Most people automatically think of tiles or waterproof vinyl when brainstorming ideas for sprucing up the floors inside their bathrooms. Because wood is a porous material and tends to be negatively impacted by water and high levels of humidity, it is difficult to imagine wooden bathroom floors becoming a ‘thing’. However, the reality is that wooden bathroom flooring is, in fact, set to be a massive trend in 2021 and beyond.

So, is it a good idea? And how can you safeguard such an investment? Here’s what you need to know.

Is it safe to install wooden floors inside the bathroom?

In short, yes. Hardwood floors are safe to install inside the bathroom and are also a smart investment. They give your bathroom a warm, inviting feel and can add significant value to your home. Wood flooring is also a wonderful selling point because it is one of the most environmentally friendly options currently available on the market.

Are you worried about water damage and wear and tear as a result of humidity? The great news is that, nowadays, it is possible to invest in wooden bathroom flooring that has been effectively treated to withstand moisture. Usually, this involves painting on a strong sealant in multiple layers. The sealant is always translucent so that it will not alter the natural colour of the wood.

While you will still need to be careful in order to preserve its beauty for a long time to come, the sealant will help to ensure that your bathroom’s wooden flooring is a lot hardier than the traditional wood flooring that you might place elsewhere in the home.

How to protect bathroom wood flooring

As mentioned, the secret is opting for treated, engineered hardwood flooring. It is also vital to ensure that your bathroom is well-ventilated to reduce the lingering humidity following a bath or shower. There are a few simple ways to improve ventilation:

• Choose a door that has a significant gap at the bottom to allow for air exchange even when the bathroom door is closed.
• Install larger windows and open them as frequently as possible.
• Turn on your air conditioning or place a fan inside the room after steam has accumulated.

Along with improving ventilation, it is also a good idea to set down sizeable, absorbent rugs in areas of the bathroom that are at high risk of spills and splashes, such as next to the bath, in front of the shower, and beneath the sink. If spills do happen despite your best efforts, it helps to keep a mop close by so that you can quickly soak up any excess water before it has a chance to saturate the wood.

Where to find wooden flooring for the bathroom

Here at Woodstone, we specialise in beautiful wooden flooring for every room of the home – the bathroom included. We provide our clients with a broad selection of flooring options for this important room dedicated to preening and pampering. Hardwood floors are extremely trendy, but there are plenty more materials to choose from. Woodstone can also supply stunning tiles, laminate, and other synthetic flooring. For more information, get in touch today.