Flooring is one of the most important decisions you have to make when it comes to decorating your home. Flooring materials are an integral part of your interior design, and your choice of material also determines the difficulty of installation, how you can use your floor, and the kind of maintenance you’ll need to perform. Different types of flooring materials have its unique qualities, functions, benefits and disadvantages. There are many types of flooring according to their uses, required level of finishing and economy.
Hardwood/Engineered Wood
Hardwood floors mostly come in solid planks but can also be in smaller pieces like parquet. Engineered wood, on the other hand, is manufactured high-quality plywood topped with a thin layer of veneer hardwood.
Most can attest that hardwood flooring can last for decades—especially with proper maintenance like keeping it dry and sanding once every few years. Its timeless aesthetic and recyclability make it more valuable than most flooring finishes.
Concrete
With the popularity of modern industrial style interiors, concrete or cement flooring has become a go-to option when it comes to finalizing the floor finish in a space.
Concrete finishes tend to be cost-effective, especially since no other additional floor finish will be added to the cost. It is durable and can withstand hard traffic.
Laminates
The composition of laminated flooring consists of a clear coat with a photographic appliqué with melamine resin and fiberboard core. It often simulates wood and also comes in various sizes and shapes.
Laminates come in a variety of finishes. With HD printing and photography techniques nowadays, it almost looks like the real thing. It is budget-friendly, easy to install, and remove.
Often used in bedrooms, dining, and living areas, it is easy to maintain and relatively durable. Laminates are scratch- and stain- resistant because of its wear layers as well.
Most of the interior of our apartment area is covered with high end laminated finish with different coloring which is best suited to the function of the room. The living room and some rooms are finished with a wood looking laminate, the kitchen, the hallway are finished with white color which contrasts very well with surrounding color.
Resilient Flooring
Carpets are textile floor coverings which provide warmth and comfort. It is a good acoustic insulator—making it a popular floor finish for home theaters. However, once stained, it can be difficult to remove these and it can harbor dust mites and other insects because of the pile.
Linoleum is made from natural materials, mainly of linseed oil. It is easy to install and easy to clean. However, it can be prone to discoloration when exposed to extreme sunlight. It is recommended for indoor use.
Vinyl is often used in sheets and comes in various finishes and patterns. It is highly durable and can last for almost 15 years if well-maintained. It’s important to note that vinyl is also prone to dents and tears if not installed properly.
Natural Stone
Natural stone flooring refers to mountain born materials like marble, granite, or slate. Since they come from the earth, each tile that you get is unique when it comes to streaks, color, and composition.
Going for this kind of floor finish gives you longevity, durability, and beauty overtime. These are best for high traffic areas and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
It’s also ideal for warm climates since stone tends to gain heat slowly.
Ceramic Tiles
Known to be one of the most popular finishes, ceramic tiles are used most especially in (but not limited to) kitchen and bathroom floors. Ceramic tiles are made from sand and other natural materials and it can come in glazed and unglazed qualities. These pieces are often installed using tile grout applied in between the gaps of the tiles.
Aside from being very affordable, ceramic tiles can cover a wide range of faux finishes, even those mimicking wood grains. It is durable and easy to clean, even recommended for spaces that require high standard of hygiene.
Marble Flooring
Marble is a natural stone, and when properly finished it can be transformed into beautiful flooring. Marble flooring is one of the most luxurious and sophisticated floorings to install in a home.
Metropolitan real estate PLC, is an American company, building quality homes in Ethiopia to fulfill the needs of luxury real estate for sale and rent in Addis Ababa and all of Ethiopia as well
