flooring under vanity

muzz · Dec 26, 2007

My bathroom project is coming along well, and soon will be getting to the point of deciding what kind of flooring to put in. Wife doesn't want ceramic tile in the whole bath; I plan on tiling the toilet area though. We have thought about the 12" vinyl tile, but worried about all the seams. Is hardwood laminate something that is acceptable in the bath? There are no kids at home anymore, just the two of us, so splashing will be kept to a minimum.

Another question--what is the accepted method of flooring for under the vanity? Put finish floor underneath, or just set cabinet on the subfloor?

Verdeboy · Dec 26, 2007

I don't think it's practical to put a wood laminate floor in the bathroom. Even without kids, a toilet can overflow or a shower curtain can let water past, both of which can ruin your floor.

As far as tiling under cabinets. If they have been moved, then go ahead and tile under them. If they have not been moved, tile up to them.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Statjunk · Dec 27, 2007

I agree 100% with the above.

Tom

Bob NH · Dec 27, 2007

I would go with seamless flooring. It is not really that difficult to install. If you don't want to do it yourself you can shop around for someone who will do it in an hour for about $150 in a modest size bathroom.

Nate R · Dec 27, 2007

I agree with Bob. The individual vinyl tiles NEVER work well in the long run. Time and time again I see them with dirt lines around every seam after some use.

Just get sheet vinyl. Really not difficult to install at all. Also, M*nards sells small (Like 6X9) pieces for applications like this. But not much selection in those chunks.

Verdeboy · Dec 27, 2007

Nate R said:
I agree with Bob. The individual vinyl tiles NEVER work well in the long run. Time and time again I see them with dirt lines around every seam after some use.

Just get sheet vinyl. Really not difficult to install at all. Also, M*nards sells small (Like 6X9) pieces for applications like this. But not much selection in those chunks.

There's pros and cons to everything. You get a cut or stain in a tile. You just replace the one tile. You get a cut or stain in the lino or sheet vinyl, you replace the whole thing. A lot of the sheet goods stain extremely easily when they come in contact with water. Some turn black Some turn multi-colored. Once that happens, you need to do a complete tear-out.

Jeff1 · Dec 28, 2007

You'd be surprised how good the vinyl tiles can look with some caulk in the seams.

hj · Dec 28, 2007

sheet

A lot of the sheet goods stain extremely easily when they come in contact with water. Some turn black Some turn multi-colored.

If that were true, they would have EXTREMELY limited applications anywhere in a house.

Verdeboy · Dec 28, 2007

Sheet-vinyl discoloration is very common. However, the quality of the product is of major importance. My experience in the apartment industry is that they tend to buy the cheapest crap, which has jaded my opinion of the stuff.

muzz · Dec 28, 2007

Spoke with one of the local lumberyards about laminate flooring in the bathroom, and was told that in order to use it in the bathroom, it would have to be glued on the top side of the tongue on each piece to keep water from penetrating the flooring. I also talked to a friend who installed laminate in his bath, who had done it exactly that way with no problems. He said it was a pain applying the glue and cleaning up the excess with solvent, but that it turned out great; that was 2 years ago. Still trying to make the decision, thanks for all the comments so far.

Mort · Dec 28, 2007

Going on five years with wood laminate flooring in the downstairs bathroom. No problems (yet anyway). I was advised against it for the above stated reasons but took the chance anyway. Same flooring is in the kitchen adjoining the bath (and family room) and I figure the worst that can happen (with a water leak or such) is that I'll just have to replace it.

Mort

Jadnashua · Dec 28, 2007

When the laminates were originally released, they were not approved for damp locations. Some of them now allow it. You need to read their installation and application notes carefully to determine applicability.

Mikey · Dec 29, 2007

Retrain the wife or trade her in. Ceramic tile is the only way to go for a practical bath floor. Toss in a couple of attactive washable area rugs and it looks pretty good and is comfy on the feet. Rugs can also be easily changed out to allow catering to whims of someone prone to redecorating.

muzz · Dec 30, 2007

Its been 28 years of retraining, I don't think I am going to get any further than I am now; doing a trade is out of the question, she is the devil I know.

Mikey · Dec 30, 2007

muzz said:
Its been 28 years of retraining, I don't think I am going to get any further than I am now; doing a trade is out of the question, she is the devil I know.

I hear you.

Verdeboy · Dec 31, 2007

You're In Trouble Now

I hope you both have heated garages--just in case your wives happen to view this thread.

Chel_in_IL · Jan 2, 2008

When I remodeled my bathroom, I went with ceramic. It's a small bath (9x5), and it cost me about $350 material/labor to have a tile floor put in. (I put in the underlayment, and I paid a guy to lay the tile.) For $125 for labor I figured it was worth having someone who knew what they were doing lay the tile.

I also put in an electric floor warming system that I got off of e*ay. It's not the mat-type - you manually lay the lines, but it was very easy to do. It cost $80 shipped for enough wire to do the floor, and included a line-voltage thermostat (electronic programmable is $125 more). Well worth the investment - warm tootsies are awesome!!

Oh, and we tiled under the vanity too.

Mikey · Jan 2, 2008

chel_in_IL said:
warm tootsies are awesome!!

Cool! ... er... Warm! I'm putting a mat-type heater in the shower, but I have to unwind the mat to run the heater wires around the drain, etc. Big problem now is how best to insulate under the heater wires.

I tiled under the vanity also. Didn't tile under the cabinets in the kitchen (moving them was a big deal) and I regret not doing it now.

flooring under vanity

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