One of the things about picking out your home flooring is that it doesn’t just have to look good; it must be practical as well. With the large variety of flooring options and designs on the market today, it is possible for homeowners to pick out specific floorings to suit the functionality of the room, while at the same time ensuring that it fits in with the overall design scheme. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most commonly found flooring options as a handy reference for you.
Tiles
Picture credit: Sarah Sarna
Tiles can come in a variety of materials including granite, marble, porcelain, and finishes including matte or glazed. Today, we can also easily find tiles in any type of design, from contemporary to Peranakan to abstract, making them a great way to add some pattern and texture to your home.
Tiles are extremely durable and easy to clean, making them good choices for areas such as the kitchen, which experience more intensive usage. In addition, tiles are great for the bathroom as well, as they are highly water resistant. If there’s one thing we must point out, the grout lines of tiles can accumulate dirt over time and need to undergo regular maintenance. Tiles can also feel cold to the feet, but we say that’s not a big issue in sunny Singapore.
Hardwood
Picture credit: Design Library
Hardwood flooring come in a variety of materials such as timber, oak and walnut, and is one of the most beautiful and versatile flooring options around. Homeowners who are after the rustic look can oak for dark hardwood floorings; for those who are after a more Scandinavian look, lighter options like grey would be the perfect match for you.
With all its aesthetic beauty, the catch is that hardwood flooring comes at a corresponding price tag as well. Also, as it can scratch easily under high traffic, it is advisable to use them in areas such as your living room or bedroom so as to reduce the frequency of having to refinish and maintain the floor. Alternatively, you can also throw a large rug over it – not only does this help to protect the panels, it can also muffle some of the noises from walking on hardwood flooring.
Laminate
Picture credit: Design Mom
If you’re on a tight budget, laminate flooring might be an option that you may wish to consider. This flooring option is not made from wood, but certainly looks like the real deal. Unlike hardwood, it is scratch resistant and more durable, so homeowners with children or pets can feel reassured with this option. Laminate flooring can also be installed without the need to hack away old flooring, making it friendly on the pockets. The one downside is that laminate flooring does not react well to water, so do steer clear of it in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Vinyl
Picture credit: Victoria Plum
Vinyl flooring is another option that budget-conscious homeowners can consider, given how affordable and low maintenance it is. For those who are particular about joint-free flooring, you will be happy to know that vinyl flooring comes in sheets that can help you achieve this look. While vinyl flooring is definitely one of the most value-for-money options around, a large drawback is that of course, it is still nowhere as beautiful as the real flooring it seeks to emulate. It can also dent and tear easily.
Cork
Picture credit: Flickr
While lesser seen in Singapore, cork flooring is definitely something that families might wish to consider, as they are environmentally friendly, antimicrobial and resistant to mould – perfect for children. Other pros include being a good insulator that feels warm to the feet, and being noise-absorbent, making cork a perfect choice for your bedroom. As for the cons, do note that cork flooring may discolour over time as it is a natural material. Its soft and malleable nature also means that furniture pressing points might get ingrained in the flooring over time, resulting in damage. This material also does not perform well with water.
