Ahmedabad
They say first impression is the last impression. Whenever any guest comes over and removes their shoes before entering the house, the first to catch their sight is its flooring. So, the flooring of the house is as important as picking the right shade of paint or upholstery. The type of the floor can be picked by the ultimate demand and vision of the owner. The floors bear the maximum brunt on day-to-day basis and thus, it is important to pick the flooring of the house considering its functionality, durability, maintenance, style and budget. There are plenty of options to choose from ranging from marble flooring to tiles, vinyl, hardwood, granite, bamboo, carpet, solid or brick and so on.
More than going mad after the trend and picking the flooring material that your neighbour got done or your friend just got imported from Dubai or Italy, see the long-term factors like its maintenance, durability and keep it in accordance to the rest of the house decor. Here are str engths and weaknesses of the widely-used flooring styles, choose the one that is right for you.
Tile flooring
Easy to install, wipe and maintain, this one outshines the world of flooring. Also, there are plenty of varieties of tiles ranging from vitrified to porcelain, ceramic, etc. There is a wide variety in colour, size and design as well. They are easily available in the market and are affordable. Oh no! Not all tiles are equally wear-resistant. High-traffic areas like kitchens call for stronger ceramic.
Vinyl flooring
It is one of the cheapest and best options, and also its versatility is eye catching. It is strain-resistant and water-resistant and hence durable. Care has to be taken to keep the floor away from coming in contact with sharp materials. Oh no! When it comes in contact with rubber, the colour of the carpet gets vulnerable to getting faded.
Linoleum flooring
Linoleum is an eco-friendly flooring material produced from raw materials like linseed oil, cork, dust and resin. The plethora of variety available in the market and the price at which it is sold makes it popular among Indian buyers.
Laminate flooring
The widely used and one of the most popular flooring materials is laminate. This one is averse to stains and water mostly, unless in extreme cases and comes with a superior ease of installation. While shopping for laminate flooring, make sure you ask for the `slip-resistant' kind.
Garima Malvanker, Times Property, The Times of India, Ahmedabad
