Which Task do you feel the most challenging in home decorating ? Exactly, replacing an entire floor is a much bigger & costlier job.But it doesn’t mean you have to just leave in unnoticed.

In 2020 we have lots of flooring options in an affordable cost . Each flooring has its pros and cons depending  which you can choose the best flooring for your home.

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For All -Round usability,looks: Hardwood

Solid wood has been one of the most popular flooring types in hill stations of the country for decades. These floorings are available in strips & planks ( 2” – 6”) .

These woods are available in different shades depending on the type of the wood , colour  say for example walnut , oak , Brazilian cherry , Purple heart.

Top trends : Distressed , Grey wood , Acacia wood

Pros :

• Suitable for any style of home with any decor.
• Long – Lasting
• Can be refinished ( upto 5 times)
• Increase the resale value home
• Easy to clean
• Waterproof

Cons :  

• Don’t stand up well to rough handling.
• Can Shrink & swell , thus bad for bathroom & Laundry rooms.
• Refinishing required once in 10 years.
  
  

Credit peterflooring

For Green-ness and Sustainability:  Bamboo Flooring

We all know Bamboo is a fast growing grass that can also be used as  flooring that looks similar to a hardwood.On recent days bamboo flooring has become popular as an Eco – friendly ,alternative to wood flooring but as experts say it isn’t always a greater choice.

Bamboo flooring is always available on its own grains and nodes.

Pros :

• Renewable resources
• Allows refinishing  
• Easy maintenance
• Resists Termites
• Repels allergens
• Cost effective
• Durable
• Allows the installation of a Radiant floor heating system.

Cons :  

• Can not withstand Humidity.
• Can get Scratched .
• Some floors produce toxins.
• Prone to damage by water.
• Lacks of Rustic look.

credit Workshop Inc    

For Cost Effective and Easy to clean: Vitrified Tile

When we look as a big picture , vitrified  tile is one of the best choice and it is readily available , offers versatile options .

Pros :

• Durable and scratch resistant
• Consistent size,shade and thickness
• Need 48 hrs to use after laying
• Water absorption and stain resistance
• Easy to clean and shiny effective
• Effect of sunlight neither alters the colour of the tile nor cause them to fade.

Cons :  

• Cost differs on each area
• Defected tile must be cut along the grout line and surrounding material could be damaged in the process.
• To ensure stability , high quality , adhesives are used.
• Slippery when wet.
• Difficult to install.
  

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For Richie look : Marble Flooring

The first choice that comes for all the house owners rather than vitrified tile is Marble flooring. Throughout history , marble floor has been seen as a symbol of royalty and wealth. Marble,in  its natural form , is cut out from stone quarries and taken to factories where it is cut into tiles , mosaics ,slabs.

Pros :

• Appearance  
• Translucent
• Distinctive and unique
• Do not require chemical processing
• Natural material and high density
• Glossy and shine

Cons :  

• Can easily be scratched
• Soft and breatile
• Prone to stains
• Sealants.
• Slippage Hazard
• Fragile and Expensive
  
  

Credit Brenna Malmberg

For Rustic , Industrial Look: Concrete Flooring

We all seen in our grandparents house even in mid 90’s concrete slab  has served as flooring for basements, garages , patios and utility. But now concrete is a viable material in home interiors.

Pros :

• Relatively Inexpensive
• Durable
• Easy to maintain
• Easy to clean
• Design flexibility

Cons :  

• Hard and cold
• Slippery
• Susceptible to moisture
• Concern to Environment
• Cracking
  
  

Credit icorkfloor.com

For Foot Friendly Feel : Cork Flooring

Cork is the next resilient material which is the byproduct of oak tree bark, which you can harvest every 8 to 10 years without killing the tree , making cork a sustainable material.The bark is boiled and compressed into sheets. Cork because of its Sponge cellular structure can revert back to its original shape.

Pros :

• Warm and soft underfoot
• Natural Rustic look
• Slip resistance
• Easy Installation
• Eco Friendly  

Cons :  

• Vulnerable to moisture , Tears and dent.
• Needs to be resealed with wax or polyurethane to protect it from stains and water damage.

Credit hgtv

For Resilience & Authenticity : Linoleum

Linoleum is another resilient material that’s been in use nearly 150 years.It is made from natural materials , including cork powder and linseed oil.Linoleum is always confused with the vinyl flooring. This flooring gives a retro look.

Pros :

• Easy Maintenance
• Long lasting ( 40 Years)
• Available in Vivid Colours
• Eco Friendly material
• No Harmful Emission  

Cons :  

• Dent and tear by sharp objects
• Fade and turns into yellow when used in rooms with heavy sunlight
• Not water resistance , so bad choice for bathrooms , laundry rooms .
  
  

Credit supergres

For Decorative Look : Ceramic

Hard glazed tiles made of ceramic and Porcelain have been used a flooring material for centuries . These are used as a decorative tile as they come in array of colours and patterns.Quarry tile , terracotta tile are also the types of ceramic tiles.

Pros :

• Colours and shape options
• Can create virtually any pattern through printing technology
• Can mimic natural stone and even wood
• Durable
• Scratch , dent and moisture resistant
• Less maintenance and easy to clean

Cons :  

• Tiles feel cold and hard underfoot , difficult to fix
• Terracotta tile require regular sealing
• Slippery and footstep sounds loud

There have been a wide range of options for flooring in the recent days. Above mentioned are a few recent trends that suit all kinds of interiors. Flooring makes a lot of difference in the look and feel of the house. Right choice of flooring enhance the beauty of the space.

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