Hardwood is a popular flooring material for many reasons. Not only does it look great, it feels warm and solid underfoot and it can last for several decades. But one of the main drawbacks of hardwood is its sensitivity to moisture and humidity. Can hardwood flooring be used in bathrooms? Because they are so intrinsically associated with water, it can be difficult to maintain hardwood floors in a bathroom. But it’s not impossible. To give you some tips on how to maintain hardwood flooring in a bathroom we’ve put together this article.
Protective Coating
Hardwood can be susceptible to spills, splashes and puddling of water. You can top hardwood with a protective coating but it’s also important to keep this finish layer strong and damage free. You’ll likely have to reapply this coating every few months while paying particular attention to seams between planks. If you notice water starting to seep into the cracks or absorb into the wood, it’s time to apply another coat of protective finish.
Preventative Maintenance
Even with a protective coating in place, this still doesn’t absolve you of immediately taking care of any splashes or spills. Wiping up excess water and running a fan while bathing or showering will be a necessary and ongoing task if you install hardwood flooring in your bathroom. If you’re not willing to wipe up spills on a regular basis, you might want to look into another flooring material for your bathroom.
Bath Mats
Although they won’t help much in the case of a flood, bath mats can definitely help in keeping your floorboards dry. Placed around your bathtub, shower and sink, bath mats will not only act as protection, they become part of the overall aesthetic of the room. Use them for both fashion and function.
Shower And Tub Surrounds
Surrounds are vertical barriers around the perimeter of showers and tubs to prevent water from reaching the hardwood flooring. They can be done quite smartly, but are in actuality, practical in purpose. Surrounds can be made of a variety of materials including ceramics, stone, acrylic, polyester and more.
