Bathroom floors
Bathroom flooring that grips, stays flat and doesn't mind water
A bathroom floor in Miami needs to handle standing water, high humidity and daily cleaning, and still be safe on bare wet feet. That narrows the list to a few materials, installed over a base that won't move.
- Porcelain & stone
- Terrazzo restoration
- Condo sound underlayment
Flooring options compared
| Floor | Water | Grip when wet | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain tile | Excellent | Good with a wet-rated matte or textured finish | Low |
| Natural stone (honed) | Good when sealed | Good when honed; poor when polished | Resealing; pH-neutral cleaners |
| Terrazzo | Good when sealed | Moderate; depends on finish | Periodic polishing and sealing |
| Mosaic tile | Excellent | Very good (many grout lines) | More grout to clean |
| Rigid-core vinyl | Surface yes, seams vulnerable | Moderate | Low |
| Microcement | Good when sealed properly | Depends on sealer | Resealing over time |
We compare these in more depth in the best bathroom flooring for humid climates.
Slip resistance
Tile makers publish a DCOF figure measured under ANSI A137.1. For level interior floors that get wet, look for tile rated for "interior wet" use, typically a DCOF of 0.42 or higher. Polished stone and glossy porcelain look beautiful and are best kept to walls.
What's under the floor
On a slab, we check for cracks and level the surface before tiling. Where cracks exist, an uncoupling or crack-isolation membrane stops them telegraphing through. In condos, many associations require an acoustic underlayment under hard floors, which affects door and threshold heights. On wood-framed floors, stiffness decides which tile sizes are safe to use.
Floor-only projects
A new floor can refresh a bathroom without a full remodel, but it involves pulling the toilet, often the vanity, and dealing with the transition to the next room. If the vanity is coming out anyway, it may be worth looking at a new vanity at the same time. For floors in a larger scope, see bathroom tile installation.
If the bathroom is being adapted for someone with limited mobility, floor choice goes together with threshold removal and grab bars. See accessible bathrooms.
Questions we hear about this
Is luxury vinyl plank OK in a bathroom?
Rigid-core vinyl is waterproof itself, but water can get through seams and around the perimeter to the subfloor. It's acceptable in a powder room or low-splash bathroom; in a family bathroom with a shower, porcelain is the safer choice.
I found terrazzo under my old bathroom floor. Can it be kept?
Many mid-century South Florida homes have original terrazzo under later flooring. It can often be restored by grinding and polishing, though bathroom sections may have been cut for plumbing over the years. Patching can be done, but an exact colour match is difficult.
Can new tile go over old tile?
Sometimes, if the old tile is solidly bonded and the extra height works at the door and the toilet flange. In most remodels we remove it, because it's the only way to see what's underneath.
Related services
Related guides
Replace a worn or slippery bathroom floor
Tell us about the room and the current floor. We'll check what's underneath and recommend a material.
(305) 712-5953 Total Bathroom Remodeling Miami10800 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33161
Open daily, 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM