From functionality to furnishing tips: Ulrich Tendyra from the objectflor application technology team explains in an interview why there is nothing better than vinyl flooring in the bathroom. Another focus is on proper sealing and what you need to know about the DIN standard that came into force in 2017.
''For me, there is no better way to transform the bathroom into a place of relaxation. A 'home spa', if you will. Wood just looks great in the bathroom and is functional. They can also handle kids' water fights.''
So vinyl floors are 'better' than other floor coverings, in your opinion?
''A resounding yes. Ceramic tiles now come in wood-look too, but it is a hard flooring that is cold to the feet. And for me, cold feet do not belong to a feel-good atmosphere. Designer coverings are elastic floor coverings. They are pleasantly warm underfoot and are easier to stand and walk on than hard floors. I would never put original wood in my bathroom. Wooden floors and moisture: in many cases they do not go together. Designer floors are made of modern vinyl and are therefore particularly robust, even against moisture.''
Should special care be taken when choosing a designer floor?
''In any case! You have to like it! Just for fun, you can also use all decors from objectflor's EXPONA LIVING and EXPONA DOMESTIC collections to decorate bathrooms. Whether classic and elegant, expressive grained or light wood tones in Scandinavian design. It's best to be inspired by the room itself: small and dark rooms, for example, are enhanced and visually enlarged by bright designs. Of course, you can also opt for stone and concrete decors. That can look great.''
And when it comes to sealing and laying?
''This is an important issue. Since 2017, there are standards that not every planner and floor-layer follows. When laying floor coverings in wet areas, building and structural requirements must be observed. This is independent of the floor covering and applies to both vinyl flooring and ceramic tiles.''
Can you elaborate on this?
''Planners, plumbers and floor-layers are jointly responsible for sustainable sealing. The DIN 18534-1 sealing of indoor areas specifies exactly how the substrate should be prepared. Different water effect classes must be taken into account. This is actually quite logical: the requirements for a wall behind a washbasin and the requirements for a ground-level shower, where the floor covering is particularly exposed to water, obviously differ. With the right sealing, ground-floor showers with designer coverings can also be realised. A very nice solution!''
What does a builder need to know?
''It is not enough to simply lay a floor covering in the bathroom with a waterproof adhesive system, make a silicone joint on the rising parts and hope it works. You must know that waterproofing must always be present. No one should take unnecessary risks here. Damage can occur that costs much more money than a DIN-compliant seal. DIN 18534-1 gives precise specifications on what such a seal should look like. It is important to talk to your tradesmen and planners about this. As a builder, you have the right to have floors installed according to the current state of the art.''
Can you stick designer floors on an existing tile floor in the bathroom ? Without sealing?
''Only if you are sure there is a functioning seal underneath. You shouldn't rely on it blindly. I am not going too far when I say that sealing in old buildings probably rarely meets today's requirements. But on a solid substrate, modern sealing and design floors can be laid with little effort and a low laying height. The big pluses remain: it is a quick renovation without prying old tiles loose. This is a huge advantage that only designer floors offer.''
More information:
objectflor
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www.objecflor.de