Jan 12

Jan 12 Fit for purpose

abode Magazine

Bathroom, Flooring

Selecting the right flooring material across all areas of the home is imperative – but never more so than in a wet area like the bathroom. Karin Hubber explains

Quick-Step's Impressive laminate flooring in White Varnished Oak

Quick-Step's Impressive laminate flooring in Classic Oak Beige

Quantum Group Tracks Collection

When it comes to bathroom flooring, your first consideration needs to be waterproofing, followed by safety underfoot, design and cost of finishes. If not undertaken correctly, waterproofing can result in huge repair costs. From there, you can personalise your flooring to meet your needs and style.
Offering resilience and the ability to replace damaged planks with ease, vinyl planking is one of the most popular choices in wet area flooring and has grown in popularity since the earthquakes. There is a huge range in terms of colours and width; while the addition of vinyl tiles has allowed for personalisation and generated wow factor – as you can add a border or even grouting to make a statement.
Laminate flooring is a great option throughout the rest of the home as it is easy to maintain, scratch resistant and incredibly hardwearing; however most laminates aren’t suitable for wet areas. The newest addition to the Quick-Step flooring range, ‘Impressive’, has been re-engineered to include a water-repellent HydroSeal coating, making it the most waterproof laminate on the market.
Make sure your flooring allows for easy cleaning: for example, if you have porcelain tiles, use Kerapoxy grout. Standard grout is porous and can harbour mould and soap residue – making it really hard to clean. Short cuts should not be taken, or inferior products used, when it comes to wet areas.
Your bathroom undergoes a lot of wear and tear so it is important to invest in products that will stand the test of time. Be sure to work with a flooring provider who listens to your needs and translates them into a functional, practical solution!

Tile trends

+ Tiles will always have a place in the bathroom and contrasting sizes and shapes are a great way to add colour, pattern or texture to your space.
+ When it comes to tiles, small is out and large is in: for floors 300x600 is preferable, and for floors, 600x600. A concrete or exposed aggregate aesthetic is very current.
+ Luxury vinyl planking and tiles are also extremely popular, and there is a huge range available: from beautiful wood-look planks through to more rustic options.
+ Vinyl tiles with imaging taken from the likes of reclaimed stonework are set to gain momentum in 2017 – with fantastic images of Travertine, Sandstone, Slate, York Stone and many more now available.