Vinyl Flooring Bathroom Shower - Easy Installation

Vinyl flooring in the bathroom, toilet, and shower? Yes, it’s possible! Many homeowners are unaware that vinyl floors are an excellent option for wet areas. Thanks to modern technologies, vinyl floors now offer a waterproof, durable, and stylish alternative to traditional tiles. In this guide, you’ll learn why vinyl floors are ideal for your bathroom, toilet, and shower, and how to install them correctly to achieve a long-lasting and attractive solution.

What is the ideal flooring for the bathroom?

Tiles have proven themselves for many decades in bathrooms. But today, do we still need tiles on the floor and walls of the bathroom? Many now choose bathroom designs with vinyl flooring.

The trend has been moving away from cold, hard, and ultimately uncomfortable ceramics for several years. This is why more and more people want to renovate their bathroom and toilet with vinyl. An appealing design with vinyl can significantly enhance a bathroom. Even a small guest toilet can become an attractive showpiece for guests. No one wants to remember times gone by when visiting the toilet. Who doesn’t know the green or brown tiles that flash back to the 70s and 80s? Even the cold white wall tiles of the 90s do not create a feel-good atmosphere in the bathroom. And this atmosphere is more in demand than ever, regardless of the size and style of the bathroom.

The ideal bathroom flooring focuses on a pleasant ambiance. The ideal bathroom floor covering must, of course, meet the technical requirements for wet rooms and cover the desired properties.

The ideal bathroom flooring must be completely waterproof and very easy to clean. Today, the robustness of tiles is less in demand; rather, the focus is on a harmonious look without joints and pleasant foot warmth. This is exactly what modern vinyl flooring offers. Even without underfloor heating, vinyl feels much warmer than tiles. The range of vinyl tiles is impressive. Although there are tiles with a wood look, vinyl tiles often surpass them both visually and haptically.

Additionally, the easy processing of vinyl is a significant advantage. Unlike tiles, a DIY enthusiast can also install vinyl in the bathroom. However, there are important things to consider when installing vinyl in the bathroom.

Which vinyl flooring is suitable for the bathroom and toilet?

Vinyl floors differ fundamentally in their material composition. Not all vinyl floors are equally suitable for wet rooms like bathrooms and toilets. The focus should be on waterproofness. There is solid glue-down vinyl, also known as full vinyl or design flooring. You can also get full vinyl for clicking. Additionally, there are click vinyl floors with various other backing materials such as HDF, WPC, or SPC.

Is glue-down vinyl suitable for bathrooms?

Solid glue-down vinyl is considered absolutely waterproof and suitable for wet rooms. It is also called full vinyl for gluing. These 2-3 mm thick design planks are glued firmly to the substrate or onto the self-adhesive underlay Silent Stick. The vinyl material itself hardly absorbs any water, making it ideal for use in bathrooms. Glue-down vinyl withstands high humidity. Wet rooms such as toilets, washrooms, or utility rooms are also suitable. In a very wet area such as the shower, additional steps are required to prevent damage. However, note that laying on Silent Stick is not suitable for permanent moisture.

Since the planks are only glued edge to edge, small amounts of water can also penetrate the substrate. Good dispersion adhesives, however, withstand prolonged exposure to water without problems. This does not apply to the dry adhesive on the Silent Stick underlay. Therefore, even with moderate water exposure, there should be no problems with full vinyl in the bathroom.

Is click vinyl also suitable for the bathroom?

A solid click vinyl can be just as waterproof as glue-down vinyl, as they are both made from the same material. However, make sure the waterproof properties are stated in the product description. Only then can you be sure that there will never be a problem with moisture or standing water. Sometimes manufacturers use water-sensitive fillers like chalk in the base material.

Some critics point out that solid click vinyl is not waterproof. This is also true for glue-down vinyl. Small amounts of water can penetrate the joints. However, extensive practical tests have shown that even after a long time, no water penetrates under the flooring through the click connections. Click vinyl even has an advantage over glue-down vinyl in this area.

There are also other types of click vinyl that are perfectly suitable for bathrooms, including click vinyl with ISOCORE® backing.

Can you also install click vinyl with HDF backing in the bathroom?

Click vinyl with HDF backing only has a truly waterproof vinyl layer on the top. The HDF material, being a high-density fibreboard, is excluded from use in wet rooms. Therefore, you should always clean a click vinyl floor with HDF backing with a "damp" mop. Prolonged exposure to water at the edges would irreparably deform click vinyl with HDF backing.

Renovating the bathroom and toilet with vinyl – what to consider

A classic bathroom renovation can be very expensive. Removing old tiles and preparing a new substrate with new tiles can be very complex renovation work. It requires professional knowledge and skilled tradespeople.

You can save on renovation costs by installing the vinyl yourself. Whether you choose glue-down vinyl or click vinyl depends on your preferences and personal circumstances. More information on these techniques in the next section.

