Michael Sweeney 
Bathroom floors require durability, waterproofing and style – and now there are more flooring options than ever before available to them.
Porcelain tile is an excellent option for water resistance, style, and affordability. Like stone, porcelain can feel cold to the touch but responds well to underfloor heating systems. However, due to its slippery properties it should have some texture for added traction when installed by professionals.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile flooring is a popular choice in bathrooms because of its beautiful appearance and ease of cleaning. Ceramic floor tiles are highly resilient, capable of withstanding water pressure as well as chemical residue found within typical bathroom environments.
These tiles come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors to meet every decor need. Available with matte, glossy or unglazed finishes – and even mimicking natural stone and even wood grain patterns – they make a striking statement about who you are as an individual.
Porcelain tiles are created from refined clay that has been fired at higher temperatures to form dense tiles with nonporous surfaces that resist staining and bacteria growth. Shaw offers many glazed and unglazed porcelain tile options in small mosaic 1×1 tiles as well as large rectified planks – adding warmth and contemporary style to any bathroom design project.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles are denser and harder than ceramic, making them an excellent flooring material in areas of high traffic. Plus, their water resistance means they make for excellent flooring solutions in high moisture environments.
These dense, hard-wearing tiles come in various styles that resemble wood or stone surfaces; they’re easy to keep clean, require little maintenance, and come at an economical price point.
Porcelain tile and ceramic tile can often be confused, yet these materials are distinct materials. A ceramic tile may qualify for porcelain labelling if it meets certain standards set forth by the PTCA; it is important to understand these distinctions prior to choosing either for your project. PTCA testing simply ensures water-resistance; it does not guarantee quality or durability of either option – so for best results choose high-grade porcelain or ceramic available within your budget.
Solid Hardwood
Hardwood floors are an elegant choice that add warmth and coziness to interior spaces, adding natural aesthetics as well as luxury to bathroom environments.
Wood is vulnerable to moisture exposure in humid environments like bathrooms, and being exposed to too much humidity may compromise its structural integrity in a number of ways – warping and swelling are two such examples.
Solid wood can make an effective addition to a bathroom when sealed properly with polyurethane, while engineered wood floors offer greater moisture-resistant options due to their plywood core construction that flexes without warping – something especially true of domestic hardwoods which come in an assortment of earth tones and beauty options.
Engineered Wood
Real wood flooring adds a beautiful aesthetic to any bathroom, but solid hardwood requires regular care to stay looking its best. Moisture can damage real wooden floors over time, so regular oiling and lacquering may not provide enough protection from damp conditions.
Engineered wood is the superior choice for this room of the home as it’s more resistant to moisture than its solid wood counterparts. Crafted using layers of plywood and solid wood, engineered boards have the strength to withstand humidity while resisting warping, expansion and bending over time. Wood Flooring Ireland offers several premium engineered options perfect for bathroom installations in long planks, chevron, herringbone and Versailles panel designs, making maintenance requirements significantly reduced. Our floors also come prefinished or finished out of the pack further reducing maintenance requirements!
Concrete
Concrete makes an ideal bathroom flooring material, offering durability and affordability alongside modern style. Poured or sprayed onto the floor, dyed, stamped and polished to create custom designs, concrete is versatile enough to meet every bathroom decor need.
Concrete stands up well to moisture damage and requires less maintenance compared to tile which may crack over time due to moisture exposure, plus it won’t show signs of wear as quickly.
However, concrete has some drawbacks that make standing on it uncomfortable over long periods. To alleviate this discomfort and prevent injuries to yourself and others when standing on it for extended periods, consider adding a rug or mat to the space. Also keep in mind that improper surface treatment or finishes on concrete could prove slippery and cause injuries that require medical treatment to address.
