Cork can actually hold up pretty well if you're careful about it, but honestly, in a humid bathroom, I'd lean towards rubber myself. Had cork flooring in a small half-bath once, and it looked great at first—warm, comfortable underfoot—but ended up being a pain to maintain. I resealed it every year or so, but even then, moisture eventually found its way in. The edges started swelling a bit, and once that happens, there's no going back.
If you're set on cork though, here's what I'd recommend: check the sealant every 6 months initially. Just look for any spots where water might be pooling or soaking in instead of beading up. If you notice water absorbing into the cork instead of sitting on top, that's your cue to reseal ASAP. Usually, a good quality polyurethane sealant works best—two or three thin coats, let each one dry fully before applying the next. It's kind of tedious, but worth it if you're committed to the cork look.
Also, keep an eye out around the toilet base and near the shower or tub edges—those are your trouble spots. If you see any discoloration or darkening, that's probably mold starting to creep in. Catching it early saves you headaches.
Speaking of plumbing disasters, have you checked your bathroom ventilation lately? I learned the hard way that even the best flooring won't save you if your exhaust fan isn't pulling its weight. Upgrading mine made a huge difference—less humidity overall meant fewer flooring issues down the line.
Curious though, is anyone here using vinyl plank flooring in their bathrooms? I've heard mixed things—some say it's bulletproof against moisture, others complain about water seeping through seams over time. Would love some real-world feedback on that.
"Curious though, is anyone here using vinyl plank flooring in their bathrooms? I've heard mixed things—some say it's bulletproof against moisture, others complain about water seeping through seams over time."
Vinyl plank has been pretty solid for me. Installed it about three years ago after a toilet overflow disaster (ugh, nightmare memories...). Honestly, it's held up great—no swelling or mold issues yet. Just make sure you get the click-lock type and seal the edges carefully around fixtures. Cork looks nice, but after my experience, I'm sticking with vinyl for bathrooms.
Vinyl plank worked pretty well for me too, but one thing I noticed is that if you don't wipe up water spills quickly, the seams can start lifting a bit. Not a huge deal, but still kinda annoying. Has anyone tried using silicone or something similar to seal the seams better? Wondering if that's worth the hassle or just overkill...
I once had a client who went silicone-crazy on their vinyl plank seams after a similar toilet fiasco... ended up looking like a DIY caulking nightmare, lol. Maybe there's a better sealant that's less messy? Curious if anyone's found something more subtle.
I've been there—silicone can quickly turn into a sticky mess if you're not careful. When I had a similar issue, I found that clear acrylic latex caulk worked pretty well. It's easier to apply neatly, cleans up with water, and dries clear so it's less noticeable. Just make sure you smooth it out with a damp finger or sponge right after applying... otherwise, you'll end up with another DIY disaster on your hands, haha. Good luck!
