Bathroom floors deal with splashes, steam, and daily foot traffic, so the material you pick matters more here than almost anywhere else in the house. In our experience, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is the best type of bathroom flooring for most homes because it handles water, cleans easily, and feels warm underfoot.
Tile is another good option with a few trade-offs worth knowing. Below, we explain how LVT compares, what to look for in its construction, and why subfloor prep affects your budget.
Why Luxury Vinyl Tile is the Best Type of Bathroom Flooring
A bathroom floor has a specific job. It needs to stand up to water, stay easy to maintain, and feel comfortable when you step out of the shower. Luxury vinyl tile checks all three boxes, which is why it’s our top recommendation for most bathrooms.
Water Resistance and Easy Cleaning
Water on the floor is a daily reality in any bathroom. LVT holds up to that moisture, so spills and splashes don’t become a long-term problem.
Cleaning is just as simple. A quick wipe or mop keeps LVT looking fresh, with no scrubbing required to get the job done.
Warm to the Touch and Great Looking
Comfort counts in a room where you often walk barefoot. LVT feels warm underfoot, which makes early mornings and late-night trips a lot more pleasant.
It also looks great. You get a finished floor that suits the style of your bathroom without giving up any of the practical benefits.
Pro Tip: When you compare bathroom floor options, rank them by water performance, cleaning effort, and comfort underfoot. Those three factors shape how happy you’ll be with the floor years from now.
Luxury Vinyl Tile vs Tile for Bathrooms
Tile has long been a go-to choice for bathrooms, and it’s still a good one. Once you compare it with LVT side by side, though, a few drawbacks stand out.
Where Tile Falls Short
Tile is cool to the touch. That chill is noticeable on bare feet, especially in the morning.
Tile is also a lot more difficult to clean than LVT. Keeping it looking its best takes more time and effort on a regular basis.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) | Tile |
| Feel underfoot | Warm to the touch | Cool to the touch |
| Cleaning | Easy to clean | More difficult to clean |
| Cost | Less expensive due to lower labor costs | Higher labor costs |
Based on these points, LVT is the better product in our opinion for most bathroom projects.
Not All Vinyl Tile is Equal
The label “luxury vinyl tile” covers a wide range of products. Before you buy, it’s important to understand what the vinyl tile is made of and how it’s structured.
What Our Vinyl Tile is Made of
Our LVT is made with crushed limestone. That core makes each plank strong and rigid.
It also makes the floor waterproof. For a bathroom, that’s a big step up from a product that only claims to be water resistant.
How to Choose the Best Bathroom Flooring Type
Ask your installer two questions about any vinyl product:
- What is the core made of? The material inside the plank determines its strength and rigidity.
- Is it waterproof or only water resistant? In a bathroom, waterproof is the standard to aim for.
Key Takeaway: Two vinyl floors can look the same on the showroom floor and perform very differently at home. A rigid, waterproof core like crushed limestone is what makes LVT a strong fit for bathrooms.
What Affects the Cost of Bathroom Flooring
Material is only one part of your flooring budget. Labor plays a major role, and it’s often the part homeowners overlook.
Why LVT Costs Less Than Tile
LVT is less expensive than tile, mainly because the labor cost is lower. You get a floor that performs better in a bathroom and costs less to install.
The Hidden Labor of Subfloor Preparation
People usually underestimate the labor required to prepare the subfloor. Before any new floor goes down, the surface underneath needs attention. That work can include:
- Removing fasteners left behind from the old flooring
- Patching damaged or uneven spots
- Leveling the subfloor so the new floor sits flat
Each of these steps adds time and labor to the project. Planning for them up front helps you avoid surprises on your final quote.
Pro Tip: When you request flooring quotes, ask whether subfloor prep is included. It’s one of the biggest reasons two estimates for the same bathroom can look so different.
Need expert help with bathroom flooring? Contact The Shower Company to schedule a consultation.
Ready to Upgrade Your Bathroom Floor?
The Short Answer
For most bathrooms, luxury vinyl tile is our top pick. It resists water, cleans easily, feels warm underfoot, and looks great. When it’s built with a crushed limestone core like ours, it’s also strong, rigid, and waterproof.
LVT also costs less than tile thanks to lower labor costs. Just remember that subfloor prep adds time and labor to any flooring project, so build it into your plan.
Schedule Your Flooring Quote
Our team can walk you through your options, check your subfloor, and give you a clear picture of the work involved. Contact The Shower Company today to schedule a quote and get the best type of bathroom flooring installed the right way.
