Laminate flooring is a relatively new product in the U.S. market, though it has enjoyed widespread popularity in Europe for several years. This flooring is produced by thermo fusing melamine-saturated photographically imprinted decorative paper to a substrate (typically medium-density fiberboard, or MDF). It can resemble wood-grain plank flooring, marble, ceramic tile, and even stone and is remarkably realistic. I’ve used decorative laminate panels for years in cabinetry and have found the material to have many very good qualities. Unfortunately, moisture resistance isn’t one of them. The melamine-coated surface is fine, but the substrate swells when it picks up moisture, which could lead to problems in a bathroom installation.
But why not choose the real thing instead of a look-alike. The relatively small floor area of a bathroom means that options like marble, slate, or other natural stones would not be prohibitively expensive. Slate, a softer sedimentary stone, is a good choice when a durable but unobtrusive stone floor is desired. Granite, an igneous rock, is much harder and resistant to scratches and staining. Its veining (from other minerals contained within it, like quartz and mica) makes it a more distinctive floor material. Steer clear of polished granite for flooring; it looks dramatic, but it’s very slippery when wet. A better choice is a matte finish. Polished marble is also very slippery, and etched or honed marble is better for flooring. Marble is also susceptible to stains and scratching because it is a porous and soft type of limestone.
Don’t overlook other flooring options. I’ve seen elaborately painted plywood floors that look quite nice, and one of the high points of visiting my grandmother’s house as a child was the warm, thick carpet that she had in her bathroom. Of course, carpet would have been a disaster in our own house, with seven children using the facilities, but for retired folks where warmth underfoot is a real issue, carpet might make sense. What our bathrooms could have used instead was commercial rubber tile, a virtually indestructible and maintenance-free flooring.
This widely available flooring isn’t commonly seen in residential settings, but it’s attractive, comes in a wide range of colors, and its durability makes it a good choice for bathroom floors. It has lost its popularity in recent years but is slowly making a comeback as more people discover the durability and maintenance free properties.
Overall it’s worth taking time to select the right floor covering since it is likely to be in place for many years and also bring substantial pleasure if the correct choice is made.
