Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   proftournesol
   Member

   We are building a new home that will have 2 bathrooms. We are thinking about a rubber like floor surface as we also want to minimise cleaning (no tile cracks or grout) and don't want cold floors in winter. We are going to have a deep screenless shower receptacle and could buy an enamelled pressed metal shower floor but are there any other alternative surfaces?

   Posted Wednesday 2 Oct 2013 @ 10:45:49 am from IP #
2. 

   John Sheridan
   Member

   How about cork ?

   I think all bathroom flooring is cold, unless you put in under floor heating, or you could go with carpet !!! :0

   Posted Wednesday 2 Oct 2013 @ 5:46:55 pm from IP #
3. 

   dave lawrence
   Member

   marmoleum for floors outside shower, stainless steel for shower tray.

   Posted Wednesday 2 Oct 2013 @ 7:02:20 pm from IP #
4. 

   dlvb19
   Member

   Can use timber to build a deck, or, an elevated timber platform. So long as timber is properly protected and slab/subfloor is properly waterproofed.
   You really need a waste (a drain) in the floor for this to work.
   I have seen a few of these, they look very good.

   Posted Thursday 3 Oct 2013 @ 7:15:59 am from IP #
5. 

   dave lawrence
   Member

   timber floors are possible as long as you get your fall to the floor waste organised .

   Posted Thursday 3 Oct 2013 @ 9:34:27 am from IP #
6. 

   proftournesol
   Member

   marmoleum or timber are great suggestions, thanks. I'll look into both.

   Posted Friday 4 Oct 2013 @ 11:49:01 am from IP #
7. 

   axess
   Member

   poftournesol,a couple of things to consider.
   1.Whatever the cladding you select for your shower the area will have to be waterproofed to the BCA requirements to protect the integrity of the wall floor materials. An extra floor waste is a great idea.
   2. It's a great opportunity at this stage to build accessibility into at least one of the bathrooms now for wheelchair/walking frame/commode chair access. I.E. adequately sized doorway (min 800mm clear), level entry shower and a minimumum shower space of 900 x 1200 if possible.
   Non-slip marmoleum is a great idea (if it exists) as it can be coved up the wall.
   Good luck

   Posted Monday 7 Oct 2013 @ 12:07:51 am from IP #
8. 

   Phil A
   Member

   JS,
   Cork makes a lot of sense. No one got any comments?
   It is renewable, and often blended with recycled rubber. It is comfortable to walk on has good insulation values etc.
   Has anyone got and negatives on it?

   Posted Monday 7 Oct 2013 @ 1:34:11 am from IP #
9. 

   axess
   Member

   Phil A,
   Is cork available in sheet form? Adhesives might be an issue in the bathroom with significant exposure to moisture. A lot of cork appears to be in the form of tiles (often in kitchens) where a fairly strong sealant is applied to maintain the continuity of the surface. That sealant requirement also contributes to slipperiness, something that's not a good idea in a bathroom. Bathrooms also have to be cleaned and even the most innocuous cleaning agents have an effect on surfaces over time. Would unsealed cork simply wear out too quickly when scrubbed often enough?

   Posted Monday 7 Oct 2013 @ 2:56:54 am from IP #

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