Vinyl Bathroom Flooring

Costs
Durability
History
Maintenance

Popular Bathroom Remodeling Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers
References

When it comes to outfitting a bathroom with flooring that is affordable and water-resistant, many homeowners go for vinyl. If you’re considering this flooring option, here is some more information to get you started.

Costs

While prices for vinyl flooring can be as little as $1 per square foot, expect to pay between $2 and $5 for higher-quality materials. On average, installing vinyl flooring in a 9x9-foot bathroom should cost from $162-$405. Get a couple price quotes for fast installation.

Pros

Known to bounce back from the weight on their surface, vinyl floors reduce noise and are comfortable to walk on.

They resist moisture penetration and come with slip-retardant surfaces.

Vinyl flooring is available in all kinds of styles and colors.

Cons

Vinyl floors can fade if exposed to too much sunlight.

They can be damaged easily by sharp objects.

Some homeowners think that vinyl flooring looks low-quality and inexpensive.

Durability

Considering that vinyl flooring is not affected by steam, water and humidity, it is a very durable option for any bathroom. With the proper maintenance, your vinyl flooring should last for years to come.

Maintenance

These low-maintenance floors are also easy to install and clean. Because grit and dirt can be ground into the material, vinyl floors should be swept or mopped regularly. Potentially-staining wet spots should be dried promptly. Also, heavy furniture can scratch or dent the vinyl and should be placed on rugs.

Common Questions and Answers

What types of vinyl flooring are available?

Vinyl floors come in tiles and sheets that are coated with a shiny or matte finished wear layer. Available in 12-foot rolls, sheets are extensive enough to cover the surface of a bathroom without seams. This type of continuous flooring is recommended because it eliminates the problem of moisture seepage through seams or grout lines.

Solid vinyl sheets are homogenous because they consist of the same material from top to bottom. Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is also available, made with a variation of solid vinyl and synthetic fillers and binders. An infinite variety of pre-selected or custom styles, colors, and patterns can be inlaid or printed on individual sheets.

What is the best subfloor to have when installing a vinyl floor on top?

Vinyl requires a very smooth surface for correct installation. Therefore, sanded plywood is a great subfloor to have beforehand. It’s suggested that vinyl not be installed over existing vinyl and most manufacturers won’t guarantee their product if this is the case. Uniformity and smoothness is the key when installing vinyl over any type of flooring.

History

While vinyl flooring was first introduced in 1933 at Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition, it wasn’t marketed extensively until the late 1940s. Vinyl’s affordability and low maintenance immediately made it a top contender among other flooring options of the time.