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Can Vinyl Plank Flooring Go In a Bathroom? Types, Drawbacks & FAQs
Pete Ortiz
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Whether renovating an old bathroom or putting up flooring for a completely new bathroom project, vinyl plank flooring is an excellent option for many homeowners. These easy to install floor planks will make any space seem luxurious and elegant. They are incredibly affordable and easy to install and maintain.
That said, before going into any renovation project, you’ll have to research if this option is the right one for you. Vinyl planks are a great option, but there are some important considerations, which we’ll discuss below.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
When it comes to vinyl flooring that is ideal for a bathroom, there are a few choices.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent choice if you are looking for waterproof flooring. These vinyl floors are usually scratch-resistant, which makes them adored by many homeowners and gives them a fresh look for a long time, especially in bathrooms. They are made to resemble rock, wood, or even tile.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Vinyl sheets are rolled-out pieces of vinyl that provide a seamless installation. They are best for extremely wet bathrooms and you can even install them on your own. That said, they are considered to be less durable than vinyl planks.
Image By: Mak, Unsplash
Vinyl Tile Flooring
Vinyl tiles are another option for bathroom flooring that you can install easily as a DIY project. They are more expensive than vinyl sheets or planks and mostly resemble stone. If they become damaged, you can replace them with new vinyl tiles with their effortless peel-and-stick mechanism.
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Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent option for your bathroom floor as it’s scratch-resistant and waterproof. You can install it over your existing bathroom floor quickly, and you’ll love how warm and comfortable it is to walk on. Another fantastic thing about this flooring type is that it resembles hardwood flooring, costing way less than actual hardwood floors. Also, as vinyl is very adaptable, you can choose vinyl planks that look like other materials such as tile or stone. Due to so many variations, vinyl plank flooring can fit into any bathroom design, adding a contemporary and modern feel to the bathroom space.
Benefits of Bathroom Vinyl Plank Flooring
There are many benefits to adding vinyl planks to your bathroom flooring. Many homeowners choose this flooring option because of its practicality, affordability, and attractive appearance, but there are some other great benefits too.
Waterproof
Vinyl planks are built with a water-repellent layer that makes these planks 100% water-resistant. Vinyl planks are extremely durable and strong, and since water cannot harm them in any way, you will also be free of any warping or buckling, which is a common problem with other bathroom flooring.
Low-maintenance
Vinyl planks are one of the easiest options for flooring when it comes to maintenance. You’ll have a robust and long-lasting floor with minimal maintenance requirements. Occasionally sweep, vacuum, or mop the floor, and you will ensure your floor is well-maintained for a long time.
Comfortable
Vinyl plank floors are great insulators, which will make your floors quite warm and soft on your feet. This is especially great when it comes to bathrooms since everyone is used to bathroom tiles being cold. Vinyl planks will come as a real treat with their warmth and comfort.
Affordable
Vinyl planks are an excellent option for all homeowners because they are very affordable. They are usually much cheaper than other opinions for flooring and will give you a luxurious look and feel while being relatively economical.
Easy to install
The greatest part about vinyl flooring is how easy it is to install them on our own. They are adjustable to size, adaptable to any shape, and they are very easy to put up on top of your original flooring. Depending on the size of the space you are looking to upgrade, this project can take a day or two to finish.
Image Credit: Jon Tyson, unsplash
Drawbacks of Vinyl Plank Flooring in a Bathroom
Although vinyl plank flooring is very convenient and affordable, it does have some downsides you should know about before installing it in your bathroom. Check out some of the major drawbacks of vinyl plank flooring below.
It’s difficult to remove
One of the most significant issues when having vinyl plank bathroom flooring is that it is complicated to remove. Typically, contractors glue down vinyl planks to your existing bathroom floor, and if you decide to change the flooring, you might have some obstacles along the way.
Image Credit: Needpix
The topcoat is sensitive to light
Most vinyl plank flooring has a non-durable topcoat that can quickly fade and get discoloration. It’s best to find ways to reduce the amount of light that shines on your vinyl floors to prevent this from happening, although that might make your bathroom seem darker than usual.
You cannot repair it
Although vinyl plank flooring is quite durable, if you puncture the planks you cannot repair them. Instead, you would need to replace it, which can take time, effort, and money.
You can definitely use vinyl plank flooring in your bathroom, although you should consider all the pros and cons before installing it. Overall, it will look good and won’t cost a fortune, but you should still do some careful research to determine if vinyl plank flooring is your best option.
Featured Image Credit: Suwatchai Pluemruetai, Shutterstock
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Writer
Pete Ortiz
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
