What Is the Best Flooring for a Bathroom, Even in the Basement?

Most people end up choosing between three floors: porcelain tile, vinyl plank and sheet vinyl. This guide uses one real FloorBox product for each and explains what the lines on the product page mean for a bathroom.

What should a bathroom floor handle?

Ask four questions before you pick a look.

• Water. Will it be fine with splashes, drips and the odd overflow?
• Grip. Will it be slippery when wet?
• Basement. Can it go on a concrete slab below ground level?
• Comfort. Will it feel cold, and can it go over a heated floor?

For the difference between "waterproof" and "water resistant" on a product page, read Waterproof or Water-Resistant Flooring?.

How do I choose a porcelain tile for a bathroom floor?

Example: MSI Arterra Pavers, Argento Travertino, matte, 24" x 24". The page says this tile suits busy kitchens and baths.

• Material: porcelain. Water absorption under 0.5%. This is how much water the tile can soak up. Under 0.5% means almost none.
• Finish: matte. A matte surface has a low sheen.
• Coefficient of friction above 0.42. This is a grip score. A higher number means your feet slip less.
• PEI rating 4. This rates how well the glazed surface stands up to foot traffic. 4 is high for a home.
• Thickness 20 mm. That's thick. Check how it will meet the hallway floor at the door.
• Use with grout and mortar. Tile is set in mortar, and the joints are filled with grout.

Tile floors need a solid, flat base. If you're also building a shower, see Is Cement Board Waterproof? and our guide to the curbless shower. More choices are in the floor tiles category.

Can I use vinyl plank in a bathroom?

Example: Planchers 1867 Evolution Magma XL, Helka, click lock, 7" x 48"

• Waterproof: Yes. The page says 100% waterproof for residential and light commercial use.
• Core: SPC (stone plastic composite). A rigid core, so the plank stays stiff and flat.
• Grade level: on, above and below. It can go in a basement, below ground level.
• Click lock, with an attached EVA foam underpad. The planks lock together edge to edge, and the foam underlayment is already on the back.
• Wear layer 0.3 mm (12 mil). The clear top layer that takes the wear.
• Radiant heat compatible: Yes. It can go over a heated floor.
• 25 year residential warranty.

See more in the vinyl planks category.

Is sheet vinyl a good choice for a bathroom?

Example: Tarkett TritonTuff, Cloud, 12'

• Waterproof: Yes. The page calls it a good choice for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, and lists basement among the places to use it.
• 12 feet wide. A small bathroom can often be covered in one piece, with no seam.
• Glue down or loose lay.
• Wear layer 0.25 mm (10 mil), thickness 1.55 mm.
• 15 year residential warranty.

Want the details on rolls? Read How Do I Choose Sheet Vinyl Flooring? or browse the sheet vinyl category.

What is the best floor for a basement bathroom?

Start with the slab. In a basement, the floor sits on concrete below ground level, so pick a product that says so on its page. In this guide, the Helka vinyl plank lists below grade, and TritonTuff lists basement. For tile, the base matters as much as the tile, so plan the setting materials with the rest of the job.

If cold feet are your worry, a heated floor can help. Read Bathroom Floor Heating Systems: Installation Tips, and choose a floor that is listed as radiant heat compatible, like Helka.

Planning the whole basement? See What Are the Best Flooring Options for Your Basement?.

What that means for you

• Want the most classic, long-lasting look and don't mind a bigger job? Porcelain tile.
• Want a waterproof floor that clicks together, even in a basement? Vinyl plank.
• Want one piece with no seams in a small bathroom? Sheet vinyl.

Not sure which one fits your bathroom? Contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Is porcelain tile slippery in a bathroom?

It depends on the tile. Look for a matte finish and a grip score on the page, like the coefficient of friction above 0.42 listed for Arterra.

Can I put vinyl plank in a basement bathroom?

Yes, if the page lists below grade. Helka lists on, above and below grade, and it's waterproof.

Is sheet vinyl waterproof?

TritonTuff is listed as waterproof. Other rolls may be listed as moisture resistant instead, so check each page.

Can I put a heated floor under bathroom vinyl?

For Helka, yes: the page says radiant heat compatible. For any other floor, check that line on the page first.