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What You Need to Know

Carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and tile flooring.

Many homeowners who have hardwood floor throughout their base passion the color and richness that wood adds to any way .

But should that admit the bathroom ?

The looker of Sir Henry Joseph Wood floor is enough to compel many householder to instal this material in such an unlawful space . While there ’s no denying that aesthetics are significant , practicality is just as crucial to the choice of blow out of the water — and most professionals would agree that wood in a bathroom is not a wise decision . So what ’s a homeowner to do ? Luckily , there are some marvellous alternatives that can achieve a standardized look and feel . According to Paul Carter , EVP , Strategic Initiatives atEmpire Today , “ The most common issue we see is customers say they desire “ wood ” coldcock — when what they want is a woodwind instrument look . Once they are shown the optic smasher and the operation attributes of wood substitute , they speedily shift to Sir Henry Wood alternatives . ”

Wood flooring is seen in a bathroom.

Photo: Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

And if you truly want Sir Henry Joseph Wood floor in a bathroom , there are some consideration to keep in mind .

1. Professional installers typically don’t encourage having wood floors in the bathroom—and for good reason.

Installers see the personal effects of humidity and water on wood when removing floor , so most agree : no hardwood in the bathroom .

Wood is poriferous , so even when it ’s sealed , it sop up a bit of everything it get hold of . story will come in contact lens with water disregarding of how careful one is : bathing tub water splashes onto the floor , fuddled hands drip , toilets can spill over , and showers can generate steam that makes every aerofoil damp .

It ’s important that the flooring in the toilet be strong enough to defy these environmental elements , and wood just ca n’t . As moisture step by step builds up the floorboard will begin to warp , curl , and discolor , eventually popping up installation nails and the boards themselves . The forest will stain and eventually lead off to decompose .

Empire Today Flooring

Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation via Getty Images

In addition , water supply and wet will seep between the boards . Even if they ’re installed tightly together , moisture will damage the subfloor and produce a complete atmosphere for mold and mildew to develop . Even if the floor is underlaid with water - resistant boards , the comportment of moisture between the wood and the subfloor will boost mold growth — the water resistivity simply ensure that there is nowhere else for the piss to go .

eventually , in a bathroom , water will pool in places and cause extra harm , along with peeling and cupping of the circuit board .

While wood can be sealed in ways that make it slightly more suitable for a sozzled environment , it will require much more criminal maintenance than other type of flooring . According to Carter , “ woodwind flooring in bathroom is in general a bad idea , unless it is extremely treated with resins and other chemistry to make it waterproof . ” The price of keep water underground is typically more expensive than the general criminal maintenance of other floor — and is n’t a guarantee that no water supply damage will occur . In the long run , it will involve refinishing and replacement much sooner than other floor . Constant refinishing will eventually make the Sir Henry Wood too thin , so the floor will demand to be replaced sooner too . Installers recognise this because they ’re the unity who pull up damage wood flooring to supervene upon it on a even fundament .

A view of a bathroom with wood flooring.

Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation via Getty Images

2. Choosing wood flooring for a bathroom can invalidate warranties.

warrantee for Mrs. Henry Wood flooring will most often let in the program line not to wet - mop the floor or employ household cleaner on the hardwood . In addition , most come to to “ normal household conditions , ” which admit unchanging humidity and temperature — two things that are impossible to wield in a bathroom , even with a dehumidifier and fan . Almost anything that constitutes “ extravagant wet ” will invalidate a hardwood storey guarantee . Throughout the home , this can admit H2O damage happen beneath windows or inside exterior door , scathe due to roof or plumbery leaks , and any case where it ’s evident that water was allowed to stand for an protracted menstruation of time . Bathrooms meet the criteria of places where there would be “ excessive moisture ” , as humidness fluctuates with every bath or shower , and the potential for splashes of urine , burst pipes , or overflows are much more significant than in other part of the abode . As a result , even if the warrantee does n’t specifically refer bathrooms , the instruction to avoid wet mops and excessive wet can make it very , very difficult to successfully register a warranty call .

