In one of our earlier posts we have seen the different factors to consider while flooring your house. We saw the various parameters to keep in mind while choosing flooring materials, how to choose the size and patterns of the tiles and how much to pay for each type. We had also briefly touched upon the materials that could be used for flooring. In this post, we will have a look at 14 different flooring materials for your home.
Wooden flooring
Wood is one of the most aesthetically appealing options available for flooring. Wooden flooring materials come in various styles, shapes and colours. It is extremely strong, durable and elegant. However wooden flooring is one of the more expensive options of flooring materials.
There are different types of wooden flooring, the first is the hardwood flooring which uses solid wooden planks milled from a single piece of timber. It is a great option for high traffic areas where the is limited moisture.
Another option is to use Engineered Wood. Engineered wood is made by joining a thin layer of more expensive wood to a core made of a less expensive material. Engineered wood is very popular in Europe and NA
Bamboo flooring is another type of wooden flooring, where the planks are made of bamboo grass instead of hardwood.
Wooden floor planks can be stained, varnished or used as is. Avoid using wooden flooring in areas prone to wetness like bathrooms and kitchens.
Stone Flooring
Stone flooring is a practical and luxurious option that adds beauty to your home. The commonly used stone flooring options are
Granite – Granite is one of the most widely used materials for flooring because of its stylish versatility and beauty. It is one of the hardest natural stones on earth in terms of durability. This makes granite highly resistant to scratches and stains and therefore a popular choice for flooring and counter tops.
Granite comes in various colours like black, red, white, brown and beige.
Marble is another natural stone flooring known for its classy look. Marble also comes in different colours, but white marble is the most popular.
Slate is another natural stone flooring material. Like granite, slate is also durable and stain resistant. However, it is much harder, more expensive and requires more maintenance than granite. It has a modern and rustic look and feel and is a good option for high traffic areas. It also enhances the beauty of your entryways, kitchen and bathrooms.
Traditional & Rustic
If you are looking for a rustic look and old-world charm in your house, then terracotta tiles would be a good option for you. Moreover, terracotta tiles are eco-friendly too. Terracotta tiles are made of clay, compressed into the desired shapes and then dried in a kiln. They are suitable both for indoors and outdoors and can last a lifetime if properly maintained.
Athangudi tiles – are yet another eco-friendly option that will provide a rustic look to your rooms. They are handcrafted, bright and colourful and made of locally available materials. Custom made patterns can also be done in Athangudi tiles. In addition to flooring, Athangudi tiles can be used for kitchen backsplashes, skirting and staircase risers.
Red Oxide – This is a traditional flooring technique done in many parts of India. Here, oxide colours are mixed in varying proportions to the flooring materials. Oxide flooring can be done in several colours and shades, but red remains the most popular. It is done as a single piece with no joints in between, like the floor tiles. They shine with age. Oxide flooring is much cheaper than all the other flooring options discussed here and is environment friendly.
Cement tiles – come with bright colours and traditional motifs and can easily create a style statement in your house. They are slip proof and highly durable and are available in several patterns. Like Athangudi tiles, the cement tiles are also handcrafted. They can also be used for kitchen backsplashes. However it is better to avoid cement tiles for kitchen countertops, as they are highly porous and therefor prone to staining.
Conventional floor tiles
Ceramic tiles – They are made by mixing natural clay and minerals with water, chemical pigments and colouring agents and moulding them into desired shapes. They are very cost-effective and are available in glazed, matte and semi-matte finishes.
Vitrified tiles are yet another option mostly in demand because of their strength, low maintenance and stain resistance.
When buying tiles, make it a point to keep one or two boxes of the original lot of tiles in stock after installation of the flooring so that in the future, if there is any damage, the tiles can be easily replaced.
Other Options
Mosaic is a flooring option that has been in vogue for several thousand years. Any material like ceramic, porcelain, glass or stone can be arranged in a mosaic pattern. Combination of materials, for example porcelain and glass can also be used to enhance the style of the mosaic pattern.
Terrazzo is a beautiful material that gives a luxurious look to your walls and floors. It consists of chips of marble, granite, glass etc laid out in a desired pattern and bound together with concrete. It is highly customizable and suitable for indoor and outdoor uses alike.