9 of the Most Common Bathroom Materials

Your bathroom’s decor is likely to reflect your personality! But beyond personal taste, you must consider practical and functional aspects for this space. After all, you use your bathroom daily and design possibilities are endless. Consider these common bathroom materials when planning out its finished look.

Water and vapor resistant materials

Keep in mind that your chosen bathroom materials should withstand moisture, and heat. The bathroom is used multiple times a day (i.e. using the toilet, showering, brushing your teeth, etc.), so be sure to consider of ease of maintenance when picking out your materials. Determining your needs is of utmost importance when planning out your new bathroom. When starting with your needs, you’ll be sure to have all the necessities for your private oasis.

If you’re looking for some inspiration before moving forward with your bathroom reno planning, take a look at what’s trending in bathroom design.

Ceramic tiling

Ceramic tiling is most popular when it comes to bathroom flooring. It is, however, quite popular for wall surfacing as well.

Here are some kinds of ceramics you can find on the market:

Terracotta or clay:

Homemade terracotta or clay tiles give a more authentic and unique look to the room. Though, if you want their appearance to remain as good as new, these tiles require more and more maintenance over time.

Stoneware:

Stoneware is a mixture of clay and composite material (which sometimes includes quartz or silica) that is highly resistant to water and shocks. It’s important to get it in a finishing that isn’t too smooth if you’re to use it as flooring or in the shower. Otherwise, you’re likely to slip and fall quite often.

Earthenware:

These enamel covered tiles are ideal for shower walls, but not so great for flooring as they’re fragile (and slippery) compared to other materials. Installing a mix of large tiles and smaller mosaic ones on the floor and walls creates a unique look with beautiful contrast.

NOTE:  We suggest getting a tiler that will tile with thin grout joints. This will avoid dust and dirt from accumulating between tiles and keep your bathroom looking and feeling clean.

Stone

If you opt for stone as one your bathroom materials, a sealant must be applied to it. The sealant will act as a barrier to moisture and avoid the material from staining. Although stone can easily stain without a sealant, it’s a durable material. Marble, slate, granite, etc. are all stone variants you can opt for for your bathroom. Pebbles are also used as accent pieces in bathroom decor.

Cement and concrete

Cement or concrete are ideal materials if you’re looking for an industrial look. Most people tend to opt for either of these materials for their walls or counter tops. Not only are concrete and cement durable, they also require very little maintenance. However, concrete is porous and requires a sealant for moisture and dirt resistance – which might be why some might shy away from using it as a bathroom material.

Vinyl

Available in different patterns and colors, vinyl can mimic wood or even ceramic tiles, all while being easy to maintain. In the short term, it’s also economical. However, it doesn’t last as long as other materials and is not ideal for your shower’s flooring.

Wood

That’s right, you can use certain types of wood in your bathroom – like teak. Though, in order for wood to stand the test of time, it requires maintenance (including sanding and applying oil). Bamboo, which mimics wood, is an elegant alternative that requires much less maintenance. However, it does not withstand highly humid conditions all that well.

Cork

Although highly eco-friendly, cork flooring must be well sealed to withstand water. Its advantage? Cork is soft and flexible, making it comfortable to walk on bare foot.

Melamine

Affordability and ease of maintenance are the main reasons melamine is chosen as a material in the bathroom. It’s ideal for cabinets and counter tops. Plus, you can purchase wood imitating melamine – allowing you to have the wood look with much less hassle.

Chipboard

Versatile and easy to maintain, chipboard is also resistant to moisture, but a little more expensive than melamine.

Laminate

Laminate is one of the most common counter top materials because of its ease of maintenance and affordability. It can imitate different noble materials, such as wood or stone. However, it must be properly waterproofed and is sensitive to heat. Once it begins to spoil, it’s quite difficult to repair.

Infinite bathroom material possibilities

Of course, this is only a portion of what’s actually out there. For each material presented, there are even various qualities that exist. It’s important to shop around for materials and make comparisons to find the right one. You can also hire a bathroom renovations specialist to help you out. Besides the material itself, the quality craftsmanship when installing it can make all the difference. That’s why it’s important to hire the right bathroom contractor when comes time to renovate your private space.

One of our Renovation Advisors can guide you through all options available to you – whether it be for a small budget bathroom renovation or a full-fledged luxury bathroom remodel. They can also put you in touch with the best Verified Contractor for the job, and even an architect or interior designer if need be. Call us or fill out our form to speak with one of our advisors today.