Installing vinyl flooring in the bathroom can be a relatively inexpensive alternative to traditional tiles. It is also easier to put on than you think.
Benefits of placing vinyl flooring in the bathroom
Installing vinyl flooring in the bathroom is a popular choice among homeowners because of the great value of vinyl. You can find them in a wide range of styles, designs and colors that can perfectly match the decoration of any bathroom. Vinyl is also resistant to water and stains, quite versatile and has great durability, considering its cost.
Waterproof
As a floor option for your bathroom, it has many benefits, among them: it is almost completely impermeable to water, which is obviously a great advantage for this space or any other room where there is a probability of moisture or leakage from water , like cooking.
Much more comfortable
It’s also much more comfortable to walk on than many other flooring options – it feels soft , and the more exclusive vinyl vinyl flooring options have a padded underlay to make the tread more comfortable. Unlike stone or ceramic tiles, in winter it maintains temperatures, so trips to the bathroom late at night or early in the morning are not as traumatic for the toes.
Easy to fit
Vinyl is easier to install than other flooring options, although you must make sure that the floor on which it is to be installed is completely smooth , as lumps and bumps can appear. It is easily cut to fit into nooks and crannies of different shapes and around all bathroom fixtures such as shower screens and toilets.
Quite durable
Another great advantage of placing vinyl flooring in the bathroom is that it is easy to maintain and extremely durable . It is more resistant to stains than other flooring options, such as wood. High-quality vinyl floors can last up to 20 years with good care. Also, if the vinyl flooring is tile, you can replace only the damaged parts with new ones without having to change the entire installation.
Disadvantages of placing vinyl flooring in the bathroom
Despite its advantages, placing vinyl flooring in the bathroom has its disadvantages:
Difficult to remove
The first major problem with vinyl floors is that they are quite difficult to remove . If you make the decision to install it, when you want to remodel the bathroom, you will have a lot of difficulties to remove it. This can be quite overwhelming, especially when you install vinyl flooring in your bathroom for a temporary purpose.
Easy to drill
Although vinyl flooring is quite durable, it is much less durable than other materials such as tile, hardwood, and laminate. This material can be more easily damaged by sharp materials such as a knife. An activity like sliding a metal chair across the floor can also damage the vinyl. Also, if you have heavy objects on the ground, it can show signs of dents.
Non-durable top coat
Vinyl floors come with a top coat that is not very durable. They are also not usually resistant to UV rays and can begin to show symptoms of discoloration and fading in a short period of time. If you decide to put vinyl flooring in your bathroom, think about ways to limit the amount of natural light that enters the room, as this helps reduce damage.
It is not biodegradable
Vinyl floors are not biodegradable, which means that they cannot be recycled , therefore it can negatively affect the environment. This is not an advantage for environmentalists.
Has little to no effect on home values
Vinyl floors are fairly inexpensive to install. This could save you a lot of money, but this advantage does not affect the value of your home . Therefore, if you plan to sell your house in the short term, it is best to use another material, such as ceramic tiles, on the floor of your bathroom.
How to install vinyl flooring in the bathroom
Here are the steps to place vinyl flooring in the bathroom in a simple way:
- Make sure that the entire floor is clean and smooth and that any element that could form any roughness when placing the vinyl floor in the bathroom has been removed: sand the surface lightly so that no protrusion protrudes; and then sweep the floor thoroughly.
- Fill the voids or cracks in the floor with putty or silicone with a gun: the ideal is to buy a filling specially designed for bathrooms and kitchens; Then remove any excess stuffing with a spatula.
- Stretch the vinyl, but don’t wrap it around the corners yet – leave about an inch to spare on each side; then draw a line on the vinyl with a pencil along the skirting board so you know where to cut.
- Use a utility knife to cut the vinyl along the lines you marked to fit against the baseboard.
- To place the vinyl flooring in the bathroom around the corners, cut a triangular wedge in the excess vinyl, with the point of the triangle at the point of the corner; then trim the excess as usual.
- Now it’s time to apply the glue : it is advisable to use a mask to protect yourself from dust if your bathroom is poorly ventilated. Heavy “lay flat” vinyl does not need adhesive; padded vinyl can be glued around the edges and around the base of the sink or toilet; thinner vinyl should stick to the floor all over.
- Remove the vinyl from the walls : dip a putty knife into the glue and let the excess glue drip off before applying it; Next, spread the glue on the floor starting at the bottom of the bathroom and working your way to the door.
- Use a sponge to gently smooth the glued vinyl onto the floor, moving the sponge from side to side to remove air bubbles.
