Are hardwood floors okay in a bathroom?

Hardwood floors — whether restored, recycled or installed new — have become one of the most popular choices in every area of the home, and the bathroom is no exception. With a few extra precautions, wood floors can perform as well in bathrooms as they do everywhere else.

Can you put engineered wood flooring in a bathroom?





This is why many homeowners ask themselves an important question: can you use engineered wood flooring in a bathroom? The short answer is yes!

How do you protect hardwood floors around a toilet?

As bathrooms are wet environments, you need to protect your floor with a waterproof seal, to stop the water seeping into the wooden floor. A finishing agent can be used to create an invisible barrier between wood and water. Use a polyurethane-based sealer and apply several times.

Is plywood a subfloor?

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

How can I waterproof my bathroom floor with hardwood?

A good solution is to seal (apply a sealer) over the paint or paint over a sealer. The only three surefire ways to waterproof wood are using oils (ideally linseed and tung oil), sealing using a sealant (polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish), or finishing and waterproofing wood simultaneously with a stain + sealant combo.

What kind of flooring do you put in a bathroom?





The most popular choice for bathrooms is tile. Specifically, ceramic and porcelain tiles are great options for bathrooms. Tile flooring is resilient, waterproof, available in a variety of colors and designs, and generally less expensive than other hard surface options.

What kind of wood is used for bathroom subfloor?

Plywood as a Subfloor Material



Traditionally, exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects. Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. CDX plywood (¾”) in particular is used often because it has a high level of resistance to moisture and humidity.

How do you waterproof a bathroom subfloor plywood?

To waterproof the plywood yourself, first repair it if needed and then sand it down and clean it off. Use a waterproof sealant, stain or paint and apply two to three layers. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before painting the next one.

How thick should subfloor plywood be?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch.

How do you install plywood over subfloor?



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Can you seal hardwood floors to make them waterproof?

Seal with Silicone



Using a caulk gun and silicone seal, fill the seams between the floor and the wall. Fill any cracks in the floor as well. Cracks and gaps will attract moisture, so sealing them completely is an important step in making sure your floors are entirely waterproofed. Allow to dry for 24-hours.

Can you make real hardwood floors waterproof?

Hardwood floors cannot usually become absolutely waterproof, but applying a highly water-resistant surface sealer works well to safeguard your floors. Polyurethane wood sealers are the most popular option for protecting hardwood.

How do you seal plywood subfloor?



Apply a bead of the silicone caulk around the entire perimeter of the subfloor. Place the angled part of the nozzle flat against the crevice between the subfloor and the bottom of the wall and squeeze the trigger slowly. Move the caulk gun evenly along the crevice to apply a bead of caulk.

What should I use for bathroom subfloor?

Pressure treated 3/4″ plywood subfloor is the best subfloor material for bathrooms. Pressure treated plywood is water resistant and will withstand the humid, damp bathroom environment much better than untreated plywood or OSB.

Should I seal my bathroom subfloor?

Every type of bathroom floor, including linoleum and other moisture-resistant materials, should be completely sealed around the edges where it meets the wall, bathtub, toilet, vanity and any other permanent fixtures.

Is underlayment plywood waterproof?

Underlayments help to provide extra support to the actual floor. While there are different types of subfloors, the most common type is made from plywood. This is because it is straight, flat and relatively strong. It is also cheap and while it is not waterproof, it can resist sharp changes in humidity.

Do I need moisture barrier on wood subfloor?



Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?” The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.

How thick should a bathroom subfloor be?

Make Sure Your Subfloor is Structurally Stable



The installation guide for 1/4 inch HardieBacker recommends having wood subfloors made of 5/8 inch exterior grade plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) that is 23/32 inches thick.