Floors in the bathroom: Laminates can now handle the realm of Poseidon as well

Regarding the relationship between ceramic tiles and bathrooms, it could be said that they are a matter of the heart, as they were almost made for each other. However, thanks to new technologies, previously unimaginable materials such as wood, vinyl, mineral SPC floors, and even laminates equipped with special Aqua-Stop coatings are vying for favor in a space where Poseidon reigns.

“The greatest danger to the floor in the bathroom is water and humidity, which it must withstand, and it is necessary to consider the safety factor – the surface must not be slippery. Ideally, the floor should be seamless with minimal interruptions and joints, easy to maintain. It is important to consider quality installation, preferably with full-surface adhesion, and careful finishing around the walls to prevent steam that condenses on the walls from getting under the covering, which could lead to mold,” advises Milan Mrkáček, regional sales manager at Kratochvíl parket profi.

Vinyl coverings are a suitable candidate, ideally glued over the entire area

Although vinyl coverings are inherently water-resistant, moisture can penetrate the substrate through the joints of individual pieces, even if they may be impregnated against moisture. “This treatment protects the joint only against short-term moisture exposure. In the case of vinyl on carriers, whether made of cork or HDF board, moisture leakage can cause these carriers to swell, resulting in irreversible damage to the covering,” warns Milan Mrkáček, regional sales manager at Kratochvíl parket profi. To eliminate this problem, it is more suitable to glue vinyl in rolls fully in the bathroom space. These rolls are three or four meters wide, meaning there are virtually no joints created during installation through which moisture could penetrate and cause damage.

In a bathroom setting, all the benefits of quality vinyl will come into play, which is moderately firm yet perfectly flexible, pleasant to the bare foot while being gentle on the joints, non-slip, and not cold to the touch. Other great features include high durability, the possibility of use on underfloor heating, low noise levels, and low installation and maintenance demands. It is also worth mentioning the wide range of patterns, especially credible imitations of natural materials. Quality vinyl floors (e.g., German WINEO, Czech KPP, etc.) are now completely health-safe, as reputable manufacturers use phthalate-free technologies.

Mineral SPC floors are also water-resistant

Another modern covering that is resistant to moisture is SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring, also known as rigid floors. This represents a new generation of purely natural yet extremely durable and user-friendly floors with a mineral core. The primary component of these coverings is crushed stone/minerals, to which polymers are added to ensure flexibility. Although SPC coverings (such as Swedish Kährs, Czech KPP, etc.) are sometimes called new vinyls, unlike them, they do not contain PVC or plasticizers, are fully recyclable, and also possess better mechanical properties: They are harder, stronger, and dimensionally more stable than vinyl floors while still being pleasant to the touch. Additionally, they are not demanding regarding the quality of the substrate, do not show every crack or dip, and can handle higher residual moisture in the substrate, allowing for earlier installation. They are installed using a floating method with very strong locking joints. For use in bathrooms, SPC coverings are suitable as they exhibit 100% water resistance.

Ecological elastic coverings will serve well in bathrooms

Health-safe and environmentally friendly are modern ecological elastic coverings (e.g., German WINEO PURLINE), whose composition is primarily based on a combination of natural and recyclable materials. Their potential disposal is therefore entirely problem-free; they can be thrown into regular waste. They are flexible organic floors without PVC, plasticizers, or chlorine, suitable for households with allergy sufferers or asthmatics. “Their high resistance to mechanical stress and chemical influence, a surface that is not cold and is pleasant for bare feet, as well as suitability for use on underfloor heating makes them an excellent choice for bathroom environments. They successfully resist dirt, are low-maintenance, requiring only clean water,” lists Milan Mrkáček the properties of ecological elastic coverings. Just like vinyl and SPC, ecological elastic coverings are available in countless design variations.

Exotic wooden floors can also work in the shower

Although moisture generally does not favor wood, manufacturers offer wooden floors that can serve excellently in the bathroom space. This primarily concerns coverings made from exotic or thermally modified woods. “Exotic woods typically have a high wood density; they are hard and oily. These properties help the wood withstand high humidity and direct contact with water. Coverings made from these woods can not only be installed in the bathroom area itself but also in the shower. The most commonly used exotic woods are teak, wenge, and massaranduba,” says Milan Mrkáček from KPP.

For European woods, resistance to moisture is achieved through thermal modification. This process gives the wood a resistance similar to that of exotic woods and also a darker color than untreated wood. The most commonly used types for this purpose are ash and pine. Thermally modified wood is usually recognizable by the word “thermo” in its name.

“I also recommend preventing the accumulation of steam (e.g., when filling hot water into the bathtub and home 'saunaing'), ensuring proper ventilation, and perfectly insulating the perimeter strips to prevent the penetration of condensation moisture and running water under the floor from the walls. It is important to emphasize that wooden floors are generally not suitable for these damp spaces. However, we have practical experience with satisfied users of Kährs wooden flooring specifically in the bathroom. It ultimately comes down to whether the customer is willing to take on the existing and previously described risks,” continues Milan Mrkáček from KPP.

Bathrooms are now accessible for laminate floors as well

Laminate floors had recently been banned from moist areas. While manufacturers managed to protect them against short-term exposure to water through joint treatments, such as wax impregnation, they could not withstand the long-term humidity present in bathrooms. Modern laminate floors from the German brand WINEO no longer suffer from this ailment, thanks to a special surface treatment of lateral joints Aqua-Stop, which has made them water-resistant coverings. They are fully and permanently protected against moisture and water penetration. The main advantage of laminate floors applicable in the bathroom is their resistance to falling hard objects, easy installation, and an endless variety of decors. The downside remains the cold touch of the surface. “I do not expect an era of laminates in the bathroom to begin now, but the new Aqua-Stop protection will prevent damage during everyday household accidents, such as when a leaky flower pot spills over or when you accidentally over-water a plant. In the kitchen, it won't be a problem if the dishwasher leaks,” lists the benefits of the new technology Milan Mrkáček from KPP.

Guaranteed 24-hour resistance to direct water exposure is one of the advantages of the German laminate flooring collection Classen Choice. One of the world's three largest laminate manufacturers, Classen has confirmed water resistance in strict tests by the North American institution NALFA, achieving ten times better values than required. Water resistance results from a special hydrophobic coating on the locking joints called megaloc aqua protect.

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