Bathroom floors in the UK have a hard life: steam, splashes, bare feet on cold mornings and, in coastal spots like Lee-on-the-Solent, plenty of damp air year round. Having fitted a lot of bathrooms locally, we see the same question again and again, so here is a straight answer on what actually works, what it roughly costs and what we would steer you away from.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT), brands like Karndean or Amtico, is the one we recommend most often. It is fully waterproof, warm and quiet underfoot, and modern wood and stone effects are convincing enough that visitors rarely clock the difference. Expect roughly £35 to £70 per square metre supplied and fitted depending on the range, plus a bit more if the subfloor needs a levelling compound first, which older properties around Gosport and Lee often do.
Porcelain tile is the most durable option and the best partner for underfloor heating. It shrugs off water completely and will outlast the rest of the bathroom. The trade offs are that it is cold without heating, harder underfoot, and grout lines need occasional attention. Fitted costs vary widely with tile choice, but £60 to £100 per square metre including preparation is a realistic bracket. Sheet vinyl is the budget choice, often £20 to £35 per square metre fitted, and because it comes in one piece there are almost no joints for water to find. It is a sensible pick for rental properties and family bathrooms that take a beating.
Laminate and solid wood are the two we regularly talk customers out of. Laminate has a compressed fibreboard core that swells the first time water sits in a joint, and once the edges lift there is no repairing it. Solid timber moves too much in a steamy room, and even well sealed boards eventually cup or gap. If you want the wood look, wood effect LVT or plank format porcelain gets you there without the risk.
Real stone such as travertine or limestone can look lovely but needs sealing on a schedule most people forget about, and it is unforgiving if anything is dropped on it. We would only suggest it where the homeowner genuinely wants the maintenance trade off.
Most bathroom floor failures we get called out to were caused underneath, not on top. Timber subfloors in older homes flex, and that movement cracks tile grout within a year or two. For tiling over floorboards we overlay with a cement backer board or suitable ply first; for LVT the floor usually needs a smoothing compound to get it flat enough. This preparation typically adds a day and a modest cost, but skipping it is why cheap tiling jobs fail.
Around the Solent the housing stock ranges from Victorian terraces to 1960s estates and newer builds, and each behaves differently. It is worth having whoever quotes actually lift a corner or check the floor construction rather than pricing blind from a photo.
Cold feet are the most common complaint about tiled bathrooms, and electric underfloor heating is a fairly affordable fix at the refit stage, often a few hundred pounds extra for a typical family bathroom rather than thousands. It works under both porcelain and most LVT ranges, though LVT has a maximum floor temperature, usually 27 degrees, so check the manufacturer's guidance.
Slip resistance is worth a thought too, especially for children or older family members. Look for tiles rated R10 or above for bathrooms, or choose a textured LVT finish. High gloss porcelain looks smart in a showroom but is the slipperiest option when wet.
Yes, the planks themselves are 100 percent waterproof and a well fitted floor with sealed perimeter edges copes fine with normal bathroom use. The main caveat is standing water finding its way under the flooring at the edges, which is a fitting issue rather than a material one.
Sheet vinyl or LVT in an average bathroom is usually one to two days including preparation. Tiling takes longer, typically two to three days, because adhesive and grout need curing time before the room is back in use.
Sometimes. LVT can go over sound, flat tiles with a levelling layer, which saves the mess of ripping up the old floor. If the existing tiles are loose, hollow sounding or the floor height would cause door and toilet clearance problems, removal is the better job.
Call, email or WhatsApp a few photos of the job. We will come back to you with an honest opinion and a clear price.
Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, Stubbington, Hill Head, Fareham, Portchester, Warsash and along the Solent coast.