We
are often asked, “is it safe to install hardwood floors
in the bathrooms of our house?” The answer is yes
and no. Full baths with tubs and kids is not a good
idea. If you happen to live in an adult only household
that towels off while in the tub or shower, the
application can be successful without problems. However
certain precautions should be considered.
Extra precautions such as using large area rugs at the
exit point of tubs or
showers are a good idea. Another
important preventive measure is ventilation. Ventilation
can be as simple as not only running a fan, but opening
windows and doors after bathing or showering. Moisture
and hardwood floors are never a good mix but keeping
them separate of one another is the best solution for a
problem free floor.
Do
Extra Finish Coats Help?
Generally, adding a few extra layers of finish do not
help hardwood floors when it comes to moisture. Some may
think extra finish coats will help seal the flooring,
but with constant humidity changes within a cramped
environment, actually creates more stress. Finishes are
not as elastic as one may think and constant changes in
the relative humidity, allow for ever so slight seams to
open and close. It may not be visible to the naked eye
but they are there.
Powder
Rooms
No problem with powder rooms, because they don’t have
the potentially troublesome problem that tubs and
showers have.
Other
Design Ideas
In
recent years several vinyl flooring manufacturers have
been duplicating wood floor like vinyl floors. One
particular manufacturer to look at is Konetco by
MetroFlor. It may prove to be an alterative choice for
hardwood floors throughout the home. The company
manufacturers some very impressive hardwood look alike
floors that area easily floated over most all subfloors.
View the video below and see for yourself.
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