Top flooring options for hotel bathrooms
As a commercial interior designer or architect fitting out a hotel, there is a responsibility to invest in the right materials. When choosing
flooring for bathrooms, moisture resistance is an obvious consideration, but which other factors come into play?
This article discusses the priority factors when selecting materials for hotel bathroom floors, specifies the best flooring types for the task and picks out a few design and installation trends to keep in mind.
Key considerations
What should you be looking for when choosing hotel bathroom flooring? We’ll start with the obvious:
Waterproof performance
There’s no argument – water resistance is one of the most important factors when selecting hotel bathroom flooring. Materials need to stand up to moisture around showers, baths and sinks – not to mention condensation.
Flooring must block water penetration and guarantee that moisture doesn’t reach the subfloor. Porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles and luxury vinyl products are among the most effective options due to their strong water resistance.
Safety (slip resistance)
Hand in hand with water resistance goes slip resistance. Wet surfaces can easily become slippery and put guests at risk of falling.
Several commercial tiles and vinyl flooring options are manufactured with textured surfaces or coatings that improve traction. Flooring products with certified slip-resistance ratings help hotels to comply with safety standards and reduce the risk of accidents.
Durability
Flooring is an investment in hotel infrastructure, and so considering frequent guest use and cleaning, materials must therefore be durable enough to withstand wear without cracking, chipping or fading.
Durable flooring not only improves the longevity of the bathroom but also reduces the need for repairs or replacements. It’s a cost saver that will reduce the long-term outlay on maintenance.
Maintenance and hygiene
Flooring should be easy to clean, unaffected by cleaning products and resistant to bacteria and mould.
Non-porous surfaces are beneficial in this regard, as they block out moisture and contaminants. One design choice to minimise dirt and moisture from collecting is to reduce the number of grout lines. This also makes cleaning easier.
Aesthetics and comfort
Flooring should align with the hotel’s interior style. Materials that replicate natural textures, such as stone or wood, are particularly popular in hospitality design.
Custom tile solutions allow hotels to create bespoke patterns and colour schemes. They also open the door to subtle branding elements which reinforce a property’s identity – whether they are part of a chain or a boutique hotel.
Top flooring options
Now we’ll move on to the materials themselves. Here are some logical choices for hotel bathroom flooring:
Porcelain tiles
Widely used in hotel bathrooms, they offer an ideal combination of durability, high water resistance and longevity. They are dense, non-porous and available in a broad range of finishes, able to replicate natural materials such as marble and stone.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are slightly less dense than porcelain, but still water resistant and durable, while also being a budget-friendly option.
Ceramic tiles come in many colours, shapes and patterns. Digital ceramic tile manufacturing allows designers to create distinctive layouts or decorative features.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is very water-resistant and comfortable underfoot. It is able to mimic stone and wood effects, and is a softer and quieter surface that can add comfort to the guest experience.
Engineered wood
Engineered wood is sometimes used in high-end hotel bathrooms where a warmer, more residential aesthetic is desired. Unlike solid wood, engineered wood features a layered structure that provides greater stability and can be installed with waterproofing measures. A luxurious and distinctive choice.
Design and installation trends
We will conclude with a quick look at design and installation trends which have emerged in hotel bathroom floors.
Large-format tiles
Large-format tiles reduce the number of grout lines. This creates a sleek and seamless appearance that not only improves aesthetics, but also simplifies cleaning and maintenance.
Safety ratings
Materials with certified slip-resistance ratings are considered non-negotiable by many hotel designers. Adequate traction and the reduction of slips involving guests is a big priority and needn’t necessarily compromise aesthetics.
Integrated solutions
Integrated flooring systems combine waterproof membranes and drainage components with compatible flooring materials. The result is a coordinated solution that speeds up installation and increases longevity in moisture-heavy environments.