What type of bathroom floor should we install? We are remodeling our bathroom and replacing just about everything in it. The current floor is 8 inch white ceramic tile that has cracked and "pulled up" from the floor. We have 5 kids and this bathroom is the only one in the house with a tub so the kids will still be using it quite a bit and they tend to get a lot of water on the floor because they like to play in the tub. I am a little concerned about putting in ceramic tile again and having the same thing happen but dh insists that putting in a vinly would look cheap. Does anyone have any suggestions?

By Heaventree on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 08:42 pm:

We have tile, however, I find it very cold. If I were to do it all over again and had the money, I would put in tile with the heating system underneath. I tend agree with your DH on the vinly thought.

Your current floor probably cracked and pulled up perhaps because of poor installation. You must make sure you have the proper subfloor and that the right type of product is used to lay your floor down.

By Melanie on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 09:00 pm:

What about a wood laminate? That would give a much nicer look than vinyl (how is that spelled???) but is probably more durable than tile.

By Frasersmama on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 09:00 pm:

I would go for tile as well, it holds up best under wet conditions. We had the same experience and DH had to install a thicker subfloor to prevent grout cracking. We have had no problems since our new installation 3 years ago.

By Frasersmama on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 09:02 pm:

Just to comment on Melanie's post, when we bought our old house it had laminate in the bathroom which quickly warped under the wet conditions. We were told by a flooring place that it is not a good option for bathrooms.

By Melanie on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 09:03 pm:

Ahhh, I stand corrected! LOL.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 09:58 pm:

Tile! Go for something with a little texture to make it less slippery.
When you want to sell your house, it will look better to have tile rather than some other flooring.
Ame

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 07:34 am:

I'd stick with ceramic tile with texture. I agree, if it cracked and pulled up, it was probably due to poor installation, or cracks in the slab underneath it.

When I bought my house 20 years ago it had vinyl in the bathrooms. Talk about pulling UP! It was disgusting, it got moldy/mildewy underneath too.

We had it replaced with ceramic and that has been THE best thing! Doesn't matter how much it gets wet, you just mop it up and it's good as new. Standing water won't hurt it like it will vinyl or other flooring. I'd definitely put new ceramic tile in. If there's something wrong with the slab underneath it, have it corrected before the new install.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 03:10 pm:

We have OLD tile in our bathroom, little brown squares, ala 1956. Bigger tiles would look so much nicer. Yeah, it's cold, but I figure that's what rugs are for. If we give Jasmine a bath and the rugs get all wet, I throw them in the washing machine!

By Eve on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 04:40 pm:

We have laminate wood in one bathroom and I love it. I have two friends who have had it for years in their bathrooms and entire houses and they have had no problems with moisture.

Good luck with whatever you decide!