, low maintenance requirements and resistance to staining, scratching and moisture ingress.
Considerations: Porcelain is heavier and harder to cut than ceramic, requiring a skilled tiler and appropriate tools, which adds to the overall project cost. Like ceramic, it can be cold underfoot without underfloor heating, and grout lines still require upkeep.
Natural Stone
Natural stone includes materials such as slate, travertine, limestone or marble. The use of natural stone brings an unmatched sense of warmth, character and luxury to a bathroom floor. Each piece is unique, and the material tends to improve in appearance with age when properly maintained. It is extremely durable and, if sealed correctly, performs well in wet environments.
Considerations: Natural stone is porous and must be sealed on installation and resealed periodically to prevent water absorption and staining. It is also one of the more expensive flooring options to purchase and install, requires a solid, level subfloor capable of bearing the weight, and can be slippery when wet unless a textured or honed finish is specified. Ongoing maintenance is essential to preserve its appearance.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Luxury vinyl tile has grown significantly in popularity over recent years, and for good reason, as it delivers a highly realistic stone or wood aesthetic at a considerably lower price point than the materials it mimics. LVT is water-resistant, while also being warm and comfortable underfoot. LVT is also relatively straightforward to install, making it a practical choice for family bathrooms and renovation projects where budget and comfort are priorities. It is also softer underfoot than tile or stone, which makes a meaningful difference in a room where people stand barefoot.
Considerations: LVT is less durable than porcelain or natural stone over the very long term, meaning it can be susceptible to damage from sharp objects or heavy furniture. Lower-quality products may lift or discolour in consistently wet conditions. Specification of a quality product from a reputable manufacturer is important.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is rarely the first material that comes to mind for a domestic bathroom, but it is a genuinely practical option, particularly for wet rooms, accessible bathrooms and commercial washroom environments. It is naturally slip-resistant, fully waterproof, cushioned underfoot and extremely durable under regular use. Its seamless sheet format (when laid correctly) eliminates grout lines, making it straightforward to clean and maintain to a high hygiene standard.
Considerations: Rubber flooring has a utilitarian appearance that suits functional and commercial spaces more readily than residential ones. The material can also retain odours if not cleaned regularly, and the colour and finish options are more limited compared to tile or LVT.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete creates a striking, seamless floor surface with a distinctly contemporary aesthetic, and it has become an increasingly popular choice in design-led residential bathrooms and boutique commercial environments. Its key advantage is the complete absence of joints or grout lines, which makes it extremely hygienic and simple to clean. Polished concrete is also incredibly durable and, once properly sealed, is resistant to water and staining.
Considerations: Polished concrete requires professional installation and sealing, and any failure in the sealing process can result in moisture penetration and cracking over time. It is hard and cold underfoot, can be slippery when wet unless a slip-resistant sealant or aggregate is incorporated, and may develop surface cracking as the building settles. It is also difficult and costly to repair or remove once installed.
Water-Resistant Wood
Granted, solid timber is unsuitable for bathrooms due to its tendency to warp, swell and crack in response to moisture. However, water-resistant alternatives, including engineered wood boards with moisture-resistant cores and certain treated hardwoods, can work well in a small selection of bathrooms, including those with excellent ventilation and managed humidity levels. The appeal is primarily aesthetic as wood creates a warmth and homeliness that no other material quite replicates, and it pairs well with both traditional and contemporary bathroom schemes.
Considerations: Water-resistant wood requires more careful maintenance than tile or LVT, must be kept away from standing water, and is generally not recommended for wet rooms or en-suites with poor ventilation. Regular sealing or oiling is necessary to preserve the finish and protect against moisture damage.
Vinyl
Standard vinyl is typically supplied in sheet or tile format. It is one of the most budget-friendly bathroom flooring options available, and it remains a staple in domestic and light commercial settings where cost and practicality take priority. It is fully waterproof (particularly in sheet form, where seams can be welded or minimised), easy to clean and comfortable underfoot. Sheet vinyl in particular offers the advantage of a continuous, joint-free surface that resists moisture ingress and is straightforward to maintain.
Considerations: Standard vinyl is less durable than LVT or porcelain, can be susceptible to tearing or scuffing, and the visual quality of budget products is noticeably inferior to premium alternatives. It can also be difficult to repair neatly if damaged, often requiring a full replacement of the affected section.
The Flooring Types To Avoid Using In Bathrooms
Many types of flooring exist because the ways in which we use our home or commercial buildings are not always consistent in every room. In particular, some rooms will be subject to higher levels of moisture and foot traffic, while others may represent secluded or cosy spaces.
With a bathroom floor, high levels of moisture and humidity are expected. Furthermore, the floor may be subject to high foot traffic and spillages, which means the floor needs to be able to withstand harsher cleaning techniques.
Based on the expected environmental conditions of a bathroom, the following flooring types are unsuitable.
