| Vinyl | Ceramic Tile | Cork | Porcelain Tile | Stone | |
| Available in a wide variety of colors and styles | Some | Yes | Some | Yes | No |
| Durability | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ease of Maintenance | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Vulnerable to heat and moisture | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Ease of Installation | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Cost | $ | $$ | $ | $$$ | $$$$ |
Vinyl is among the most affordable options for bathroom flooring. It’s easy to replace and it can be installed on top of other materials, so it requires less pre-job demolition. It’s flexible and can be replaced in segments. It can also be painted or colored to almost any specification and can mimic the look of tile, wood, and many other more expensive materials. Among the only drawbacks are aesthetics — vinyl doesn’t always look as nice as ceramic or stone and doesn’t have the same feel.
More expensive than vinyl, ceramic tile comes in a seemingly infinite array of colors, shapes, and patterns. Homeowners choose it for its aesthetic beauty and resistance to moisture. Also, tile is tough. Not only do they last longer than most other flooring materials, but ceramic tiles are fireproof. They can’t burn, give off smoke, or emit toxic fumes. Ceramic tile however is less dense than porcelain tile allowing it to be cut more easily, but isn’t as durable long term.
Cork is hypoallergenic and resistant to water, mold, mildew, and termites. It is highly resistant to fire and is comfortable on bare, bathroom feet. An excellent alternative to wood, cork repels dust and doesn’t get cold the way tile or stone flooring does on chilly winter mornings. It is renewable and environmentally sustainable — cork floors are green no matter what color you choose. Malleable cork bounces back, meaning it resists indentations from heavy objects. Properly maintained, cork floors should last 40 years.
Porcelain tiles resist water and are easy to install, clean, and maintain. Since they contain less clay and are pressed harder than ceramic, they’re denser and harder, making them perfect for high-traffic areas like the bathroom. Porcelain is associated with toilets — and that’s because it resists dulling and scratching from frequent scrubbings with tough, abrasive cleaners. Porcelain is also a great chameleon, with the ability to authentically recreate the look of stone, marble, granite, quartz, and many other materials.
Whether it’s marble, sandstone, flagstone, granite, slate, or limestone, stone flooring is the epitome of luxury and beauty. It also comes in every conceivable color and texture. Stone is among the priciest of all flooring options, but if you have the means, it will pay you back. Stone should last a lifetime and can increase the value of your home as an amenity at resale.
Your bathroom floor carries a large burden. Frequent exposure to water, heavy foot traffic, frequent cleaning, and dramatic changes in temperature put heavy demands on whatever material you choose. Bathroom floors can be both beautiful and durable, just make sure you examine the pros and cons of whichever material you choose.