3. Wood-look flooring is an alternative that can achieve the look you want without the drawbacks of wood.

There are several option for householder who want a woods look for their bathroom floor but know the drawback of using standard hardwood . These options may not haveexactlythe same astuteness or character as wood , but they will offer much the same tone and a standardised spirit without the drawback and maintenance of Ellen Price Wood . “ There are beautiful laminate , vinyl , and tile options that move out the concern of drips , slobber , drop , and spills common to bathrooms but still give you the aspect of real forest , ” says Carter . Empire Today has some trulyconvincing optionsthat can achieve that desired look and feel without the risks of using genuine hardwood .

engineer wood flooring is , in fact , wood , but it ’s processed in a way that enormously subdue the maintenance and proclivity to warp . Manufacturers take plyboard , which is itself made from many lean layer of Mrs. Henry Wood and glue , and apply a thin stratum of hardwood on top using a chemical bond that cook the piece nearly impervious to moisture . The wood look is there , but the solidity of the layers and the material in the mucilage used to bond it together keeps moisture from seeping in . There is still some risk to using engineered wood flooring in a bath , as its water - resistor calculate on the lineament of the induction . If the boards are not march up tightly enough together , it ’s still possible that moisture will ooze between the boards . While the board wo n’t cup or warp , the subfloor is still vulnerable , make mold growth more likely .

Luxury vinyl radical board floor ( LVP ) or sheet vinyl radical floor that is designed to seem like woods can be another great alternative . LVP features spit - in - groove plank that meet tightly together , cut the likelihood of seepage , and looks quite convincingly like forest planks . Warping is still a possibility , but much less so , and supplant an LVP storey is importantly less pricy than replacing a hardwood trading floor should that become necessary . Sheet vinyl is also budget - friendly , and while not quite as convincing as LVP , has the benefit of being truly rainproof as long as the edges are carefully sealed . Vinyl in both forms has a warm feeling underfoot that , while not the same as wood , is much easy and less shameful than tile during cold months . When choosing vinyl radical , ascertain it ’s give away for a besotted arena .

Light-colored wood flooring is installed in a bathroom with white walls and fixtures.

Photo: LockieCurrie via Getty Images

Newer to the market than Sir Henry Joseph Wood or vinyl radical , Ellen Price Wood - face tile is a fantastic option . Made of ceramic or porcelain , the finishing on this roofing tile closely mimics Sir Henry Wood caryopsis in both appearance and texture . It wo n’t have the quick feel of Grant Wood , but in every other aspect , Sir Henry Wood - look roofing tile pass the appearance of being real woods . This kind of tile can be set up with grout stemma that appear to be seams between board or , calculate on the manufacturer , with a groutless looking at . Highly resistant to staining , with no danger of warp and very minimal likeliness of water supply ooze as long as the grout is now and then sealed , Grant Wood - aspect tile is less costly than hardwood but offers a more luxurious culture than vinyl .

4. Whether you are choosing to install wood flooring in a bathroom or if you already have wood flooring in your bathroom, maintaining the area is key to avoiding issues like mold, warping, staining, and more.

What if there ’s already Mrs. Henry Wood flooring in the bathroom ? Or what if , for any reason , wood is really the only choice for flooring in a bathroom remodel ? As with any type of floor , the in effect elbow room to prevent damage is through careful and even maintenance . For woodwind flooring in a bathroom , the maintenance will be a bit more intensive than for other kinds of floors .

5. Wood flooring is ultimately better suited for other areas of the home.

If a homeowner ’s visual modality of their lavatory includes a warm and stylish hardwood floor , it ’s sure enough an option — as long as the homeowner is prepared to preserve the level and deal with the worriment of on a regular basis checking the seal , managing damp bathmats , and keep tabs on the humidity levels . But there are strong choice to choose from , especially with the improvements in LVP and tile wood - face flooring . With the range of colors and grains available for LVP and roofing tile , it ’s likely that even the most discerning homeowner will be able to find an choice that matches or closely resembles the woodwind that exists in the rest of the family . take a society that offers all of the types of knock down under condition should allow homeowner to compare the options under the guidance of installers who understand the pro and sting of each type . Because the hardwood alternatives are likely to last longer , protect the body structure of the home , increase the stability of the subfloor , and keep mildew and mold at alcove , it ’s best to allow hardwood shine in the areas of the household where it ’s best suited and choose a different option for the bathroom .

If you ’re still not certain about your flooring choice for the lav , lease a flooring professional from one of thebest ball over companieslikeEmpire Todaycan help . By go directly to a party have it off for caliber flooring and instalment , you ’ll avert falling forflooring scamsormaking coarse mistakes when redoing level .

Empire Today apply expert who know how to aid customers sail the many choices they have and at long last serve them choose the good flooring . And perhaps most importantly , they have a line of eminent - quality products that can make choosing shock an easy and exciting experience .

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