Bathroom flooring: Alternatives to tile floor

As a rule, bathrooms in Germany are equipped with a tile floor. However, nowadays many attractive alternatives can be found for the common flooring. For example, the materials wood or stone are ideal for creating a seamless bathroom floor. What types of floors are suitable for the bathroom to create an aesthetic design of the room without tiles, shows the following article.

Vinyl flooring for the bathroom

. Bathroom floors made of vinyl give the bathroom that special something. These are available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, including stone or wood look. For a particularly uncomplicated renovation of the bathroom, floors made of vinyl are particularly well suited, as these can be installed on existing floors. In addition, they are characterized by their robustness, ease of maintenance and a favorable price. However, in the bathroom should be used exclusively solid vinyl, which has water-repellent properties. These floors are completely glued to the respective substrate, and the wall finishes are sealed with silicone.

Floor of concrete or exposed screed for the bathroom

. Those who want to make their bathroom particularly modern, should take a closer look at floors made of concrete or exposed screed. For pleasant warmth, these floor materials provide underfloor heating. Floors made of exposed screed or concrete are ideal for a minimalist bathroom design. The natural, polished surfaces of the materials can be either colored with the help of floor paint or painted. To give the floor additional protection, polymers or waxes can also be applied.

Wooden floor for the bathroom

. If a particularly high value is placed on a natural atmosphere in the bathroom, floors made of wooden planks or parquet are ideal. Through them, a very cozy and warm atmosphere moves into the bathroom. Ideally suited for the floor in the bathroom are hardwoods, such as walnut or oak, but there is also a great choice in teak or bamboo. If these come into contact with moisture, they swell only to a small extent. In addition, however, special bathroom parquet is also available. In order for the moisture content in the air to be positively affected by the wooden floor, the wooden floor in the bathroom should be open-pored and oiled. If there are any standing puddles of water, they should be wiped up immediately, but splashing water is not a problem for wooden floors - provided that the joints are well sealed to prevent deep water penetration.

Laminate flooring for the bathroom

. Damp-proof laminate is also available these days specifically for bathroom floors. This is characterized by edge impregnation and also has an impregnated backing board. This type of laminate is therefore very difficult for moisture to penetrate and swells to a much lesser extent. In addition, laminate for the bathroom is also available, which has a carrier plate made of plastic profile. This is also known as "Aqua Floor". However, gaps in the laminate must be prevented at all costs in the bathroom, in addition, damage must be repaired immediately, otherwise water can soak into them and cause more extensive damage. The joints of the laminate are ideally sealed with waterproof glue. Additional sealing with synthetic resin is also recommended.

Linoleum floor for the bathroom

. For the floor in the bathroom, linoleum also enjoys an extremely high popularity. This is a natural product, which consists of natural resin, linseed oil, lime, cork and wood flour. The material is characterized by the fact that fungi and bacteria can not spread on it, which is why its hygienic properties turn out extremely well. In addition, linoleum is also very durable, easy to clean and warm to the feet. Linoleum floors are offered in many different patterns and colors. However, they have a certain sensitivity to moisture. It is therefore essential that the linoleum floor in the bathroom is properly grouted and ideally completely glued. Proper installation is essential to prevent mold from forming between the individual linoleum tiles.

Cork flooring for the bathroom

. Those looking for a particularly sustainable alternative to the classic tiled floor in the bathroom should opt for cork, which is made from the bark of the cork oak. As a floor covering for the bathroom, cork is extremely well suited, at least if this is laid without joints and glued over the entire surface. From moisture, the floor is protected by a sealant of water-based varnish, and also necessary is a special edge protection. To ensure that the cork floor in the bathroom will give pleasure for as long as possible, it is necessary to have a surface sealed and load-bearing substrate for it. If this is present, the warm to the feet cork floor can create an extremely cozy atmosphere in the bathroom.

Rubber flooring for the bathroom

. Natural rubber represents an ideal choice if a particularly high value is placed on environmental compatibility and sustainability in the bathroom equipment. After all, the natural rubber is a renewable resource that plays an increasingly important role in the field of sustainable and healthy construction today. Rubber also has the advantages of being highly durable, resistant, non-slip and easy to clean. In addition, it has good sound insulation properties. Compared with conventional tiles, natural rubber generally appears much warmer and has a pleasant walking feel. In addition, the material is dirt and bacteria repellent, which makes it extremely suitable for the design of the bathroom floor. The natural rubber must be glued to a clean and smooth substrate over the entire surface. The joints and edges are protected from moisture penetration by welding cords, alternatively, a two-component joint compound is also available.

Silica mosaics and stone carpets for the bathroom

. If the highest individuality in the design of the bathroom floor is valued, pebble mosaics or stone carpets will certainly cause great enthusiasm. Stone carpets in this case are laid without joints to reduce the risk of moisture entering. They consist of a combination of small-sized, natural pebbles and a synthetic resin binder. The stone carpets are poured onto the floor in liquid form before being spread and cured. In addition, however, it is also possible to lay the stone carpets individually. Stone carpets are available in various layer thicknesses between six and twelve millimeters. Since it is possible to make the surface of the stone carpets completely non-porous by means of a pore closure, they can even be laid in the shower, where they will also impress with their high slip resistance and durability. In contrast, the pebble mosaics are tiles in the true sense of the word. The pebble mosaics are available in all natural shades and are made of real natural stone.

Stone floor for the bathroom

. Natural stones can not be missing in a particularly luxurious design of the bathroom. These include, for example, travertine, marble, slate or granite. From the timeless and noble appearance of the natural stones benefits every bathroom to a great extent. Due to the fact that natural stones have an open-pored surface, they can handle moisture very well and are not negatively affected by fluctuating temperatures, which are the order of the day in the bathroom. In addition, natural stones are exceedingly robust and scratch-resistant. Their great heat conduction is also worth emphasizing with natural stone floors. They can therefore be ideally combined with underfloor heating. However, untreated, the surface of natural stones can prove to be extremely slippery, which is why tumbled, brushed or roughened natural stones should be selected for the bathroom floor. With them, the floor of the shower can also be excellently equipped. Fig.: shannonrphillips/pixabay.com