A luxury bathroom in our climate nowadays usually means having a fitted carpet, but carpets are of course affected by water. lf a bathroom that gets heavy family use with splashing is to be carpeted, care must be taken in the choice of carpet material. Synthetic fibres – such as nylon or acrylic – do not absorb moisture as do natural fibres. Thus a carpet with a synthetic pile and natural backing will allow the moisture to run through to the backing where it cannot easily evaporate, and so the carpet will eventually deteriorate and rot. ‘l`he backing, as well as the pile, should, therefore, be synthetic. Some acrylic fibres tend to matt down, or felt, when wet and are less suitable than others. bathroom carpet Rubber backed carpets are particularly suitable as they prevent moisture from reaching the floor and being trapped between it and the carpet. Rubber backed carpet tiles are a possibility and can be moved around. Those where the joints are not emphasised are better in small areas such as bathrooms – particularly as the floor space may have odd shapes cut out of it in the form of WC pan and bidet, pedestal basin, etc.
Natural fibres, such as wool, are better used where a bathroom is likely to have careful adult users and where there is central heating. Choice of colour and pattern is a matter of interior decoration, but generally lighter colours are preferable in small areas and these do not show up talc, lint, etc, as do dark colours. Where a bathroom is to be carpeted and is en suite with a bedroom, the carpet in each room should be the same. Ceilings ln existing houses the ceiling will probably be plasterboard or plaster on the lathe. As far as bathrooms are concerned, there are a number of alternative ceiling materials that are suitable, as well as a considerable choice of finishes. Varnished or stained timber boarding lasts extremely well in bathroom conditions. In bath- rooms with condensation problems polystyrene tiles should be considered. This material has a warm surface that copes well with moisture and remains clean and fresh-looking for a surprisingly long time. They can be obtained from do-it-yourself shops and fixed with special adhesive. An alternative would be to use acoustic tiles, possibly to provide a false ceiling in which lights and ventilation can be recessed, but it is important to check that the tiles are intended for use in damp or steamy places. Plastered ceilings require decoration and any good quality paint should prove satisfactory. Anti-condensation paints are available with a gritty texture, but usually, there is a poor choice of bathroom carpets colours.