Is It a Good Idea to Use Wood Floors in Bathrooms?

Thinking about putting wooden floors in a bathroom? If so, you might want to read this article first.

Wood flooring in a bathroom can be a risky procedure, but if done correctly, your bathroom can survive years of steamy showers and bath time splashes.

Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about this, cover which types of wood flooring work best, as well as give you some amazing wood floor designs for bathrooms.

Can You Use Wooden Floors in Bathrooms?

Short answer: yes, but it can be a really bad idea if not done right.

Put simply, wood floor bathrooms are a high-risk, high-reward situation. Moisture is the enemy of any wood floor, and in the bathroom it’ll have to resist water damage year after year. 

Wood flooring can warp and buckle over time from moisture. That means you need to stay eagle-eyed to wipe up spills, check for plumbing leaks, and make sure there’s always enough air circulation. 

But if you’re in love with the idea of wood flooring and you have the resources to confront any future issues, we say—go for it! 

What to Consider Before Installing Wood Floors in a Bathroom

Spills and splashes

Water will be spilled and splashed on your bathroom floor. It’s unavoidable, and there’s no use pretending it won’t happen every time you use your sink or shower (especially if you have kids). 

While small splashes might not seem like much at first, daily splashes over the years can add up to severe damage. This is especially true if they collect in areas you don’t pay much attention to, like in corners or under fixtures. 

Besides, it’s not only water you have to worry about – hair products, especially bleaches and dyes, can do a number on your wood floors.

Sloping floors

If your bathroom subfloor isn’t perfectly level, water will slide into low areas and create puddles. 

Subflooring is usually made of plywood or concrete, which both react to moisture. If the subfloor structure shifts and deforms, it will disrupt your underlayment and upset the slope of the wood floor, which leads to more puddles.

Luckily, you can identify which areas are lower and likely to collect puddles, but you will need to keep mopping up these same areas–quickly– for the entire life of your floor. 

Standing water will seep into the seams between your floorboards. Once that happens, you’ll have a whole host of new problems from mold to cracking.

Mold and mildew

Speaking of mold, it’s not just gross on last week’s leftovers—mold exposure is toxic to your health and dangerous in your home. Mold and its bumbling sidekick, mildew, like to grow in damp, dark areas—like under the hardwood floors in your bathroom. 

Mold attacks wood fibers from below, eventually causing wood rot and structural failure. And because mold needs humidity to flourish, a bathroom is the most likely place for it to thrive. 

Plumbing disasters

Coming home to a burst pipe and several inches of standing water is a homeowner’s nightmare. 

Flooding is often a death sentence for a hardwood floor. If your house has a history of plumbing issues, you’re choosing wood at your own risk—so make sure to replace older pipes and fixtures before installing. 

Maintenance Tips

It’s not all doom and gloom! You’ve chosen a harder path, but that doesn’t mean that disaster is inevitable. If you make smart choices now, you can prevent water damage in your wood floor bathroom down the road. 

It sounds simple, but consistent maintenance habits will extend the life of your flooring and save you big bucks on future repair bills. Here’s a few tips that can drastically extend the lifespan of your wood bathroom flooring:

• Wipe up spills and splashes as they occur
• Identify low spots in your floor and always check for puddles
• Lay absorbent bath mats, then hang them to dry
• Keep a squeegee in your shower to move water droplets to the drain
• Check your bathroom fixtures regularly for leaks
• Make sure your bathroom exhaust fan is in good working order
• Keep your bathroom window open during and after you bathe to circulate air

Also, if your bathroom doesn’t have a window or a good fan, stop right here. An interior bathroom without proper ventilation is not the right fit for any hardwood floor. Without good air circulation, humidity will build up on almost all types of wood flooring.

The Best Types of Wood Flooring for Bathrooms

The best types of wood for bathrooms are durable, naturally water-resistant, and look and feel wonderful. Making the right selection from the endless number of wood flooring types on the market is the most important thing you can do when starting your project. Here’s what you need to know:

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood flooring is a safer bet for bathrooms than solid hardwood is. The best engineered wood flooring is composed of high-quality plywood, a thin veneer of solid wood, and a durable finish. While it’s not waterproof per se, it can flex and bend without warping thanks to its plywood core.

When installed, it’s completely indistinguishable from solid hardwood—and much more moisture-resistant to boot. While there are some disadvantages to this option, they mostly have to do with refinishing, and if you’re putting wood floors in a bathroom, the ability to refinish for decades on end probably isn’t a major concern.

Some wood species are better than others 

When choosing between different types of wood flooring, we’d recommend leaning towards species that rank higher on the Janka Hardness Scale. Harder woods are often less porous, which generally means they’re less vulnerable to water damage. 

Woods like ipe, maple, and cherry make good bathroom floors, as does mahogany. Teak is packed with natural resins and oils that make it naturally water-resistant.

Another great option is pine flooring, but you’d have to be really careful to keep it sealed at all times. Cedar is another interesting option, as it’s also packed with natural resins that keep it from swelling and shrinking with moisture.

Cork might seem like odd choices for a bathroom floor, but it’s surprisingly water-resistant. Its natural, lush pattern can transform any humdrum bathroom into a refreshing, spa-style retreat. Cork floors are flexible, soft, and hold in heat—great for years of bare feet. Even more importantly, it’s naturally antimicrobial—aka mold and mildew resistant. 

Bamboo flooring can transform your bathroom into your own personal spa. It’s a popular choice for stylish homes, and it’s crazy strong to boot. With a Janka rating that rivals some of the world’s most durable wood flooring, bamboo is a remarkably good option for bathroom use.

5 Ideas For Wood Floors in Bathrooms

1. Rustic Spa Retreat

Transform your bathroom into a cozy, rustic spa with wide-plank, distressed oak flooring. The natural imperfections and knots in the wood add character and warmth, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.

2. Minimalist Zen Oasis

Dark bamboo flooring offers a distinctly sleek, minimalist look. The clean lines and uniform color of bamboo provide a modern and sophisticated backdrop for a serene, clutter-free bathroom. 

3. Scandinavian Chic

Achieve a Scandinavian chic look with light ash wood flooring. Pale tones of ash wood brighten up the space, making it feel open and airy while maintaining a cozy, hygge vibe.

4. Vintage Glamour

The deep, reddish-brown hues of cherry wood exude luxury and sophistication, creating a stunning contrast with classic white fixtures and gold accents. 

5. Beachside Bliss

Bring the feel of a beachside retreat to your bathroom with weathered gray wood flooring. The sun-bleached, driftwood appearance adds a relaxed, coastal vibe, perfect for a serene and breezy bathroom environment.