For a bathroom subfloor, the best materials are 34 𝟑𝟒-inch exterior-grade (Exposure 1) plywood or marine-grade plywood. They handle moisture and humidity much better than standard OSB. Always top the subfloor with a waterproof cement or fiber-cement backer board (like HardieBacker Backer Board) before laying tile.
The absolute best subfloor for a bathroom is 3/4-inch exterior or marine-grade plywood, or a specialty Magnesium Oxide (MGO) board. Unlike standard materials, these resist rotting, delaminating, and swelling when exposed to inevitable bathroom moisture. Always top your wooden subfloor with a cement backer board if you are installing tile.
Hard floors in homes, such as tile or hardwood, can further exacerbate the issue. These surfaces provide no shock absorption, forcing your feet to bear the full brunt of your body weight with each step. Walking barefoot on such floors can result in small tears to the plantar fascia, worsening your symptoms over time.
Protecting a bathroom floor from urine comes down to blocking the liquid at the source, adding an absorbent or protective floor barrier, and properly sealing porous surfaces like tile grout.
Better Adhesion
Plywood is porous, and not designed for use with most of today's latex-based thinset mortars. Cement backerboard is designed specifically for this use. You get a smoother application, and better adhesion so your tile job is less likely to fail when the backerboard is made of cement.
You can tile directly onto plywood, but only if it is a rigid, two-layer subfloor system (at least 1 1/4 inches thick total) and you install a tile-approved decoupling membrane or use specialized modified thinset. Plywood naturally expands and contracts; without a membrane, tiles are likely to crack.
Cement board is substrate made of cement and fiber. It comes in ¼” to ½” thickness and it is used as an underlayment for wall tile. Floor istallation requires that the total thickness of the substrate must be minimum of 1¼ “ prior to setting tile as per the TCNA / Tile Council of North America.
To eliminate urine smell in your bathroom, target the source: uric acid crystals hiding in porous grout, floor seams, and toilet hinges. Clean these areas thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
The best urine-proof flooring options are 100% waterproof, non-porous, and seam-free. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), Sheet Vinyl, and Tile with Epoxy Grout are the top choices. These materials prevent liquids from seeping into the subfloor, resist permanent staining, and make cleanup effortless using enzyme-based cleaners.
Without a waterproofing layer beneath your tile & flooring, that moisture can seep through to the subfloor and framework of your home. Over time, this can lead to mold growth, structural rot, warped materials, and costly repairs. Worse yet, the damage may go unnoticed until it becomes severe.
Healthiest Flooring Types Compared
Research shows that vitamin deficiencies could be the problem! More specifically, B-and-D vitamin deficiencies can leave you with painful foot symptoms.
There is no single "cure" for plantar fasciitis, but people typically find permanent relief by combining supportive footwear, targeted stretching, and avoiding walking barefoot.
In 2026, bathroom flooring trends prioritize a blend of organic warmth and dramatic, personalized style, with popular choices including travertine, limestone, large-format porcelain tiles, and intricate patterned tiles. Top trends for the year include herringbone patterns, "tile drenching" (running the same tile on floor and wall), and high-contrast, artistic patterns that turn floors into a focal point.
Yes, you can tile directly on drywall, but only in dry areas (like kitchen backsplashes or decorative accent walls). You should never tile directly on drywall in wet areas like showers, tubs, or steam rooms, where cement backer board or waterproof membranes are required.
In places like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements, the right underlayment provides a waterproof barrier. It stops moisture from getting to the wood subfloor, preventing rot, mold, and serious structural damage down the road.
100% waterproof flooring—typically made of Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), SPC (Stone Polymer Composite), or waterproof laminate—is highly stain-resistant, pet-proof, and safe for moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Prices generally range from $1.50 to $7.00+ per square foot depending on the wear layer and underlayment.
In 2026, flooring trends revolve around warmth and natural textures, with cool, flat grays officially on their way out. The most popular colors include:
Tile flooring is easy to clean, waterproof and stain- and scratch resistant. Vinyl flooring mimics the look of wood and stone. It's waterproof, easy to clean and install, but it can be damaged by repeated scratches. Hardwood flooring is a classic choice that can add to the resale of your home.
Nursing homes use enzymatic cleaners, professional-grade oxidizing agents, and high-efficiency air purifiers to permanently destroy urine odors rather than just masking them.
Clean your toilet with vinegar: Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and disinfectant that can help neutralise the acidity in urine, leaving your toilet smelling fresh and clean. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar, scrub your toilet bowl, and let it sit for a few minutes before flushing.
If your toilet smells like urine despite being clean, it is likely that uric acid crystals have seeped into hidden, porous areas where standard cleaners cannot reach. This trapped urine feeds bacteria, which release lingering ammonia odors.
To secure the boards in place they will need to be screwed down. The screws will need to go all the way through your cement board, all the way through your floorboard, and catch onto your joists. We use 50mm screws to do this.
Both Durock and HardieBacker are high-quality tile backer boards designed to prevent moisture damage and provide a solid foundation for tile. Choose Durock for ultimate moisture resistance and wet areas, or HardieBacker for easier cutting, less mess, and a stiffer board that yields flatter walls.
You cannot tile directly over OSB (Oriented Strand Board) with traditional thinset, as the wood absorbs moisture and expands, causing tiles and grout to crack. To tile over OSB, you must install an intervening layer—either a cement backer board or an uncoupling membrane—to isolate the wood from the rigid tile.