Is Rubber Flooring Good For Bathrooms?

Bathrooms are one of the most used areas in a home. For this reason, whther during a remodel or initial construction, it is key to select a flooring material that is functional, cost-effetive, easy to install and maintain, not forgetting attractive.

Homeowners have a variety of options when it comes to bathrooms flooring, from rolled vinyl to rubber, to terrazzo, among others. Each flooring material however has its pros and cons. In this article we will look specifically at rubber flooring to determine its feasibility as a bathroom flooring material.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Bathroom Floor

Waterproofing

Despite water damage 1 in 50 American homeowners every year, many people overlook proper waterproofing practices when it comes to installing their bathroom floor. In fact, according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), water damage claims are the second most frequent insurance claim, after wind and hail damage.

Insurance can help in case of a sudden flood or leak, but they typically don’t cover gradual damage which can occur when a minor leak goes on for a long time. To avoid these situations where you will have to pay out of pocket, opt for a naturally waterproof flooring material, and back it up by applying a waterproofing solution on the underfloor. 

Good grip / Anti-slip

Among all rooms in a home, the bathroom is where a good gripping floor is most important. This is because a study showed that approximately 80% of bathroom injuries result from falls. Anti-slip floors are especially important in homes that elderly people live in because they are more likely to fall, and more likely to suffer serious injuries from falling. 

If you end up opting for a flooring material that doesn’t have great anti-slip properties, you can enhance it in several ways:

• Install friction mats in the highly used areas, such as under the shower and in the walkway. 
• Apply a non-slip coating. This coating is usually transparent but can slightly alter the look of your chosen flooring. For example if you had a glossy floor, it may appear a little matte after applying the non-slip coating. You’ll need to re-apply this coating after some time when it’s worn and torn.
• Use surface modifiers. Surface modification involves using acidic substances to etch the surface of the floor, in order to provide more grip. In order for this technique to work, the floor has to contain calcium carbonate, which most tiles and stone floors do. For this reason, some synthetic products like vinyl are unsuitable for this treatment. After treatment, the resulting floor surface acts like a car tyre, dispersing water away from the downward force of a footstep, creating a dryer surface underfoot for increased traction.

Cost of materials and installation

Whether it’s a newly built bathroom or a renovation project, costs can rise quickly given how much work and planning a bathroom requires. In fact, according to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to remodel a bathroom is $11,204, coming second to only the kitchen, whose remodel costs an average of $25,847.

Before you go out and buy materials, you need to take stock of all the types of material you will need, as well as their quantities. Then proceed to take quotes from different suppliers. Don’t forget to also ask for quotes from the professionals you will hire to install the bathroom. Once you’ve done all this, you can pick the options that best fit your budget. However remember not to max out your budget during this phase because the quote and final price may be different. 

Durability

With such a highly used room as the bathroom, frequent repair to the flooring would be highly inconvenient. This is why it is important to get bathroom flooring that is made strong to last long. 

By selecting a waterproof material, you will avoid water damage. Also, since bathrooms carry lots of different products like medicines, bleach, among other chemical based products, make sure your floor has at least good resistance to chemicals and solvents. To prevent water seeping to the underfloor, opt for a tear resistant underfloor. 

Aesthetics & Comfort

Taking a simple stroll on the streets of Pinterest, you will find more bathroom design ideas than you could ever consume – from monochromatic minimal themes to replicas of 18th century bathrooms.

Once you’ve pored over all the design options out there, choose a bathroom flooring that will match your chosen theme. For example, for a bright minimal bathroom, you can opt for white ceramic tiles, with small color accents. Also, if you prefer soft flooring, you can go for something like rubber instead of a harder option like ceramic tiles.

Maintenance

A good bathroom floor should be easy and cheap to maintain, such that defects in the floor should be repaired quickly and in a cost effective manner. Rolled vinyl is a popular bathroom flooring material. However, tears or miscuts will require you to replace the whole floor most of the time. 

Part of maintenance is daily cleaning. Opt for a material that is easy to clean and is quick-drying, to prevent stuffy or moldy rooms. 

5 Reasons Why Rubber Is Ideal For Bathroom Flooring

High Durability

Rubber flooring is a highly dense material, enabling it to take on heavy loads and high foot traffic for extended periods of time while resisting damage and degradation. The hardiness of rubber also makes it resistant to extreme temperatures, as well as chemicals.

Water-resistant

Rubber is naturally a water resistant material due to it not containing water soluble compounds. This water resistance prevents bath water from seeping through the seams and reaching the underfloor.

Mold and microbe resistant

Rubber, despite it being derived from plants, does not support growth of fungus, mold, bacteria and other microbes. It also does not make a good home for insects. This property coupled with it’s water resistance means you wont have to worry about a stuffy or moldy bathroom.

Soft and warm underfoot

Rubber has good elastic properties. It is not only elastic when being stretched but also during compression. For this reason, when you step on a rubber floor, it depresses giving you a soft underfoot feeling, unlike hard flooring such as ceramic tiles or natural stone. If you prefer this kind of comfort, rubber flooring is for you

Good grip

Most rubber flooring is naturally non-slip. However, in some cases, rubber flooring can become slippery when wet. To prevent accidents, ask for textured rubber which will provide more grip to your feet in the bathroom.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of the properties of rubber as bathroom flooring, you can look into what kind of rubber fits best in your home. At Rubcorp we offer the best EPDM pellets, among other rubber surfacing solutions to ensure you get the best finish as possible on your bathroom floors. Contact us today for more information.