Slip-Resistant Flooring Options for Bathrooms

Designing the bathroom of your dreams is no easy task!

While we agree that it should be aesthetically pleasing and functional, safety is an important aspect that you shouldn’t ignore. And one of the essential things you can do to have a safe bathroom is to install slip-resistant flooring that will prevent significant accidents and water from accumulating.

Let us dive into some of the best flooring options for your bathroom space to help you achieve the space you’ve always wanted.

6 Best Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring Options

1. Porcelain Or Ceramic Tiles

Porcelain tiles are popular for bathroom floors for more than just their looks. Porcelain is a “family member” of ceramic for the unversed. Still, it’s a slight difference because porcelain tile absorbs somewhat less water than ceramic tile–making it a great choice for a small bathroom or shower base floor.

Unfortunately, due to their smooth surface, ceramic and porcelain tiles can be more slippery when wet or soapy and are tough surfaces to fall on. Most manufacturers offer non-slip bathroom flooring options to reduce accidental falls and prevent injury. The non-slip ceramic and porcelain tile versions have a nanostructured textured surface that makes them comfortable to walk on.

One of the best things about ceramics is that they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, meaning you will invariably find something that suits your bathroom decor and budget. Besides, they are resistant to moisture-related damage and can easily be cleaned.

We suggest using textured ceramics with a CoF (coefficient fraction) of 0.6 or more for enhanced slip resistance.

Alternatively, you can look for tiles with a higher R-rating or anti-slip rating, usually from 9 to 13. And the higher the rating, the better will be the slip resistance. But we’d still recommend using bathroom mats to reinforce the anti-slip factor, especially if people with mobility issues use your bathroom.

2. Polished Concrete

For residential and commercial spaces, polished concrete has become increasingly popular. Any bathroom space can benefit from this concrete finish’s elegance, class, and clean look.

It would be best if you spoke with your contractor about the non-slip option when installing polished concrete in your bathroom. For this, sanding can be done extra to give the surface a coarser texture, or you can use a non-slip topcoat.

It is essential to know that concrete is not waterproof unless it is properly finished and sealed. The project involves acid etching of the concrete and usually a lot of filling, patching, and grinding, which makes it not a do-it-yourself type of project. However, stained concrete is an affordable and beautiful option for flooring, and the colour finishes are unique, so no one else will have a floor like yours.

This option also requires very little maintenance on your part. No grout or exposed areas mean cleaning is as simple as washing with soap and water. You can expect concrete flooring to last for many years; plus, it’s made with a spill, chemical, and stain-resistant material, making it one of our favourites.

3. Non-Slip Vinyl Flooring

Non-slip vinyl comes in different forms (like tiles, planks, and sheets) and is widely regarded as one of the most cost-effective and practical solutions for non-slip bathroom flooring. It also has high water-resistant properties that prevent water accumulation from keeping the floor dry and hygienic.

However, installing luxury vinyl tiles or planks may allow the moisture to seep through the surface and collect in the subfloor section. And this may cause structural damage. We’d suggest installing sheet vinyl flooring that is moisture-resistant and has minimal seams compared to the other two vinyl flooring variations. In hindsight, they may reduce or prevent the problem of water accumulation altogether. This makes non-slip vinyl plank flooring a great option for children’s bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Another thing that we like the most about non-slip vinyl flooring, apart from its slip resistance, is that the material doesn’t feel cold under the feet, so homeowners don’t have to compromise on comfort or warmth, especially during the winter months.

4. Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy concrete finishes are one of the best bathroom floor options. With a wide variety of options and designs, as well as a non-slip coating, you are sure to find the right design to match your space.

It’s important to note that epoxy flooring can withstand chemicals, stains, and shocks. It’s also much less abrasive than many other bathroom flooring options. Like polished concrete, epoxy flooring is easy to clean and doesn’t require harsh chemicals.

Residential and commercial customers interested in installing a new bathroom floor should consider epoxy flooring. You cannot go wrong with so many benefits and a longer lifespan than most alternatives!

5. Linoleum

Integrated with similar water-resistant properties like vinyl, linoleum, or lino is a premium natural material made with linseed oil to help devoid any harmful petrochemicals and is entirely recyclable. Hence, it may just be the right fit for those who are conscious of their environment and want the advantages of vinyl as their non-slip flooring option. Although you’ll notice it has a glossy appearance, several manufacturers typically add slip-resistance films and modified resin solutions to mitigate linoleum’s slippery surface.

But a word of caution: lino undergoes a phenomenon called ambering, which causes it to lose its colour over time with exposure to the sun’s UV rays. So, this may be a problem if your bathroom receives too much sunlight. While it’s a good option for its eco-friendly feature, another downside to linoleum is its high cost compared to vinyl.

6. Carpet

Although unusual for a bathroom floor, carpet flooring can help make the space fall-proof, especially on a wet surface. Plus, the soft fibres are made with comfortable underfoot that don’t become too hot or cold, making it cozy to walk on, especially for kids and the elderly.

Many homeowners also opt for felt padding (placed under the carpet) or built-in padding to make the floor even for transporting wheelchairs. However, unlike shower rags, carpet flooring is a permanent fixture, meaning cleaning it the DIY way will be arduous.

Besides acting as a source of allergy reactions for those with asthma or other breathing problems, these fibres also tend to absorb moisture, damaging the material over time and becoming a breeding ground for various bacteria and fungi.

If you want to install carpet flooring for your bathroom, it will be good to sign up for regular carpet cleaning services.

Things To Consider Before Making a Decision

The market is filled with a wide range of options. In addition to the mentioned list above, your common options can expand to rubber flooring, easy-to-install bamboo flooring, cork flooring that offers extra padding, naturally textured stone flooring, and natural products specifically designed for small children, among other flooring options that could vary depending on their trendy look, colour palette, materials, styles, function, and more.

Considering this, we understand that choosing the best option for your bathroom settings can be difficult, especially for first-time homeowners who have family members with mobility issues. Whether you prefer concrete, hardwood or natural stone, anti-slip floors are nearly necessary to improve safe flooring and avoid the risk of injury. Still, it’s best to leave the job to flooring experts who help you decide according to your needs and budget.

But it would be best if you also did your research beforehand. Thousands of non-slip floor tiles are being endorsed online that aren’t non-slip or slip-resistant. Highly scored flooring products are known for their affordability, durability, and style, as well as stain, scratch and water resistance.

Practising due diligence will help you avoid deception and get the best options with excellent resale value at the best deal. You’ll also need to ensure that the professionals you hire are fully equipped and licensed so you don’t run into any trouble later.

Find Your Ideal Bathroom Flooring With Top Coat Concrete

No floor is entirely slip-resistant. That’s why we’re here to help you make the right choices!

Top Coat Concrete can assist you in choosing the perfect bathroom flooring solution based on your lifestyle, budget and needs. Thanks to our Sydney concrete finishing experts, you can achieve and reimagine the bathroom of your dreams. Contact us today for a free estimate!