When it comes to flooring, the first material that comes to our mind is definitely tiles. Most people choose tiles to install on their floor not only because they are good to look at, but they offer a wide range of additional benefits too. Once installed, tiles require minimal maintenance, they stay cool during summer, and last long too. They are safe for the environment, they are water-resistant, and are available in a wide variety of styles, textures and colours. Here, we will have a look at different types of flooring tiles used in residential and commercial spaces these days.
Marble
A highly strong and durable stone, the colour of the marble floor you choose depends on its component minerals. It is available in a variety of finishes, ranging from honed and polished to tumbled and brushed. Being a natural stone, marble adds immense aesthetic value and elegance to your house and enhances its value as well. Marble can be installed on the floor of any room in your house. However, this stone is expensive, and its installation and maintenance can be complicated and time-consuming as well. Since they have a high absorbency level, they absorb stains very easily, and usually become a bad choice for exteriors and landscapes.
Ceramic Tiles
These tiles are made from clay and are available in porcelain or non-porcelain forms. These tiles are pure and dense and have fewer pores than raw clay. Due to this, ceramic tiles become hard and resistant to moisture. They are durable and are best suited for areas with high usage. They are also economical and easy to install too. Even a homeowner with sufficient knowledge of tiling can install this flooring by himself without any professional help.
Wood
Many people are fascinated with the look of natural wood on their floor. Wood feels soft on the feet and gives an old-age cottage style look to the house. Wood is durable too and lasts for several years. However, wood is susceptible to damage due to moisture, and it may rot and mould easily. So, if you are living in a moisture-prone area, wood would not be the ideal choice for your flooring. However, if you still want to install wooden floor in your house, you can talk to an expert who can treat the wood in such a way that it becomes resistant to mould and moisture. You may also go for laminate that gives a protective coating to wood so that it lasts long and requires minimal maintenance.
Photo by TC Construction Services
Vinyl
Vinyl is another popular flooring option that is available in stone and wooden looks. It is designed specifically to resist moisture even in areas of high humidity. Although it can be installed in any room of your house, it is the best choice for kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and basements due to its high moisture-resistant property. Vinyl floor is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. It is waterproof, due to which it does not swell even when installed in moisture-prone areas. It is highly resistant to scratch as well, due to which many manufacturers offer lifetime warranty with them. Vinyl can be made to look like hardwood, rustic wood, natural stone, travertine, marble or other materials.
Carpet
Carpet floor consists of a layer affixed to a backing. The layer can be fibre or wood like polyester, polypropylene or nylon. You can go for almost any colour, style or texture with carpet. It is heat-treated to make it easy to clean and maintain. Carpet is also known to have insulating properties against sound as well as heat.
So, now that you know the different flooring types you can install in your home, choose the one that best suits your requirements and preferences, and get ready to show it off to your guests.