Best Budget-Friendly Bathroom Flooring Options

If your bathroom is causing you stress instead of alleviating it, then it may be time to update it. A bathroom is both functional and relaxing, especially with a bath or shower after a long day. So if you find your bathroom begins weighing on your mind, then you know it’s time to start planning its renovation. 

However, for some homeowners, their dreams of an updated bathroom may seem far-fetched due to budgetary constraints. But what if we told you that there are affordable flooring choices that can transform the look of your bathroom without blowing the budget?

As experienced flooring and tile installers across the GTA, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular, budget-friendly bathroom flooring options that can elevate the look of your space. Read on to find out which flooring material is right for you! 

The Best Budget-Friendly Bathroom Flooring Choices

We’ll go through the best economical flooring materials, their drawbacks, give you a rough idea of cost, and some design inspiration to help you envision the material in your bathroom.

Vinyl

Benefits: The most affordable of all bathroom flooring choices is sheet vinyl. Luxury vinyl plank 

is also a great option, but it costs more than traditional sheet vinyl. Sheet vinyl has come a long way and is an excellent addition to a bathroom as it’s moisture-resistant, scratch-resistant, and easy to install. As experienced flooring and tile installers, we recommend using vinyl if you frequently like to update your bathroom. 

Drawbacks: Vinyl is a short-term flooring as it will last up to a decade. It’s also not eco-friendly, not suitable for high-traffic bathrooms, prone to scratches and dents, and low-end vinyls emit chemical odours.

Cost: The cost of sheet vinyl in Canada is $1-5 a square foot.

Design Guide: Another benefit to vinyl is the variety of patterns, including stone-look, wood-look, and mosaic. Use stone-look for the quintessential bathroom look, add wood-look for a spa vibe, or mosaic for character. 

Linoleum 

Benefits: Linoleum, unlike vinyl, is made from natural ingredients, making it an environmentally friendly choice. And did we mention that it is biodegradable? It also comes in sheet and tile varieties, but sheet linoleum is the better option for your bathroom as it does not have seams, making it more moisture resistant. 

Drawbacks: The biggest downside to linoleum is that it emits a strong smell, it scratches and dents easily, and it requires a sealant to make it moisture-resistant. 

Cost: The Canadian price is $2-5 a square foot. Some homeowners may find it easier to hire a professional flooring and tile installer to lay linoleum because it does not require proper sealing to remain water-resistant. If this sounds like you, then you’ll need to factor in the added cost of labour.

Design Guide: Linoleum comes in every colour (e.g., sea foam), pattern (e.g., herringbone), and style (e.g., wood-look), so pick the colour or style that matches your room design. Be mindful of how big your bathroom is, as lighter colours can make smaller spaces feel larger.

Laminate

Benefits: It may seem odd to list laminate as an economical material for your bathroom, but if you buy the “water-resistant” variety, then it is suitable for most uses. As experienced flooring and tile installers, we don’t recommend using laminate in high-use bathrooms. Some other benefits are that the wood or stone look is hyperrealistic, laminate is easy to clean, and it is a great DIY project.

Drawbacks: Laminate is not impervious to water, some varieties contain formaldehyde, it has a lifespan of up to 20 years, it cannot be refinished, and it’s prone to developing a squeak.

Cost: In Canada, you can expect to pay between $2 and $5 a square foot.

Design Guide: Laminate is predominantly available in wood-look, so it is an excellent choice for homeowners who love the look of hardwood.  

Ceramic Tile

Benefits: The final economical flooring material, also happens to be one of the most enduringly popular ones: ceramic tile. Not only does ceramic outperform other flooring materials in terms of water resistance, but it’s also long-lasting, durable, hygienic, easy to clean, and an eco-friendly option.

Drawbacks: The main drawbacks to ceramic are the added cost to install, as it’s better to use a flooring and tile installer, ongoing grout maintenance to keep the water out, and it’s cold underfoot. However, you can install radiant heating underneath ceramic tiles to warm the tiles. Also, keep in mind that ceramic can be slippery when wet, so for bathroom floors, it’s best to use textured varieties for added traction.

Cost: To buy ceramic tile in Canada, it’s about $5-10 a square foot.

Design Guide: Ceramic is available in every colour (e.g., neutrals), pattern (e.g., geometric), and design (e.g., stone-look), so how you choose to install them depends on your style preference. Perhaps the most popular use for ceramic in the bathroom is “tile drenching” the space in white for a uniform, clean, and minimalist look. But you can also insert character with trendy colours to break up neutrals, use a timeless pattern like herringbone, go bold with moody dark tiles and splashes of popular gold accents, or keep it refreshing with a wood or stone look.

Which Budget-Friendly Bathroom Flooring Should You Choose?

When it comes to installing any flooring, one of the most critical questions homeowners must ask themselves is: what’s your budget? Setting a realistic budget prevents homeowners from overspending, which is especially important for those with economic constraints. Thus, if money is limited, get the most bang for your buck with any of these options! 

Also, keep in mind that if you’re hiring a flooring or tile installer, this cost must be included in your budget, and the cheapest flooring is not necessarily the best choice. For instance, if you have to spend a dollar more per square foot on a vinyl without harsh chemicals, this is a better investment for the health of your family.

Lastly, if you have questions about any of these budget-friendly floorings, don’t hesitate to call us, the Brothers Flooring, for a free consultation! We’d be happy to give you additional advice on these flooring materials, so your bathroom can once again become a quiet place of refuge after a long day.