Floored!

Floored!

Flooring is perhaps one of the most important decisions that you will make for your home. Flooring needs not only to be attractive but it also needs to be functional. While choosing flooring the most critical feature today is ‘aesthetics’, besides price, usage, material and other such considerations. A wide spectrum of products, right from the framed natural marble to faux-finish vitrified, offers varied choice to consumers. Both conventional and unconventional designed flooring options exist. New material such as cork, bamboo and recycled tiles are also easily available. Understanding the importance of beautiful flooring and its significant role in home interiors we have compiled an assortment of flooring options for you to choose from. We have structured the flooring options by type so that it would be easier for you to choose the right kind of flooring most appropriate for the area under consideration.

Tiles

Tiles can be used on almost any type of flooring. Tiled floors are relatively inexpensive and durable. More so, these long-lasting pieces on the ground add creative value to the home.

Ceramic tile: The ultimate floor product that combines beauty with durability. The main advantage of ceramic tile is that it does not stain, mildew, burn or fade. Also, ceramics remain unaffected by moisture. Ceramic tiles can be used anywhere in the house. However, vitreous and impervious ceramic tiles are used outdoors or in bathrooms. Vitreous tiles have solidity of granite and marble yet retain the aesthetic appeal of ceramic.

Glazed Ceramic: This can be used in bathrooms, kitchen and any other room. The outer surface is glazed and gives shinning effect to the room. It also reflects light and creates an illusion of more space in the room.

Stone Tiles: These are suitable for use in rooms, especially kitchens and living rooms.

Brick Tiles: These are used in courtyards, garages, garden paths and passages.

Stones and Cement

Stone and cement flooring is a permanent, beautiful and economical flooring option, suited best for residential spaces. This type of flooring is very receptive to passive solar heating, as it holds and radiates heat long after the sun goes down. Cement tiles can be used in homes wherever solid flooring is required such as drawing room, bedroom, kitchen or lobby. Stone tiles are used for wet areas, especially where slip-resistance is a necessity such as bathroom or entrances.

Room Considerations Option

Living room: This area is a relaxing area for the family or a room to entertain visitors, easy to maintain flooring is preferred.

Option: Carpets or textured, laminated tiles, and hardwood or parquet.

Dining room Avoid choosing light-coloured flooring. Hypoallergic flooring is preferred.

Option: Tile, laminate, and wood.

Kitchen Flooring should be smooth, waterproof and non-slippery. Textured floors should not be used.

Option: Tile, laminate, and wood

Bathroom This room needs waterproof, washable, non-slip flooring. Light coloured and hypoallergic flooring are preferred.

Option: Laminated tiles and vinyl.

Bedroom Natural and soothing coloured flooring is preferred.

Option: Neutral shade tiles give the option of redecorating the room.

Maintenance tips

Do’s

· Sweep, dust mop or vacuum the floor.

· Be careful and protect wooden floors from soiling, abrasive wear, staining, abuse and moisture.

· Place mats and rugs at doorways to inhibit the tracking of grit, dirt and sand.

· If heavy wheeled equipment has to be moved across the wooden floor, wrap the wheel in white masking tape.

· Every monthly move the furniture carefully and use dust control mop to clean.

· Solid wood floors, depending on the traffic, would require waxing/sealing once or twice a year. Waxing/sealing would remove scratches on the floor.

· Buffing would bring the shine if you apply spray polish.

· Once a year or as required: pest control treatment should be done.

Don’ts

· Use rubber or latex backed mating or rugs as the plastic in the backing may discolor the finish and or the wood.

· Pull heavy furniture across the floor. Put fabric glides under the feet of the furniture works to avoid scuffling and scratching.

· Use any equipment that sits directly on the surface in one location for more than four hours.

· Wear high heels or rugged sports shoes which can dent the surface and damage the floor.

· Use tile floor cleaners, e.g. phenyl, on wooden floors.

· Clean your wooden floor with water.

· Use products such as soaps, detergents and oil soaps to clean the floor. As this can make your floor dull and damage it.

· Allow liquids to stand on your floor.

Source: Indian Real Estate (Vol. II)

indianrealestate@brixresearch.com

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