Carpet
While it’s not unheard of to find carpet installed in bathrooms, it is not considered a good choice. Primarily, this is due to hygiene and moisture concerns, since it’s very difficult to keep a carpet clean to the required standards that a bathroom needs. Carpet is also prone to absorbing liquids and moisture, which also makes it a poor choice for bathrooms.
Slippery Surfaces
If flooring such as tiles isn’t properly rated for wet floor environments, then they are likely to feel very slippery underfoot. Slippery tiles vastly increase the chances of slips and trips, meaning they should not be installed in bathrooms. In commercial environments, installing tiles which don’t have the required slip resistance can also have legal consequences, especially if an employee or member of the public is injured as a result.
Untreated Wood Flooring
Wood flooring that is untreated will swell as it absorbs water and moisture within a bathroom. Eventually, the wood planks may lift away. It is sometimes possible to seal a wood floor to make it suitable for a bathroom. However, wood-effect flooring that is rated for bathrooms is often the better choice.
Non-Waterproof Laminate
Similarly, a laminate that is not rated as waterproof (or at least water-resistant) should not be installed in a bathroom. Otherwise, the flooring will be prone to failure. If the floor isn’t properly sealed, it may also lead to other issues, such as water leaks.
Poor Quality Vinyl
While vinyl can prove to be an excellent choice for bathroom flooring, this is not the case if the vinyl is of poor quality or if it’s been installed badly. Cheap or poorly installed vinyl can lift, bubble or tear. This creates trip hazards and may also allow water underneath the floor, which can create hidden damage or obvious leaks.
Commercial Bathroom Flooring Considerations
With any commercial bathroom or washroom flooring, there are additional factors to consider. That’s because the floor must comply with health and safety regulations and building regulations.
If you undertake a commercial washroom installation with us, we’ll take care of the safety and legal considerations of your flooring on your behalf.
As a general guide, flooring installed in wet areas of a commercial building must consider:
- Slip resistance of PTV 36+ (pendulum test value) to reduce the likelihood of slips and trips on the surface
- Maintaining a hygienic floor surface through the tile material, format and installation technique
- How easy the tile is to clean and maintain
- The durability ratings of the flooring ensure it can withstand high traffic use
- Choosing the right aesthetic that will suit the environment and will stand the test of time
P.S. Inspired Washrooms is based in the UK, so our commercial bathroom installation advice applies to the UK market. If you are located elsewhere, please consult the guidance applicable to your country.
Bathroom Flooring FAQs
We’ve answered some of the most common questions about bathroom flooring below.
For queries relating to commercial bathroom installations as part of the services we provide here at Inspired Washrooms, please call us on 0115 671 6174.
What Is The Best Bathroom Flooring?
The best bathroom flooring is any material which is correctly rated for bathrooms owing to its moisture and slip resistance. Some of the best materials often include porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, natural stone, LVT, polished concrete and water-resistant wood. For commercial bathrooms, the best flooring is a material that will comply with all required legal factors, plus will offer excellent durability with high traffic use in mind.
Can You Use Laminate Flooring In A Bathroom?
Laminate flooring in the traditional sense wouldn’t be our first choice for a bathroom, owing to the fact that most laminate is designed for other rooms, such as living rooms or hallways. In some cases, installing water-resistant laminate is acceptable in a bathroom. However, caution should be applied as frequent splashes may encourage the laminate to warp or lift. Additionally, the edges will require sealing to prevent water from running under the walls or skirting. Always check that the floor is properly rated for the environment you wish to install it in and seek professional advice from the manufacturer to confirm the room suitability.
Can You Put Wood Flooring In A Bathroom?
Wood can be installed in a bathroom so long as it’s properly sealed. Otherwise, the wood may warp due to absorbing water or the excess humidity in the room. Alternatively, a wood tile can give you the look of wood but with the slip and water resistance that is needed for a wet environment like a bathroom.
Which Direction To Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring In Bathroom?
If your bathroom connects to a hallway or another room, then the direction of the plank should align with any existing flooring pattern in these other spaces. Doing so will create a seamless flow and avoid a clash of laying patterns.
Where no other pattern joins onto the room, you have more design freedom. Laying patterns for vinyl plank flooring include straight, herringbone, chevron or basketweave.
However, a handy tip to know is that laying planks across a narrow room can make it feel smaller. Instead, laying planks parallel to the longest wall in the room will make the space feel larger. If you are unsure, doing a ‘test run’ where you lay out the tiles in different formations first can help you decide what works for your particular bathroom.
Get A Free Quote For A Commercial Bathroom Installation
Are you looking to undertake a bathroom installation in a commercial property such as an office building, school, medical centre, gym, hotel or airport?
Inspired Washrooms specialises in commercial washroom installation. Alongside helping you select the most appropriate flooring, we can also design every other aspect of your washroom to ensure it meets the exact needs of your staff or customers.
To get a free quote for a UK commercial bathroom installation by our team, please get in touch or give us a call on 0115 671 6174.