Always ensure careful sealing in the bathroom! Water finds its way. The critical points are always the joints and transitions to walls, showers, or other components. Therefore, professional sealing in the bathroom is essential to prevent costly damage from water ingress. If in doubt, always consult professionals.

Have you used drywall like plasterboard or wood-based materials like OSB in your bathroom? Then you should apply full-surface sealing on the floor and at least on the walls that are only moderately exposed to water. This works, for example, with special sealing fleece, sealing tapes, and special corner pieces. This ensures that nothing rots, even if the water stands in the bathroom or the silicone seal fails.

ATTENTION! In directly wet areas such as the shower or bathtub, be particularly careful. While occasional splashes of water have little impact, floor-level showers and bathroom floors are also exposed to high humidity. Therefore, do not experiment with vinyl planks in wet areas. To ensure that vinyl works safely in the bathroom, a proven material structure is required.

Gluing vinyl in the bathroom and toilet

The most common method is gluing vinyl in the bathroom with wet adhesive. To do this, the substrate must be professionally smoothed so that no unevenness is visible in the vinyl. The vinyl adhesive needs an evenly absorbent substrate. You can also smooth out old tiles to prepare the substrate for vinyl gluing.

You can also lay vinyl in the bathroom on a self-adhesive underlay. This dry installation technique for glue-down vinyl is really simple. You lay the vinyl floating without direct gluing to the floor. If the substrate is smooth, you can even avoid smoothing it.

Laying self-adhesive vinyl flooring in the bathroom is also possible. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. This dry adhesive method requires a substrate as smooth as with wet-bed gluing. Deviations are immediately visible in the vinyl covering. Renovating directly on old tiles is not recommended. You must smooth the substrate beforehand.

Installing click vinyl in the bathroom

Do you prefer to install click vinyl in the bathroom? Installing click vinyl in the bathroom works very well even for areas with moderate water exposure. Of course, only if it is a fully waterproof vinyl floor. You should first ensure the professional sealing of the substrate before installing click vinyl. A proper edge sealing with silicone keeps water out but not permanently. This is because the silicone joint is a maintenance joint that must be renewed at certain intervals.

With click vinyl in the bathroom, you only need to smooth it if the substrate is not smooth enough. Often, you can use well-laid old tiles as a substrate in combination with the appropriate underlay.

If click vinyl also needs to be 100% waterproof because the water exposure is very high, you should seal click vinyl as you would glue-down vinyl. A special PU seal ensures a permanent seal in the bathroom.

Vinyl in the bathroom also on the wall

It makes sense to consider gluing vinyl not only to the floor but also to the walls instead of tiles. For aesthetic reasons, most people want the same vinyl decor for floor and wall. Follow the instructions below for a trouble-free installation of vinyl on the wall.

Gluing vinyl to the wall - Is it possible?

Yes, it is possible to glue vinyl to wall surfaces. As with the floor, the surfaces must be smooth. Glue-down vinyl does not forgive any unevenness, even on the wall.

However, unlike the floor, the walls do not necessarily have to be smoothed. So you can glue vinyl on these surfaces as long as they are smooth enough:

• Absorbent and non-absorbent substrates
• Lacquered or ceramic surfaces, coatings
• Plasters, paints, wallpapers
• Old coverings and metals

For attaching glue-down vinyl planks to walls, it is recommended to use contact adhesive. Both meeting surfaces should be coated with it. Then, after a drying phase, you can glue the vinyl planks to the desired wall. With contact adhesive, the vinyl on the wall will not slip as it immediately and firmly adheres.

Other alternatives to tiles on the bathroom wall

Tiles have proven themselves and are always associated with a bathroom or toilet. But tiles are no longer the only option in the bathroom. There are plenty of ideas. But not all are easy to implement.

A really simple option for bathroom renovation is the planeo wall cladding. You can easily install this alternative to tiles in the bathroom yourself. It is a completely waterproof system that you can stick to the wall in a few steps. The planeo wall cladding offers excellent splash protection. As an open wall system with quickly drying surfaces, you can also use the planeo wall cladding on the sealed walls in the shower or bathtub.

Can vinyl flooring also be laid in the shower?

Yes, it is definitely possible to lay vinyl flooring in the shower, as solid vinyl is absolutely waterproof. You don’t have to do without vinyl in the wet cell and instead lay tiles.

Here’s how vinyl works even in heavily wet areas like the shower and bathtub:

• Seal the substrates absolutely watertight.
• Use only special polymer adhesive that is not damaged by water over time.
• Then seal the surface completely - this gives you double protection against water ingress.

How to seal vinyl flooring in the bathroom?

When you think about sealing vinyl flooring in the bathroom, think of silicone first. You can, of course, seal all expansion joints, seams, and transitions with silicone. This prevents large amounts of water from seeping into cracks and joints.

