Hardwood floors are trickier to manage in your bathroom, but if you would like hardwood floors throughout your home you can have them! Your design ideas do not have to be limited by the moisture that naturally occurs in bathrooms, there are ways to have hardwoods and keep them in tip-top shape! Here are some tips to keep your bathroom floors in order!
Before you Install
If you have not yet put hardwood flooring into the bathroom, consider these steps to reduce the worry from excess moisture!
1.If you are replacing your subfloor, use a wax impregnated OSB board to help seal moisture out!
2.Invest in pre-finished floors that are sealed on all four sides. If you have chosen a style that is not back sealed, ask if this can be done on site.
3.Use a 2-in-1 moisture barrier adhesive when installing your floor for added protection against moisture buildup.
One tricky area to consider is the area around the toilet. Hardwood flooring is generally thicker than tile, so if you are using the existing toilet flange, it will have to be raised up to be level with the new and thicker floor. There are kits available from plumbing supply companies that can help you do this or you can seek the advice of a professional. If you are building a home or doing a complete renovation, you may be running a new toilet drain. In this case, you will need a plumber to drill a hole between the installed hardwood floor and subfloor, followed by a specialty low-profile flange screwed in with the toilet piping running underneath.
Living with Hardwood in the Bathroom
Easy fixes can help your hardwood flooring in the bathroom stay beautiful and moisture-free!
1.Use your exhaust and your ceiling fans. Moisture in the air is a huge threat to hardwood floors so keep the fans on to whisk away the moisture before it settles on your floor.
2.Use bath mats and rugs! These are more than just decorative, they are meant to catch water and absorb dampness as you step out of the bath or shower. Consider heavier, more durable bath mats if you have small children splashing in the bathtub.
3.Wipe up any puddles or spills as soon as they happen to prevent water from penetrating into the subfloor. You should do this regardless of your flooring since puddles of water can cause people to slip and fall!
4. Install towel bars or hooks so that wet towels are not left on the bathroom floor. Towels that are excessively damp should be taken to the laundry instead of left in the bathroom.
-
3 mins
