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Vinyl in the bathroom, its pros and cons

When you are ready for a new floor in the bathroom, you have to take all kinds of things into account. How strong is the floor? How long will the floor last? That is of course always important, even if you opt for a new floor in the bathroom, you want to make a sustainable choice, right? What is your budget for a new floor? There are also many different types of floors to choose from, including for the bathroom. You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of vinyl flooring in the bathroom here, as well as some information about PVC flooring in the bathroom.

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PVC or vinyl in the bathroom

PVC is an abbreviation that stands for polyvinyl chloride. This type of plastic is used as a basis to make these floors. PVC offers a number of major advantages, because PVC floors are very strong and scratch-resistant, so that the floor lasts longer. Perhaps not always necessary for a bathroom floor, but still useful to know.

These floors are also available in all kinds of different looks and patterns, for example you can choose a herringbone floor or a sleek concrete look. PVC floors are almost indistinguishable from the real material. With PVC floors you have the choice to have it installed by means of a click connection or to have it glued. You can also choose to lay PVC in strips and tiles. When you choose PVC, make sure that you have a good surface. This can be done by leveling or by laying a good subfloor. You can read more about this in my blogs about our new PVC floor in the living room.

A big advantage is that in a small bathroom, for example, you can choose a design that is not too busy, so that the floor appears larger than when you lay smaller tiles.

Vinyl bathroom floor

Vinyl is often compared to PVC because they are very similar. That's right, but the biggest difference is the bottom layer. Vinyl is a bit softer than PVC and you can buy it in a wall-to-wall version.

That means you can cut larger pieces in one go. Vinyl is therefore certainly a good choice, you can vary endlessly with it, just like PVC. In addition, vinyl is also very maintenance-friendly. You can also choose from several designs, colors and patterns for vinyl. For example, create a beautiful wood look for your bathroom. Make sure that you have a smooth surface when laying the floor, so you get the best result.

Because vinyl has a somewhat softer top layer than PVC and you can lay this floor in one piece, vinyl in the bathroom is an excellent choice. You usually walk barefoot in the bathroom, so damage to the floor is not an issue quickly.

The fact that the vinyl is made of one piece has the advantage that you can lay it completely seamlessly. This is of course very pleasant in a damp room. You can completely seal the edges in the same color and then your vinyl floor in the bathroom is completely waterproof. For the best result, make sure you have a smooth subfloor. So don't lay it over an old tiled floor, but have it leveled properly.

Hint :Find a vinyl that is the right width, wider than your bathroom floor. In this way, the floor in the bathroom can really be laid in one piece. This gives the best result and is even more waterproof.

Advantages of vinyl in the bathroom

  • Waterproof
  • In one piece
  • Available in all kinds of patterns and designs, also in wood look or concrete look patterns
  • Less trouble with limescale than on tiles
  • Suitable for underfloor heating
  • Soft top layer that makes the floor very comfortable on your bare feet
  • Easy to maintain

Disadvantages of vinyl floor in bathroom

I can't think of many drawbacks, except that -if your chosen vinyl is not the right width- you may have an extra seam visible in your floor. That could be less aesthetically pleasing. However, there is plenty of choice for beautiful vinyl that is wide enough.

My advice is to have a vinyl floor in the bathroom installed by a specialist. The floor must be glued and of course you want it not only to fit well, but also to be glued in such a way that you do not get air bubbles under the floor. We have noticed that ourselves.

Both floors fit well in your home

Because both floors are well resistant to moisture, they are ideal for the kitchen or bathroom. Both vinyl and PVC are also suitable if you want to use underfloor heating, which is also great for your bathroom floor. In addition, they are both easy to maintain. If you opt for a somewhat stronger but more expensive material, you should go for PVC, but if you would like to have a large space installed quickly and at a lower cost, then vinyl may be the right choice.

It's not easy to choose between PVC or vinyl, but try checking them out in a store or get inspiration from friends and family. A floor is the foundation of your home, so choose what makes you happy!