However, silicone remains a maintenance joint. Silicone keeps your vinyl in the bathroom watertight for many years if applied correctly. However, silicone shows signs of aging or movement in the joints. Therefore, you should check the seal from time to time.

In addition, pay attention to areas with high water exposure:

• The wet cell requires special attention. A professional seal before laying vinyl is necessary. You protect the substrate similarly to tile laying with a fleece sealing system.
• Other areas in the bathroom highly exposed to water should also be well sealed. If the floor-level shower is adjacent to the rest of the bathroom or the bathtub has an unprotected shower, a lot of water can reach the floor. Therefore, you should also seal these areas completely.
• In addition to silicone in the joints and corners, seal the vinyl additionally in the bathroom with a durable PU seal. This protects critical areas from prolonged water exposure. The PU-based seal is applied like paint with a roller. It is extremely durable, chemical-resistant, and increases slip resistance to R11. This slip resistance class is even approved for use in public areas.
• Sealing vinyl flooring in the bathroom is an absolutely safe method of bathroom renovation with vinyl. It is also recommended in hotels, guesthouses, or other public areas. Sealing vinyl flooring in the bathroom guarantees safety for users and property owners.

Are there experiences with vinyl flooring in the bathroom?

Yes, even though vinyl flooring in the bathroom has not been in use as long as tiles, we usually receive positive feedback. Inspired by enthusiastic friends and neighbors, our customers want to renovate their own bathrooms with vinyl.

It is mainly the pleasant properties of vinyl that prove advantageous in the bathroom.

• The warmth of vinyl flooring in the bathroom is perceived as practical and pleasant by most. After all, everyone walks barefoot, and no one really wants to feel the cold tiles.
• The clean and quiet installation is also appreciated. No noise, no dirt, and the work can be done quite easily by oneself.
• Those who have installed vinyl themselves in their bathrooms have generally been able to save considerable renovation costs.

Can vinyl cause problems in the bathroom?

As long as you use waterproof full vinyl in the bathroom, you should not expect any significant problems with vinyl.

Difficulties can arise from poor sealing, adhesion, or finishes, but this is not the vinyl's fault. Non-sealed vinyl can be sensitive to solvent-based chemicals. The surface can fade slightly. The same applies to intense UV exposure. The solution is to seal the vinyl surface with a PU coating.

Vinyl flooring in the bathroom: important questions summarized

Vinyl flooring in the bathroom – What are the advantages?

With vinyl flooring, you significantly enhance your bathroom. It is the ideal flooring for use in bathrooms thanks to the following features:

• Waterproof
• Pleasantly warm underfoot
• Easy to install
• Elastic
• Easy to maintain
• Durable
• Joint-friendly
• Wide variety of designs

Which vinyl flooring for the bathroom?

Solid glue-down vinyl, also known as full vinyl for gluing, is completely waterproof and thus ideal for use in wet rooms. Continuous high humidity and even moderate water exposure for hours are no problem for glue-down vinyl. Solid click vinyl is just as waterproof as glue-down vinyl. In general, you can check if a vinyl floor is suitable for wet rooms in the product descriptions from the respective manufacturers. You will find all bathroom-suitable vinyl types in the shop.

Should you glue or click vinyl flooring in the bathroom?

Installing vinyl yourself saves you expensive renovation work. You can install vinyl in the bathroom either by gluing or clicking. A special PU seal ensures a durable seal in the bathroom. Glue-down vinyl is best installed in the bathroom with wet adhesive. More about installation techniques for vinyl flooring can be found here.

Is vinyl flooring also suitable for the shower?

Solid glue-down vinyl is absolutely waterproof and is also suitable for heavily wet areas such as the shower and bathtub. Careful sealing before installation is essential. This prevents structural damage from water ingress.

Can you also glue vinyl to the bathroom walls?

Yes, you can also install vinyl on walls. By harmonizing the walls and floor, you create a homogeneous look in your bathroom. Make sure that the surfaces, like the floor, are smooth and even. Smoothing the walls is not necessarily required unlike the floor. For installing vinyl on walls, use contact adhesive. This ensures a secure hold of the vinyl planks on the walls. You can also install click vinyl on the bathroom walls. For this, horizontal installation of the planks is recommended, which requires some skill.

Conclusion

Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for your bathroom and shower. Thanks to its water resistance and easy maintenance, it offers a durable and stylish solution for wet rooms. With proper preparation and installation, you can create a beautiful, functional, and aesthetically pleasing floor covering.

Find your dream floor now!

Are you ready to give your bathroom a new look? Discover our high-quality selection of vinyl floors, perfect for wet environments. Click here to browse our range and get advice from our experts. Order today and start your renovation project with planeo!

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No matter what challenges you face with your project, planeo provides you with the right solution. Benefit from the advantages of our services:

• Free samples⁴ for many of our products: Order up to 7 samples at no cost, for instance, of our vinyl floors, click vinyl, adhesive vinyl, or rigid vinyl.
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