Best Flooring Materials for Homes – Have You Been Floored Yet?

The beauty of a house is largely decided by the kind of flooring that it has. Unlike the walls that can be conveniently re-painted and redone, the flooring is a more long term feature and most often, it is permanent. Three major factors that determine what type of floor would suit your home the best – first, the location of your house, second, the usage pattern and third, your budget. If you are living in a humid area, wooden flooring may not be the best plan. For rough and tough use, hard substances such as granite are the best option. Budget, of course, is important for obvious reasons. Here some of the best, most widely used floor materials in home design.

Vitrified Tiles

These are glazed tiles made by heating a certain type of clay at a specific temperature. The good thing about these tiles is that they are joint free, which means that there are no gaps between adjacent tiles. They are larger in size and are a lot sturdier than ordinary tiles. The disadvantages of this material are high susceptibility to scratches and slipperiness. So, it is not a good option if people with joint problems live in the house. However, according to contrary belief, they do not hold stains and can be cleaned by acid wash.

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic is basically a mixture of marble, white cement and marble powder. These tiles are available in great colors and designs and are very visually appealing. However, powdering and fading remains a common complaint with mosaic. Also, the use of low quality marble powder may result in less durability. The best way to keep your mosaic floor long lasting is by polishing it regularly.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are more versatile because they have different finishes like satin finish, antique finish, mat finish or glossy finish. The cost depends on the type that you choose. These tiles are very stylish and are super easy to maintain. The great grip that they provide makes them suitable for interiors and exteriors. The only problem with ceramic tiles, if glazed, is the fact that the glaze fades away with time.

Wooden Flooring

Wooden flooring is perhaps the most elegant types of flooring you can get in the market. It is always good to use 100 percent solid wood for durability. There are over fifteen different types of wood that you can choose from. The problems that may arise with wooden flooring are depletion in quality due to oxygenation and dampening, and of course, exuberant costs. If you are looking for a low cost, low maintenance alternative, you could always choose wood lamination on your existing floor.

Marble/Granite Flooring

The best thing about marble and granite is that they are both 100 percent natural and as a result, more durable. They are both available in tiles and slabs that can be easily laid. They can be maintained easily with regular polishing. The disadvantage with marble is that it tends to hold moisture. One should also be very careful while purchasing marble and check for cracks and damages to the slab. With granite, you have a huge natural colors range. Granite requires almost no maintenance.

There are many interior design websites that you can refer to, to learn more on the latest trends in flooring.