Bathrooms & Hardwood Floors
Believe it or not, hardwood floors are a viable option for many bathrooms. You’ve heard the old mantra that “water and wood don’t mix”. Many people shy away from having wood flooring in their bathrooms because of fears about water damage and/or mold growth. Yet, today’s polyurethane finishes make wood products particularly moisture resistant.
Plasticizers, synthetic resins, and film-forming transparent sealers create very effective protective barriers. These modern surfacing products expand and contract along with the underlying wood. So, the watertight seals they create remain intact. Modern hardwood floors can withstand most humid environments with the exception of the most saturated conditions. This means that the occasional splash of water and the average humidity found in most bathrooms don’t necessarily pose an insurmountable problem.
It’s a good idea to make sure that you actually install a hardwood. Softer woods such as pine are much more susceptible to water absorption and should be avoided. Some of the best hardwood floors for a bathroom are made from maple, oak, walnut, cherry, ash or hickory. These tend to not absorb much moisture in the air even without sealers. Once you install hardwood floors in your bathroom, add one or more decorative bathmats to prevent significant amounts of water pooling on the floor. If water does come in contact with the wood, simply wipe it off with a dry towel.
Related posts:
- How To Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors
- Moisture Resistant Wall Finishes for Bathrooms
- Diagnosing Leaks In Bathrooms: Part 1
- Nonskid Flooring for Bathrooms
- Non-Slip Kitchen Floors Reduce Risk Of Accidents
Tags: Bathrooms
