ᐅ Vinyl flooring in a walk-in (curbless) shower

We will not have different levels.
It will be a 127 sqm (1370 sq ft) three-room bungalow in a T shape.
I myself have concerns, and I hope the flooring installer will also say no.
But I want to show good faith and at least be well informed.

My nickname is derived from my birth name. I have been using it for ages. But yes, it’s a funny coincidence.

We researched different types of flooring and also considered our own experiences. We summarized all the points that matter to us and concluded that vinyl is simply the best compromise for the rest of the house.

Stone82 schrieb:

All the important points for us, summarized overall, with the conclusion that vinyl is simply the best compromise for the rest of the house.

I would be interested in those points. For me, vinyl would always be the worst choice (except laminate), basically comparable to carpet. Hence my question.

nordanney schrieb:

I’m curious about those points. For me, vinyl would always be the worst choice (okay, except for laminate), basically equivalent to carpet. Hence the question.

Sure.
Important to note these are personal points and experiences.
Price range up to 60€ per m² (about $64 per sq yd).

We are a household with four pets: three cats and a Bernese mountain dog mix.
That means a lot of hair and rather more dirt, so daily cleaning is necessary.
The cats chase each other and rarely make the turn without using their claws.

Experience and notes on hardwood flooring:
Sunlight changes the wood color much more noticeably than laminate or vinyl. At the price range up to 60€ per m², the material and locking system are not as good, so the surface is more sensitive and doesn’t handle water or moisture well.
This is the experience we had and was also confirmed by the professional flooring store.

Laminate has similar issues, but the surface is more durable than hardwood flooring.

Vinyl in this price range has, comparatively, the highest quality. Visually, it comes surprisingly close to a hardwood floor, and the abrasion class is suitable for commercial areas with moderate use.

Vinyl is quite quiet even without extra impact sound insulation and works best of all options with underfloor heating and cooling systems. The only materials that perform better with underfloor heating and cooling are tiles, but tiles tend to feel colder in the room atmosphere.

These are our personal points and reasons.
Everyone can have different priorities and opinions, which are just as valid.

Stone82 schrieb:

Sure
These are important personal points and experiences.
Price range up to 60€/m² (about $64 per sq ft).

We are a household with 4 pets: 3 cats and 1 Bernese Mountain Dog mix.
That means a lot of hair and rather more dirt, so daily cleaning is necessary.
Cats that chase each other and can’t make the corner use their claws.

Experience and points about parquet:
Sunlight changes the wood color much more noticeably than laminate or vinyl. In the price range up to 60€/m², the material and locking system are not that good, making the surface more sensitive and less resistant to water and moisture.
This is the experience we had and also confirmed by the professional floor fitter’s shop.

Laminate has similar issues, except the surface is more durable than parquet.

Vinyl in this price range offers, comparatively, the highest quality. Visually, it surprisingly comes close to real parquet, and the abrasion class is suitable for commercial areas with moderate use.

Without additional impact sound insulation, vinyl is already quite quiet and works best in combination with underfloor heating and cooling. The only materials better in this regard for underfloor heating and cooling are tiles. But tiles always feel somewhat colder in the room atmosphere.

These are our personal points and reasons.
Everyone may have different priorities and opinions, which are also valid.

That argues in favor of tiles. I don’t find them cold either; I walk barefoot on them in summer, and we don’t even have underfloor heating. Whether the room feels cool or warm depends on the color.

Stone82 schrieb:

Cats that chase each other and can’t make the corners use their claws.

Vinyl is out when I look at suitable floors for homes with pets. Vinyl is too soft to withstand claws, and the same goes for soft hardwood flooring. All it takes is a scared animal with claws (in my case, a dog) running across, and the floor gets ruined.
Only tiles or genuinely harder laminate flooring would work, although I’m not sure if laminate won’t eventually show claw marks either.