Can I Use Groutable Vinyl Tile in a Bathroom?

Floors

• Groutable vinyl tile is durable like hard ceramic or porcelain tile when it's installed as flooring in a bathroom area. Grout is the cement mixture applied to the cracks between tiles to secure them from shifting. Grout is necessary to bathroom tile installation to prevent moisture, mildew, mold and eventual subfloor damage. Install groutable vinyl tile if you prefer the softer texture of vinyl or you don't want the added weight of hard tile pressing on your subfloor. Groutable vinyl installation is faster than hard tile installation because it doesn't require mortar, which takes additional time to solidify and dry.

Backsplash

• Choose groutable vinyl tile for a functional backsplash that complements your bathroom design. Install vinyl tile behind the bathroom sink to prevent water overspray from staining or damaging your drywall. Select a groutable vinyl tile that coordinates with your bathroom motif, or choose a neutral-colored vinyl tile in white, off-white, eggshell or beige to match most any decor. The grout lines between the tiles protect your walls from humidity and add visual interest to your bathroom space.

Wainscoting

• If you want to use groutable vinyl tile as an eye-appealing material in your bathroom, install it as wainscoting. Wainscoting is the application of wood, tile or acrylic to the bottom 3 to 4 feet of your wall space. Wainscoting is primarily decorative; it does protect the bottom section of your bathroom drywall from water splashes and dirt. Choose from a variety of groutable vinyl tile colors and patterns to coordinate with your bathroom style, and opt for a cement grout color that emphasizes the checkerboard pattern of your wainscoting.

Bathtub and Shower

• Avoid installing groutable vinyl tile in bathtub and shower areas. Vinyl can withstand some humidity that evaporates quickly, but it is not recommended for areas that are exposed to regular heavy water use. Hard ceramic and porcelain tile are constructed from non-porous clay materials that are sealed with synthetic overlays and waterproofing chemical treatments. Groutable vinyl tile is not suitable for wet environments like bathtubs and showers.