Idea 4: There are types of hardwood floors that can work in a bathroom!
When remodeling or building a bathroom, most people do not choose hardwood flooring- after all, most of us have heard that wood and moisture do not mix. Bathrooms are very humid, plus the inevitable splashes and spills that happen there can cause wood planks to warp, and encourage the growth of dangerous bacteria and mold. Despite those issues, new finishes have made hardwood flooring a viable and attractive option for the bathroom.
To begin with, you need to choose the correct wood. You should pick a harder, rather than a softer wood, because soft woods absorb moisture more readily. Good hardwood flooring for the bathroom is made of maple, ash, oak, walnut, cherry or hickory. Wood floors with a polyurethane finish will stand up to the wet conditions in a bathroom; the synthetic resins form a film that stays intact even as the wood contracts and expands.
Even if your wood is finished with polyurethane, if it's in the bathroom, there are some precautions you need to take. If there is a spill, it needs to be cleaned up almost immediately. Toilet or tub leaks should be fixed right away; this holds true for all flooring types but it is especially relevant for wood floors.
If you insist upon hardwood floors for your bathroom, there are some minor additions that will make them easier to maintain. Placing rubber-backed mats around the toilet and tub or shower will help to absorb moisture. Or, you could install ceramic or stone in the "wet" areas and hardwood everywhere else. This will provide you with water resistance where it's needed, and the look of hardwood where it's not.
Hardwood flooring offers unmatched style and warmth for any space; on cold mornings, it's physically warm- unlike ceramic tiles which often remain cold to the touch. Their versatility has made them a popular choice for every area of the home, and high-tech finishes have brought them into the bathroom as well.