Poll: hardwood in a "sink room" ?

[Julie]

Howdy,

I've put in engineered hardwood downstairs in my condo - kitchen and entry hall - and I like it a lot. Carpet elsewhere.

My (upstairs) bathroom is actually two smaller rooms in series - a "sink room" and a toilet/tub room, with a normal door in between them. I'd originally thought I would tile the whole thing, but a friend brought up the idea of using the hardwood in the "sink room".

Minuses: water (duh). However, the "sink room" doesn't get that wet - certainly no more than the kitchen.

Plusses: continuity of material/decor in the condo. Low commitment factor - if I eventually decide I don't like it, or if it just gets too wet, it's gone in a half hour, and I could use the same tile as in the tub/toilet room, at that point (assuming I am smart enough to get enough tile when I buy it in the first place).

Other thoughts? Anyone used hardwood in a bathroom, and lived to tell?

Thanks, JSH

[Art]

We have a half bath with hardwood and no problem in 7 years. Of course a leak will kill it but could kill subfloor under tile too.

[Sporkman]

Hardwood itself is not necessarily a problem, but the finish could create problems. If you use a polyurethane varnish that is good for "water cleanup" you could be asking for trouble. A drop of water that remains for a while can create a whitish spot on the varnish that either won't go away at all or will go away only slowly or with reapplication of varnish. Use oil based products exclusively.

'Sporky'

[Art]

The prefinished hardwood survives water drops and splashes in my half bath and kitchen.