Bathroom flooring: vinyl, parquet or tiles?
A bathroom floor has to cope with splashes, steam and temperature changes every day, so the choice is not only about looks but about how the floor handles moisture. Most people choose between three options: vinyl flooring, tiles or a dedicated bathroom parquet. Here is how they differ, what they cost and which one suits which situation.
At a glance: what works in a bathroom
| Floor | Moisture | Underfoot | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glue-down vinyl (LVT dryback) | waterproof, seams bonded to the subfloor | warm, softer, non-slip | from €23/m² |
| Click vinyl (SPC, LVT click) | waterproof; install as the manufacturer specifies for bathrooms | warm, quiet | from €32/m² |
| Tiles | suitable for the shower area too | hard, cool (without heating) | depends on collection |
| Design Parquet Navylam bathroom parquet | dedicated wood system, except shower trays | natural wood, warm | from €105/m² |
Vinyl flooring in the bathroom
Vinyl flooring is the most popular bathroom choice when you want something warmer and quieter than tiles. Vinyl is made of PVC, so it does not absorb water or swell. What matters most is how it is installed:
- Glue-down vinyl (LVT dryback) is bonded to the whole subfloor, so water cannot get between or under the planks. It is the most reliable vinyl option for a bathroom. Choose from our glue-down vinyl flooring; we will match the vinyl flooring adhesive.
- Click SPC has a rigid mineral core and is laid floating, without glue. The floor itself is waterproof, but in a bathroom follow the manufacturer's instructions: they usually allow it in bathrooms except the shower area. For example, Arbiton SPC floors are water-resistant and suitable for underfloor heating.
We explain the difference in LVT or SPC: what is the difference and the installation steps in How to install vinyl flooring.
Tiles
Tiles are the only one of these floors you can safely lay inside the shower area itself. Their downsides are hardness, a cool surface without underfloor heating, and slipperiness if the finish is glossy. You can see wall and floor tile collections at our partner showroom in the same building at T. Ševčenkos g. 19, Vilnius. A common solution is tiles in the shower and vinyl in the rest of the bathroom.
Wood flooring in the bathroom
Ordinary oak parquet or engineered boards are not suitable for a bathroom – constant moisture and splashes make the wood swell. There are, however, dedicated systems: the ship-deck style Navylam and Navylam+ parquet from the French manufacturer Design Parquet, in teak, acacia, doussie, iroko and wenge. The manufacturer gives a 10-year warranty in bathrooms, excluding shower trays. Prices from €105/m². More in Parquet in the bathroom: Design Parquet Navylam.
What about laminate?
Standard laminate has an HDF core that swells when wet, so it is a risky choice for a bathroom. If you like the look and the click installation of laminate, choose click SPC vinyl: it is laid the same way but is not afraid of water. See Vinyl flooring or laminate.
Underfloor heating in the bathroom
Vinyl flooring, tiles and Navylam parquet can all be used over underfloor heating. With vinyl, keep to the maximum surface temperature set by the manufacturer – it is in the product description, or we will confirm it before you order.
Which one to choose
- Bathroom on a budget – glue-down vinyl from €23/m².
- Quick renovation without glue – click SPC vinyl from €32/m² (outside the shower area).
- Walk-in shower without a tray – tiles in the shower, vinyl for the rest.
- Natural wood – Design Parquet Navylam from €105/m².
Send us the bathroom area in m² or a floor plan – we will suggest the floor, adhesive or underlay and calculate the price with delivery within one business day. You can see samples at the Openini showroom in Vilnius, T. Ševčenkos g. 19.
Frequently asked questions
Can vinyl flooring be installed in a bathroom?
Yes. Vinyl does not absorb water, so it suits a bathroom. The most reliable option is glue-down vinyl (LVT dryback). Install click vinyl as the manufacturer specifies – it is usually allowed in bathrooms except the shower area.
What is the best flooring for a bathroom?
Tiles for the shower area. For the rest of the bathroom, glue-down vinyl: it is warmer, quieter and non-slip. If you want natural wood, choose a dedicated bathroom parquet such as Design Parquet Navylam.
Can you put parquet in a bathroom?
Not ordinary parquet. Only dedicated systems are suitable, such as Design Parquet Navylam in teak or other exotic woods, with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty in bathrooms (excluding shower trays).
How much does bathroom flooring cost?
Openini prices incl. VAT: glue-down vinyl from €23/m², click SPC vinyl from €32/m², Navylam bathroom parquet from €105/m². We calculate the final price with adhesive and delivery within one business day.