Why does the GC think tile is a bad idea? I like tile, I don't care what spills. On the other hand, I don't buy any breakable bottles, jars, or vanity accessories. I tend to drop things.

Bpath, I don't know why. We didn't really discuss it since he was working on something else at the time. This is an old house that really wasn't built right. The upstairs is above a garage so he might be worried about the weight of the tile.

SJ, that is what I am assuming. What is the difference between sheet vinyl and sheet linoleum?

Why cork tiles? Is it easy to damage them? Maybe it is not the same kind of cork that I am thinking about?

What about laminated planks? I doubt they would do well in a bathroom because of the moisture.

Maybe they put carpet upstairs because it was easier.

So many nice light weight vinyls. They look like stone, wood etc.

Carpet is horrible for a bathroom. Unless you are okay with replacing often it always has high traffic dirt areas.

"....above a garage." Says it all. I would guess the structure isn't ready for something heavy like tile or stone or concrete. The effort to get those products in there = 1-2 inch FLOOR RAISE to get the stiffness + the stone on top. That is a BIG toe stubber.

Vinyl = man made PVC (polyvinyl chloride). All man made from the 40's (ish)

Lino = natural products going on 150 years (linseed oil, cork, jute, wood dust, etc)

Cork flooring is VASTLY different from crumbly cork boards (used at a desk to hold things to the wall). Cork glue down tiles are 4mm - 12mm thick and can last 100 years or more. In fact there are Cathedrals and churches in Portugal and Spain that have their cork floors for more than 100 years.

The US Library of Congress received their cork flooring in the 1890's (just before they reopened at their 2nd/current location). It's still there.

And cork is water proof. That's why the wine industry uses cork....because it keeps the liquid in the bottle. The bottles of Champagne found on the Titanic (yep...the stuff brought up to the surface once it had been found) were still 'sweet'. Which is to say NO salt water had entered the bottles despite the crushing depths.

I live two hours from a large city, so the only place available to me for flooring purchases is either a carpet store or Lowe's. Lowe's is still open, but carpet stores are not. I guess the floor will be whatever I can find at my local Lowe's. I will see if I can order linoleum or cork from their website. Thanks to all.

On line cork orders are the specialty of www.icorkfloor.com

They have glue down tiles (bathroom and kitchen flooring) that have samples available. Everything is done over the internet or over the phone. It's their business model.

Thank you! It is tough not being able to see things in person. I can't find a 36" x 48" solid surface shower base that has a dual threshold in person. No way am I spending that much money sight unseen.