Not so fast. The reality is that nearly all hardwood flooring manufacturers still advise caution when it comes to using their flooring in bathrooms and other wet areas. It’s true that good oil-based polyurethane sealers and careful attention to sealing cracks between flooring boards can make hardwood flooring perform adequately in a bathroom, but virtually no flooring manufacturer will ever describe a hardwood flooring product as waterproof. The best you can get is a tentative description of the product as being water-resistant, and then only if you carefully follow use-and-care instructions. For example, a flooring manufacturer may honor a warranty for a moisture-resistant hardwood floor only if standing puddles are thoroughly mopped up and dried within minutes. Read manufacturer’s literature carefully if you are considering natural wood flooring for a bathroom. Some things to consider when it comes to using hardwood flooring in a bathroom:
Hardwood will take much more care and maintenance in a bathroom than elsewhere in your home—at the very least, a yearly application of a finish designed for wet environments.Manufacturers often challenge warranty claims on wood flooring in a bathroom—and some flooring products may expressly say they are not suitable for bathrooms.Any and all splashed and spilled water must be mopped up and dried immediately—even if you think you have waterproofed the floor with sealer.
All that being said, modern polyurethane sealers, combined with more robust exhaust vent fans that can dry a bathroom much quicker, mean that wood flooring can be often used in today’s bathrooms. They are still perhaps a poor choice for family bathrooms with bathtubs used by children, but for powder rooms that feature only a sink, for guest bathrooms that aren’t used often, and for a primary bathroom where you are willing to put in the effort to maintain the floor, a good hardwood floor can be a wonderful design element. For many people, the style benefits are worth the risks. Wood is warm, stylish, and beautiful. If you’re not a big fan of the cold, clinical look that’s common for bathrooms, then wood will certainly suit your tastes. Hardwood floors come in different colors and styles, making it a perfect choice for a variety of decor projects.
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But Consider Alternatives
If you are still uneasy about using wood in a bathroom (and there is ample reason to be cautious), you may want to consider porcelain tile or luxury vinyl planking, both of which can look remarkably like natural wood. And these are no second-best alternatives—quality porcelain and luxury vinyl are high-end flooring materials you can be proud to display. And they are virtually immune to damage from moisture and standing water. Virtually all the designer bathrooms you will see in the following examples could be accomplished with porcelain tile or luxury vinyl—and the difference would be very hard to spot. The wood floor is the secret to making this space work. By adding something natural and organic, the bathrooms look accessible and welcoming, rather than shocking and alienating. The high-gloss finish on flooring this dark provides a look similar to that of natural stone. This look both reinforces the Gothic style while offering a contrast with the matte, fabric-look wallpaper. Such usage requires a wood that can accept frequent soaking, such as oil-treated teak or redwood. A custom herringbone plank floor like this will require a lot of attention to keep it water-resistant. Prefinished wood flooring planks can be especially tricky to use in a bathroom. Note the beveled edges, which can collect standing water unless spills are immediately soaked up.
