Choosing the right bathroom floor tile can be a difficult and time-consuming task in any bathroom remodel. There are several factors to keep in mind, whether it’s looks, performance, or cost. With so many different styles of floor tiles available, it’s getting more and more difficult to sort the good from the bad.
That’s why we created a list of the best bathroom floor tiles on the market. We’ll dive into everything you need to know about these popular floor tiles and even tell you which ones to avoid.
So, let's get into it and find out which bathroom floor tile is best for you.
Five best tiles for bathroom floors
Ceramic tile
One of the top choices among many industry experts, ceramic tiles are an excellent option for any bathroom floor, and a no-brainer to have on this list. Ceramic tiles are durable, low maintenance, and one of the most versatile bathroom flooring tile options available.
Ceramic tiles come in a huge range of colors, patterns, and sizes making it easy to find a style to fit your bathroom design. They are also offered in a variety of shapes, allowing you to choose between a simple square tile or a bolder mosaic tile.
Another reason for ceramic tiles being a popular bathroom flooring choice is their water-resistant properties and the fact that they will not absorb odors or bacteria. This not only means your tiles can last longer, but you will also find it easier to keep them looking good as new.
Cost
Along with being one of the best tiles for a bathroom floor, it is also one of the most affordable. For both labor and materials, ceramic tiles can range from $7 to $55 per square foot.
This means that to install ceramic tile flooring in a primary bathroom, you can expect to pay as much as $3,850. However, this price will vary depending on several factors such as the size of your bathroom, the style of ceramic tile, and your location.
Porcelain tile
Porcelain tile can do everything ceramic tile can do, but slightly better. Whether it is durability, water resistance, or versatility, porcelain tile comes out on top in most facets, not to mention they look great.
Similar to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are offered in a huge range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are also denser and harder than ceramic, which allows them to be more resistant to wear and tear and virtually impervious to water.
Porcelain tiles are also one of the easiest bathroom floors to maintain and clean. They require no special treatments or waterproofing and are stain-resistant so they can be easily cleaned with a mop and some all-purpose cleaner.
One thing to watch out for with porcelain tiles is that some styles can be very slippery when wet. A way to create more slip resistance is by choosing tiles with a matte or textured finish which will provide a bit more grip and make your bathroom a safer space.
Cost
Porcelain is slightly more expensive than ceramic tiles, but it can still be seen as an affordable bathroom floor.
For porcelain tiles, you can expect to pay between $3 and $30 per square foot on average (materials only). This results in a porcelain bathroom floor costing between $405 and $4,000 depending on the bathroom's size and style of porcelain.
Natural stone tile
Widely considered one of the most sought-after bathroom flooring materials, natural stone tiles can make any bathroom feel more luxurious. Natural stone tiles are incredibly durable and long-lasting and can even add value to your home. But, with natural stones' unique and elegant aesthetics also comes a price tag to match.
Natural stone offers a lot of versatility, with different stone types boasting a varying selection of colors and textures. Some of the most popular natural stones for bathroom floors include granite, slate, and limestone
The downside to natural stone tiles is that they are a porous material, which means without treatment they can be susceptible to water damage. Natural stone tiles will need to be sealed at least once per year and regularly cleaned.
Cost
The price for natural stone tiles will depend largely on the type of stone you’re interested in. If you want the high-end look of natural stone but do not want to pay a high-end price, then an option such as Nero Marquina marble is an excellent choice. Nero Marquina floor tiles can range between $14 to $30 per square foot (materials and labor) and are a popular natural stone option.
On the other end of the scale is a natural stone such as granite. Granite floor tiles can reach as high as $200 per square foot (materials only) making it the most expensive option on this list. You will then need to pay between $7 and $14 per sq. ft. in labor costs.
Glass tile
If a clean and contemporary bathroom is what you are after, then glass tiles are well worth a second thought. Not only can glass tiles offer a lot in the form of aesthetics, but they can also create the illusion of depth in your bathroom, making the space feel bigger.
While larger glass tiles can be used on a bathroom floor, they will usually come in the form of mosaic sheets. Glass tile will hold up well with whatever your bathroom has to throw at it with them being both water-resistant, durable, and scratch-resistant.
