What to know when using hardwood flooring in a bathroom
Is your heart established on hardwood flooring for a modern lavatory task? It truly is a trendy option. Even so to assure those boards stay seeking stunning, there are selected caveats to be knowledgeable of. In buy, to make the best assortment for your plan, we’ve asked the specialists what you will need to know when employing hardwood flooring in a bathroom.
‘Modern bogs can experience clinical because of all the tough surfaces, so it’s fantastic to introduce visual softness and warmth where by doable, and wooden is a terrific way to do that,’ claims Sheena Murphy, co-founder of Nune, an interior design studio centered in New York and London.
‘I really like the visible interest and character timber flooring can insert to a room, the heat tones, organic magnificence and it feels excellent underfoot. An vital thing with hardwood flooring is to guarantee the complete is resilient adequate to endure the amount of traffic and activity it is really probably to be exposed to.
‘I would not ordinarily recommend using hardwood flooring in a children’s lavatory but it can get the job done beautifully in a primary toilet, visitor lavatory or powder area. There is a level of care necessary, but as extensive as you are aware of that, it can be as very long (or more time) long lasting as lots of alternate options.’
What to know when using hardwood flooring in a bathroom
1. You will require the ideal timber species
(Image credit: Venture: Nune / Pictures: Nicole Franzen)
As usually, selecting FSC timber is critical, and frequently domestic species make a great option thanks to the wide variety of tones, magnificence and traceability. But which are best for bathroom flooring?
‘Stable species such as cherry, maple, ash, pink oak, or walnut would be improved selections than some of the less steady species these types of as beech, hickory, or birch.’ says Brett Miller, VP, Specialized Requirements at the Countrywide Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) (opens in new tab).
‘With any of those people timbers, going with a riftsawn and/or quartersawn slice would be suitable for what we refer to as much less stable environments, this sort of as loos. Usually talking riftsawn and quartersawn cuts of wooden are 2 times as stable as plainsawn cuts of wood.’
‘We use a great deal of oak in our jobs,’ says Sheena Murphy at Nune (opens in new tab). ‘It’s pure coloration has just the ideal depth to offer a very complementary backdrop to so many areas.
‘It’s also incredibly tricky wearing and can be stained. We use oak from sustainable sources but have also utilised woods which includes douglas fir and ash, which are also incredibly hardwearing and fast regenerating, creating them a more sustainable preference.’
2. Conditions are significant
(Graphic credit rating: Potential / Paul Raeside)
Aesthetics enjoy a large element in putting a area plan alongside one another, but in a toilet, the practicalities are large on the agenda also.
‘Both good and engineered wooden flooring are good solutions for bogs,’ claims Brett at NWFA. ‘Both sorts of flooring will perform finest when the temperature and humidity levels are maintained regularly calendar year-spherical.
‘Engineered wooden flooring is more tolerant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, than solid wood flooring, which is why we suggest only engineered wood flooring be put in if your toilet is “under-grade” ie. ground level or in a basement.’
‘We generally recommend engineered planks in a lavatory,’ claims Sheena Murphy at Nune. ‘Some men and women hear the word “engineered” and think it can be not real wooden it is, it just has levels of plywood below a top rated layer of oak or ash for case in point, which tends to make it far more secure with aspects like less than flooring heating and humidity.
‘Solid wooden is additional prone to motion in environments the place temperature and moisture fluctuations are at perform, these as bogs.
‘If you might be operating with engineered boards, receiving a leading layer of wood that is 1/8 inch or more will permit the flooring to be sanded at the very least three moments. That usually means that, should it look worn about the a long time, you have the option to sand and refinish it, and have it sense brand name new.’
3. You can expect to require a appropriate sealant
(Image credit history: Havwoods)
Timber flooring is normally sealed with oils, wax or varnish-like finishes. In accordance to Brett at NWFA these finishes are normally divided into two groups movie-finishes, and penetrating finishes.
‘In a bathroom, the place standing water is a frequent prevalence, it is greatest to use a movie-finish, these as a waterborne urethane, oil-modified urethane, UV-treated urethane, or aluminum oxide finish,’ suggests Brett. ‘Natural oils, waxes, and other penetrating finishes, can function well, but can often exhibit water-recognizing in damp environments.
‘When maintained thoroughly, any of these finishes can very last the life of the flooring. It is standard for wood floors to be recoated periodically. Recoating each and every 3-10 years, relying on visitors is adequate. With natural penetrating oils, a easy deep clear and reconditioning each calendar year is all that is normally expected.’
‘As wooden is the natural way absorbent, any speak to with liquid can consequence in the product plumping or staining, so select a area end that will maximise longevity,’ suggests Edward Eagle, Director at Havwoods (opens in new tab). ‘A polyurethanine-lacquered coating works to deal with any pores in the wood’s surface, preserving it from grime and humidity ingress.’
Often ensure you have witnessed the sealant or end on timber samples, just before purchasing your boards, as the tone is probably to be diverse to that of the raw timber.
4. Warping and drinking water destruction is preventable
(Picture credit: Havwoods)
Some people are cautious about laying hardwood flooring in a rest room, owing to considerations about h2o damage and toughness. Nonetheless, this can be averted.
‘Due to their multi-layered building, engineered boards are considerably much less likely to warp in large-dampness rooms, that means regardless of the temperature, the floor is significantly less most likely to shrink or swell,’ states Edward Eagle at Havwoods. ‘However, we suggest only working with timber in perfectly ventilated rooms and to steer clear of standing h2o to ensure the longevity of your ground.’
‘The very best way to quit water problems is to prevent permitting h2o to sit on the ground for any period of time,’ says Brett at NWFA. ‘Warping, cupping, bucking, are all the final result of too much humidity left on a wooden floor. This is conveniently prevented by wiping up spills instantly to avoid harm.’
To manage a ‘consistent environment’, ensure you have enough ventilation in your rest room, this kind of as a motorised lover, and open up home windows right after showering or bathing.
5. A specialist installer is important
Laying a hardwood ground may possibly search basic but there are factors, that you could not be aware of, to look at.
‘The flattening of a subfloor is a regular course of action for all installers,’ states Brett at NWFA. ‘During the installation procedure, a certified wood flooring experienced ought to flatten the subfloor to in just 3/16” in 10 ft (in basic). Grinding superior places, and filling lower places to realize these flatness tolerances are not only greatest observe, but also essential by all flooring brands.’
Ultimately, if you are thinking of below-flooring heating, test with the supplier, which floorboards will be most appropriate.