What to know when using hardwood flooring in a bathroom
Is your heart set on hardwood flooring for a modern-day toilet project? It’s a fashionable alternative. Having said that to ensure those boards keep on the lookout lovely, there are certain caveats to be conscious of. In purchase, to make the best selection for your plan, we’ve requested the industry experts what you need to have to know when working with hardwood flooring in a toilet.
‘Modern bathrooms can experience clinical for the reason that of all the tricky surfaces, so it is fantastic to introduce visible softness and warmth where by feasible, and wooden is a good way to do that,’ states Sheena Murphy, co-founder of Nune, an interior structure studio based in New York and London.
‘I really like the visible curiosity and character timber flooring can include to a area, the warm tones, normal splendor and it feels very good underfoot. An vital factor with hardwood flooring is to ensure the end is sturdy sufficient to endure the degree of site visitors and activity it’s likely to be exposed to.
‘I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend working with hardwood flooring in a children’s toilet but it can work beautifully in a key lavatory, guest rest room or powder place. There is a amount of care necessary, but as long as you are conscious of that, it can be as long (or for a longer time) lasting as a lot of solutions.’
What to know when utilizing hardwood flooring in a toilet
1. You are going to have to have the most effective timber species
(Picture credit: Task: Nune / Images: Nicole Franzen)
As constantly, picking out FSC timber is crucial, and often domestic species make a very good option due to the range of tones, magnificence and traceability. But which are very best for lavatory flooring?
‘Stable species these as cherry, maple, ash, crimson oak, or walnut would be far better selections than some of the less stable species such as beech, hickory, or birch.’ claims Brett Miller, VP, Technical Expectations at the Countrywide Wood Flooring Affiliation (NWFA) (opens in new tab).
‘With any of these timbers, heading with a riftsawn and/or quartersawn minimize would be excellent for what we refer to as significantly less steady environments, this kind of as bathrooms. Generally speaking riftsawn and quartersawn cuts of wood are twice as steady as plainsawn cuts of wooden.’
‘We use a whole lot of oak in our assignments,’ suggests Sheena Murphy at Nune (opens in new tab). ‘It’s organic coloration has just the suitable depth to deliver a very complementary backdrop to so several areas.
‘It’s also pretty tricky carrying and can be stained. We use oak from sustainable resources but have also utilized woods including douglas fir and ash, which are also quite hardwearing and quickly regenerating, building them a extra sustainable choice.’
2. Conditions are essential
(Image credit score: Upcoming / Paul Raeside)
Aesthetics participate in a huge element in putting a space plan collectively, but in a rest room, the practicalities are superior on the agenda much too.
‘Both solid and engineered wooden flooring are excellent alternatives for bogs,’ says Brett at NWFA. ‘Both forms of flooring will execute ideal when the temperature and humidity stages are maintained constantly yr-round.
‘Engineered wooden flooring is much more tolerant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, than solid wooden flooring, which is why we propose only engineered wood flooring be set up if your toilet is “below-quality” ie. ground level or in a basement.’
‘We frequently propose engineered planks in a toilet,’ states Sheena Murphy at Nune. ‘Some men and women listen to the term “engineered” and suppose it’s not authentic wooden it is, it just has layers of plywood less than a major layer of oak or ash for case in point, which can make it a lot more stable with aspects like underneath ground heating and humidity.
‘Solid wood is a lot more susceptible to motion in environments wherever temperature and humidity fluctuations are at play, this kind of as bogs.
‘If you are doing work with engineered boards, obtaining a top layer of wood that is 1/8 inch or extra will allow for the flooring to be sanded at least a few situations. That implies that, should really it glimpse worn above the yrs, you have the solution to sand and refinish it, and have it truly feel brand new.’
3. You may need to have a ideal sealant
(Graphic credit rating: Havwoods)
Timber flooring is commonly sealed with oils, wax or varnish-like finishes. According to Brett at NWFA these finishes are typically separated into two groups film-finishes, and penetrating finishes.
‘In a rest room, in which standing drinking water is a regular occurrence, it is greatest to use a film-complete, these kinds of as a waterborne urethane, oil-modified urethane, UV-treated urethane, or aluminum oxide end,’ says Brett. ‘Natural oils, waxes, and other penetrating finishes, can work properly, but can sometimes show drinking water-spotting in damp environments.
‘When maintained adequately, any of these finishes can very last the life of the flooring. It is ordinary for wooden floors to be recoated periodically. Recoating every single 3-10 many years, relying on site visitors is adequate. With organic penetrating oils, a easy deep clean and reconditioning each yr is all that is generally necessary.’
‘As wood is in a natural way absorbent, any contact with liquid can result in the substance plumping or staining, so pick a floor finish that will maximise longevity,’ suggests Edward Eagle, Director at Havwoods (opens in new tab). ‘A polyurethanine-lacquered coating performs to include any pores in the wood’s surface area, safeguarding it from filth and dampness ingress.’
Generally be certain you have seen the sealant or finish on timber samples, just before purchasing your boards, as the tone is very likely to be distinct to that of the uncooked timber.
4. Warping and water damage is preventable
(Impression credit history: Havwoods)
Some men and women are careful about laying hardwood flooring in a toilet, owing to problems about drinking water problems and durability. On the other hand, this can be averted.
‘Due to their multi-layered construction, engineered boards are much fewer probable to warp in substantial-humidity rooms, this means inspite of the temperature, the floor is significantly less very likely to shrink or swell,’ says Edward Eagle at Havwoods. ‘However, we propose only employing timber in well ventilated rooms and to steer clear of standing water to be certain the longevity of your ground.’
‘The finest way to stop drinking water hurt is to prevent letting drinking water to sit on the ground for any time period of time,’ suggests Brett at NWFA. ‘Warping, cupping, bucking, are all the consequence of extreme dampness remaining on a wooden flooring. This is conveniently prevented by wiping up spills immediately to prevent problems.’
To manage a ‘consistent environment’, be certain you have ample air flow in your rest room, these kinds of as a motorised fan, and open home windows immediately after showering or bathing.
5. A qualified installer is essential
Laying a hardwood ground could glance basic but there are variables, that you could not be conscious of, to look at.
‘The flattening of a subfloor is a normal course of action for all installers,’ claims Brett at NWFA. ‘During the set up procedure, a capable wood flooring expert must flatten the subfloor to inside 3/16” in 10 ft (in normal). Grinding higher spots, and filling reduced spots to achieve these flatness tolerances are not only very best follow, but also demanded by all flooring companies.’
Finally, if you might be thinking of below-floor heating, examine with the supplier, which floorboards will be most ideal.