Bathroom Wooden Flooring May Not be the Best Idea in the World

I know of a couple who recently came very near to separating due to a major falling out over the choice of flooring for their new bathroom. One of them wanted bathroomfloor tiles, either bathroom vinyl flooring or bathroom laminate flooring, whereas the other half wanted to go with bathroom wooden flooring.

 

When you are considering bathroom flooring vinyl is usually a sound choice and you will find that bathroom vinyl floor tiles are one of the most popular customer options. Whether you decide on vinyl, carpet, wood or other flooring such as tile, stone or laminate you need to keep in mind the budget and the amount of usage the floor can expect. 

What is a laminate floor made of?

Laminate floors are made from fibres, which are pressed together, and the 'wood effect' surface is a printed image with a wear resistant finishing top layer. Laminate floors are not made of real wood and they don't have a real wood surface layer. Laminates and wood-effect floors should not be confused with real wood floors. Today's wood floor finishes are very sophisticated in nature and a far cry from the old, thick 'plastic-looking' finishes. They are generally exceptionally durable, yet incredibly thin, so they protect a floor and promote easy care without disguising the wood's grain. The most popular treatments are lacquer, oil and wax.

Lacquer

A lacquer pre-finish encapsulates the wood and seals it completely. A lacquered floor is very easy to keep clean and requires minimal maintenance. Depending on the quality of the lacquer, a surface finish can last between five and seven years before renovation is necessary. Lacquer finishes are incredibly popular because they are durable and require minimal maintenance. Various gloss levels are available, from silk matt lacquer to 'mirror-like' high gloss.

Oil and Wax

Oil and wax finishes provide natural protection and create a sheen that is silk-like to the touch. Floors with oil or wax finishes do require a level of periodic maintenance but modern treatments make it an easy procedure. Small areas of wear are particularly easy to renovate.

Homeowners usually don't think of wood when deciding on a flooring material for a modern bathroom. The wood presents some problems when used in a moist environment such as a kitchen, bathroom or basement. It requires more attention than other flooring materials for a bathroom, but it also creates a warm and elegant look in the room. When making the decision to use wood for the flooring in your bathroom, consider your budget and the maintenance requirements of the material.

Water Damage

Wood floors are susceptible to damage from the moisture and water in a bathroom. The material absorbs the water and swells if you do not seal and protect it properly. Sealing the wood prevents the wood from absorbing the water, which causes the damage. This is why I must admit that deciding to go for bathroom wooden flooring is probably not the best idea in the world to insist upon.