Glass tiles also have the benefit of requiring little to no maintenance. With glass tiles being non-porous and having an absorbency rate of 0%, once they are installed, they are very easy to clean and care for requiring no special sealers.
Cost
Installing glass tiles is one of the more expensive bathroom flooring options on this list. On average, glass tiles can cost between $20 and $200 (materials only). Installing a glass tile floor can also be a very difficult and intricate process which leads to much higher labor costs.
Linoleum tile
Linoleum has been a mainstay in US bathrooms for decades and remains an excellent flooring option, especially for health and eco-conscious homeowners. Made from natural and renewable materials such as linseed oil, cork powder, wood flour, and ground limestone, linoleum is both affordable and eco-friendly.
Linoleum is available in a wide array of colors, styles, and patterns and due to its durability and resistance to wear and tear it can stay looking like new. With linoleum being such a durable material, it will also require very little maintenance or upkeep, with an occasional mop or sweep doing the job just fine.
While linoleum is water resistant and an ideal option for bathroom flooring, some types of linoleum are susceptible to standing water and permanent damage can be made.
Cost
Compared to other bathroom floor tile options, linoleum tiles are a moderately priced material. You should expect to pay on average between $2 and $6.50 per square foot of linoleum tiles. However, they will require professional installation which can get expensive.
Best flooring tiles for small bathrooms
While all the tiles we have mentioned are worthy flooring options for a small bathroom, there are a couple that stand out.
The first type of tile that will make a fantastic flooring option for a small bathroom is porcelain tile. When it comes to versatility and performance, you can’t get much better than porcelain. It comes in a huge range of styles and sizes, so you can select what works for you. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to care for.
But, if you’re looking to make a real statement in a small bathroom and aren’t too worried about the expense, then it’s tough to go past a natural stone tile. Using a larger natural stone tile can help create the illusion of spaciousness and leave fewer grout lines. The unique natural colors and textures will also add a commanding presence to a small space.
Should you DIY or hire a professional?
With DIY projects being more popular than ever, you might be asking yourself whether to tile your own bathroom or hire a professional.
While you can turn tiling your bathroom floor into a DIY project, for someone who is inexperienced and lacks the appropriate skills, it can be a very difficult and time-consuming task. Both laying the tiles and preparing the surface require special tools and experience, as even the smallest of mistakes can be costly. That is why hiring a professional with the required knowledge and expertise to do the job correctly is recommended.
Bathroom floor materials you should avoid
While there are several materials that are not well-suited to bathrooms, there are two types of flooring that you should actively avoid.
Carpet
This one is may seem like a no-brainer, but carpet is a terrible option for bathroom flooring. We could go on and on about why carpet is a bad idea for a bathroom, but the number one reason is that water and carpet never mix well. Not only can wet carpet create bad odors and look awful, but it is also perfect for mold and bacteria growth as well.
Hardwood
There is no arguing that hardwood floors are a fantastic flooring option for different spaces within your home, but the bathroom is not one of them. As it is with carpet, the main problem with wood flooring in your bathroom is going to be the moisture. Due to the porous nature of wood, moisture can easily seep into the floor causing it to buckle and swell. These issues can then be particularly difficult and expensive to fix.
How to choose the right tile for a bathroom floor
When selecting a tile for your bathroom floor, there are three main things you will need to consider to ensure you make the right choice:
Determine your budget
Not only do tiles come in many different shapes, colors and sizes, but they also come in a range of different prices. So, the first thing you’ll need to do is determine exactly what your budget is. Once you have landed on an amount you are willing to spend you can begin to look at the tiles that are within your price range.
Choose a design and color scheme
Before choosing your floor tile, you will need to decide on the overall style of the bathroom. Whether you are looking to create a contemporary or more traditional bathroom, you’ll want to pick a floor tile to match. This also applies to the color scheme, as you will likely want to keep the color of the floor tile consistent with the rest of the decor.
Find tiles that are built to last
Picking the right bathroom floor tile means not just picking the tile that looks the best, it also means picking a tile that is going to perform well in the long run. Qualities such as durability, moisture resistance, and low-maintenance are all key when you’re looking for the best bathroom floor tile.
If you’re ready to revamp your bathroom floors, get in touch with a contractor near you and receive a quote today.