Using wooden flooring throughout a home is a no-brainer for many homeowners. The look and feel just add an element no other material can match, but issues can arise when wooden flooring is suggested for the bathroom.
You’ll find arguments on both sides of the coin when it comes to wooden flooring in the bathroom. Your job is to carefully weigh your options and go over the pros and cons so you can make an educated choice.
Wood Flooring Options
If you are considering using wood for your bathroom flooring, it’s a good idea to get a handle on your options before you decide. For the most part, using softer woods like pine and fir is frowned upon, because they have a tendency to absorb moisture, which bathrooms produce a lot of. Some hardwood options you may want to consider include oak, cedar, teak, maple, cherry, walnut, hickory and ash.
Wood Flooring Pros
Some of the pros of having wooden flooring in your bathroom here are the same as having it in any other room of your house. You’ll be barefoot a lot of the time in the bathroom, and a wood floor is usually warmer and more comforting than tile. The colour of a wood floor is also more inviting than the relative coldness of tile.
The look of wooden flooring in your bathroom can’t really be matched by any other material. Just as wood floors look beautiful in the rest of the house, they also look beautiful in the bathroom. Every plank of a hardwood floor tends to have its own personality, making you feel at one with nature. Wood floors are also on their own when it comes to interior design, as they don’t follow the trends and whims of the industry.
Wood Flooring Cons
Most of the cons that are part of having wooden flooring in your bathroom deal with the moisture aspect. Wood will expand and plump and warp, and if you don’t apply a quality coating or finish to it after installation, you may be in for trouble.
If you nail your hardwood planks to the subfloor, there will be holes in the moisture barrier underneath, which will allow moisture to seep down inside when water inevitably splashes on the floor’s surface. Using adhesives or click together wooden floors is a better way to go to prevent moisture issues.
Mold and mildew are also one of the cons of wood flooring, and the likelihood is much higher because of the humidity level inside the standard bathroom. As you probably know, mold creates odours that are unpleasant and can also create serious health issues for members of your household.
Check Your Warranty
If you’re intent on using wooden flooring in your bathroom, check the warranty to see if it still applies for a bathroom installation that requires quality bathroom accessories. With some brands and styles, the warrant is voided if you install it in an environment where high moisture and humidity exist, like a bathroom exhaust fans with light and heater.
Make sure you use bath mats where possible, clean up spills as soon as possible and use a finish that repels water and keeps your floor safe.
Author Bio
Margaret Perron is an appliance repair do-it-yourselfer, home solutions enthusiast and a home maker. With over 10 years experience in the home improvement business she is well suited to advise you on the best solution for identifying and locating the best home services in your area. You can follow her at Google+.