Plank tiles for the bathroom - which ones to choose?
September 2022, author: Tomasz Kuc, customer advisor
Floorboards are a common finishing element in interiors, but they aren’t associated with bathroom decor. Doubts about their use come mostly from the conviction that they aren’t resistant to moisture. Nonetheless, we can see a change here and the market has some suggestions we can consider.
Bathroom is usually associated with ceramic tiles, but with the variety of finishing materials available nowadays, we can get tempted for slightly more originality. This is one of the reasons why bathroom plank tiles gain in popularity. Nevertheless, not every plank tiles will work equally well. What kind of bathroom blanks are suitable, then?
What will work well instead of ceramic tiles?
Contents
Plank tiles for the bathroom? Yes, but only the waterproof ones
Bathrooms have completely different conditions than all other interiors. They have quite a specific microclimate and a high level of humidity. This is the reason why some finishing materials wouldn’t be used there. They would deteriorate and deform quickly, and an unpleasant musty smell would appear in the interior. This is what would until recently have happened with plank tiles. However, now that technology has advanced significantly, there are waterproof planks to choose from, which are not only much more durable and resistant to moisture, but will also look amazing.
For the bathroom planks to be durable and perform their functions perfectly, the manufacturer must take care of their proper protection. Their surface is covered with a special impregnator, whose task is to protect them against water absorption. Besides, the planks should be laminated, which protects not only against water, but also against discoloration and abrasion. Besides, the planks are connected by long strips, which greatly increases their tightness.
How about vinyl planks for the bathroom?
Laminate planks for the bathroom will undoubtedly be a success, although this is not the only option that investors have. You can also consider vinyl (PVC) models. In case of laminate planks, the construction is based on several layers. First, there is the paper reinforcement, then the wood, and on top of these is the resin coating. Vinyl planks for the bathroom, on the other hand, have cork underneath, and on top of it is HDF, which are wood fibers of high hardness. Then comes decorative vinyl, and on top of it is transparent PVC.
Bathroom – not only plank flooring
Simply including planks in your bathroom design will impress and will make the interior look attractive.
However, you can go a step further and think about getting vinyl planks for the bathroom walls. An even more interesting effect can be achieved by opting for ceiling planks for the bathroom. It can give a great result, but we need to remember that choosing different color than white for the ceiling will optically shrink the bathroom, so it’s better to resign from this option in smaller spaces. In a spacious bathroom it will work great, though. Looking from the technical perspective, bathroom planks can be used not only in the bathroom, but in any other demanding interior. They can freeze, however, so don’t place them in rooms where the temperature drops below 0°C.
If the investor is looking for
a unique decoration for their interior, then, in addition to finishing the floor and walls, splashbacks for the bathroom are worth considering. They will be an equivalent of paintings or photo wallpapers in other rooms. Till now, they were mostly placed above the kitchen countertop, but nowadays they are also gaining in popularity in the bathroom. They can have any design on, like forest, sea or abstraction, which will enliven the whole arrangement. They will look spectacular with wood-like flooring. And being made of glass, they are easy to clean and resistant to moisture.
How to put bathroom plank tiles?
Since these planks have slightly different construction than those laid in other rooms, one of the questions that investors ask themselves is how to properly place vinyl planks on bathroom walls and floors?
One of the undoubted advantages of this solution is its installation, which is much quicker than gluing traditional ceramic tiles. This applies not only to vinyl plank tiles, but also to laminate ones. The most important thing is to take exact measurements of the surface where the waterproof flooring will be laid. This will allow you to fit the plank to the right size and avoid cutting and unnecessary waste.
The second matter is the underlayment. Just like bathroom PVC planks, it must be resistant to moisture and water. High-quality underlayment will not only increase the strength of the surface, but will also even out any unevenness created on the walls and floors.
The installation method will depend on what kind of planks the investor buys.
Usually, they have the Quick-Step locking system, but it’s much easier to put them on the wall using glue. Placing self-adhesive bathroom wall panels is super quick, and the information found on the package will tell you how strong the glue is.
Advantages of bathroom plank tiles
Bathroom floorboards have a number of advantages, hence their growing popularity. First of all,
their outstanding aesthetics is appreciated. They come in a wide range of colors and can resemble wood, which as we know is elegant and refined. Since most
wood types aren’t suitable for the bathroom, wood-like planks will be an excellent alternative. They will warm up the interior, add coziness and emphasize its character.
Another advantage is easy installation. This applies to both Quick-Step locking system and self-adhesive planks. Moreover, vinyl planks can be laid over old ceramic tiles, so you can quickly refresh the bathroom without time-consuming removal of tiles.
The bathroom floor is often wet, and if the surface isn’t suitable, there is a risk of slipping and falling. For this reason, non-slip ceramic tiles are recommended, but how about floor planks? They can have special non-slip rubber strips as well, which significantly increases safety.
It’s also worth looking at the convenience of their use. Bathroom plank tiles guarantee much more comfort than ceramic tiles. They are warmer, making stepping on such a floor more pleasant. Another advantage is that they are easy to clean. There’s no need for arduous scrubbing; just wipe the floor and walls with a damp cloth and you’re done, just like in case of ceramic tiles. Besides, they are very resistant to abrasion and will last for a long time.
Do waterproof plank tiles for the bathroom have any drawbacks?
When choosing finishing materials, we analyze not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages of different solutions. How is it in this case? Comparing ceramic and plank tiles, it is difficult to find serious disadvantages of the latter. In terms of comfort and installation, plank tiles come out better. Price-wise they are similar. The only disadvantage may be the fact that if we are using planks, there will be no real wood in the bathroom.
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