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Most remodelers wouldn’t recommend carpet in the bathroom. There are too many other options, such as tile, vinyl, engineered wood, and laminate flooring that are more resistant than carpet to moisture. However, carpeting the bathroom has been done and can be achieved without too much hassle to you. If you want to know more about this option before starting your bathroom remodel, here are some of the pros and cons of selecting carpet. When you’ve made a decision, select one of our certified bathroom remodelers, such as Finest Dimensions Home in Campbell, to give you a free installation estimate.

The Advantages of Carpeting Your Bathroom

Carpet is probably the least expensive flooring option, running from about $1 to $5 per square foot. It feels warm and soft underneath bare feet. It is relatively simple to install, even around tricky edges that simply require cutting. It’s even easier to install when you purchase removable squares, such as the kind made by Flor Tiles. When it comes to cleaning, removable squares can be taken out, cleaned outdoors, and replaced with relative ease.

The biggest concern over carpet in the bathroom is mold and mildew buildup from water exposure. Preventative measures can be taken to deter this, such as purchasing a screen to keep water from splashing. You can install a moisture resistant pad beneath the carpet to protect your subfloor. Many manufacturers attest that all carpet is stain and water resistant, but you can purchase additional mold and mildew treatments for additional protection. Carpets also come with mold and mildew resistant backing.

And The Disadvantages

The biggest negatives with carpets – staining, molding, and retaining odor – increase drastically in the bathroom, where there is a lot of moisture. Even with preventative screens and barriers, humidity in the bathroom travels through steam and inevitably lands on the carpet. Even with the most careful adults, there is likely to be some splashing. This is almost unavoidable in homes with children.

Despite water resistant applications, carpet is made from fiber, which will absorb large spills. Wool carpet maintains the most moisture while nylon carpet retains the least. Be selective, then, about the type of fiber you choose. Generally, carpets made from synthetic material are less prone to staining than carpet made from natural material.

Another drawback in the bathroom is that moisture can come from more than one source: the shower, the sink, and the toilet. The most typical areas where mold accrues are along the edges where carpet meets the shower stall or toilet and underneath the carpet itself. While denser carpets are considered to be of better quality, in the bathroom this only translates in more fibers that can collect water.

 

Bathroom Carpet / Engineered Wood Flooring / Hardwood Floors / Laminate Flooring / Vinyl Bathroom Flooring / Stone Bathroom Flooring / Ceramic Bathroom Tiles