The Durable, Cost-Effective Flooring HGTV's Mike Holmes Recommends For Bathrooms

When remodeling a bathroom, it's essential to get the flooring right because it can tie the entire design of the space together. Bathroom floors need to be durable, too. Even though they don't see the same kind of foot traffic found in other spaces in the home, moisture and cleaning supplies can create major problems, limiting your choices. When you're seeking the right product that offers affordability, durability, and style for a bathroom floor, why not seek advice from one of the most famous contractors on the planet — Mike Holmes.

Holmes hosts HGTV's "Holmes on Homes" show and regularly creates videos and blogs about remodeling. Holmes has a list of bathroom features worth installing, and he has an opinion on the best flooring to use when renovating bathrooms, too. "Vinyl is a terrific choice if you're looking for a less expensive floor," Holmes wrote recently on Facebook. "It's also easy to put together, so if you're searching for a DIY project, you can save money and time."

Holmes specifically likes luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) because of their durability and moisture-resistance. LVT consists of a bottom layer of vinyl with a top layer that contains a printed design that can resemble other materials, like stone or wood. "I am a fan of luxury vinyl flooring," Holmes wrote on X. "Premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain." Learn more about why Holmes believes in the benefits of using LVT in bathrooms.

Although Mike Holmes endorses the idea of using ceramic or porcelain tiles in a bathroom redesign, he likes the cost-effectiveness of LVT. LVT flooring materials can cost an average of $4 to $7 per square foot, while ceramic tiles frequently cost $5 to $20 per square foot. You can save additional money when you choose LVT because you can install this flooring yourself, rather than having to hire someone. When installing ceramic or porcelain tiles, you might pay $4 to $25 per square foot for the labor costs. You could try to DIY a ceramic or porcelain tile flooring installation in a bathroom, but it requires quite a bit of preparation and the use of a tile cutter, which is why some people choose to hire a professional for help.

Vinyl is one of the best bathroom flooring options for improving resale value for the home, too. It improves visual appeal in the bathroom while delivering durability that potential home buyers can trust. Because of LVT's ability to mimic high-end types of flooring, it can give you a boost in home value similar to what you receive with the high-end flooring while requiring a smaller investment. "Luxury vinyl flooring is becoming an increasingly popular option for bathrooms. The material is not only waterproof but also provides a stylish and budget-friendly alternative to traditional tile," said Mike Holmes Jr. in a recent blog post.

When listing flooring installation tips that Mike Holmes swears by, luxury vinyl is one of the strongest options. This is because vinyl and LVTs are durable and moisture-resistant options, perfect for a moisture-prone area like the bathroom. Aside from water that spills on the floor, there's also the danger of water coming up from the ground. In these cases, you might notice water seeping through the floor in a bathroom by passing through the grout joints in a tile layout. If you have a floating LVT layout, however, water will not seep through the locking mechanism used to connect the vinyl planks.

Cleaning the bathroom floor regularly is important to keep the space free of bacteria, dust, dirt, grime, and odors. You'll probably need to thoroughly clean the floor every one to two weeks for maximum hygienic safety, which makes the durability of LVT especially important. Additionally, this flooring is stain- and water-resistant, making it easier to clean. To maintain their longevity, you should avoid using abrasive scrubbers and cleaning solutions or products designed to make the LVT floors in your bathroom shine. When looking for the right cleaning product, stick with the recommendations of the manufacturer. You can safely use pH-neutral cleaners on most brands and models of luxury vinyl, while avoiding products that include bleach. Another one of the easiest ways to clean vinyl floors is with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water.