Building a house from ground up is a daunting task, which entails endless decision making. Beside the mountain load of paperwork you have to deal with, there is the actual task of getting the building process started.
You have to hire contractors and architects, contact suppliers and the most important task- choose from the numerous materials available. From the wood for your attic to the marble for the kitchen countertops, you can pick out every little detail.
One of the significant decision will be regarding the type of flooring you want. This is a crucial part. Just like a focus piece can make or break an outfit, the same way flooring acts as the foundation for your overall interior design.
The selection of the flooring should not only depend on the aesthetics but should also take into consideration its functionality. A flooring option may look glamorous on your pinterest board but in reality might be a nightmare to clean up. So apart from the design aspect your focus should also be on the practicality. To make an informed decision assess how the flooring option performs under durability test, slip test and acoustic test.
Now without any further delay, let’s look at the various flooring options available:
- Stone Flooring
Natural stone is one of the most elegant options for your home. Natural stones give an earthy vibe to any space. Some popular natural stone flooring options are granite, slate, marble, limestone, travertine and sandstone. Granite in particular is one of the strongest stones. If you are looking for something unique, durable and comparatively easier to clean, then stone flooring is the way to go.
- Wooden Flooring
Wooden flooring complements every interior decor theme. It adds a warm touch, which gives a home that ‘homely’ feeling. It is easy to clean with a high-end aesthetic appeal. Unlike stone flooring which has minimum potential for customisation, you can modify wooden flooring to suit your requirements. You can handpick the type, colour, stain and finish. However, it is quite vulnerable to moisture and is one of the more pricey options.
- Ceramic Tile Flooring
A durable, easy to maintain and affordable option is ceramic tile flooring. It is highly resistant to moisture, humidity and stains. Tile flooring is difficult to crack and quite easy to replace incase cracked. It does offer a variety of styles, which you could customise to your liking. But being quite heavy it is usually unsuitable for upper story installations.
- Vinyl Flooring
If you have pets or kids, then vinyl flooring is something you can consider for your home. It is waterproof, scratch resistant and less expensive than hardwood flooring. Even though it is easy to install and maintain, it lacks the charm of marble or hardwood flooring.
- Terrazzo Flooring
If you are looking for something snazzy and vibrant, then terrazzo flooring is the alternative for you. It is endlessly customisable and will certainly stand out. However, the factor of high customization can also prove be a con. Unlike hardwood flooring, terrazzo flooring lacks timelessness. What is a trend today might look outdated tomorrow. So keep that in mind before selecting a pattern.
- Mosaic Flooring
Probably the most exceptional option is mosaic flooring. It is not only incredibly elegant but also helps illuminate a space. You can achieve some stunning results from mosaic tiles. Despite this, mosaic flooring does have some limitations. For starters, it is not resistant to scratches. The installation process is rather difficult, which in turn drives up the cost. Also, it requires maintenance as it is prone to breakage.
It is not necessary that your entire house has have the same flooring. You can mix it up and choose flooring depending on the area it is intended for. For instance, being highly durable and stain-resistant, granite is a good choice for kitchens. For a cosy and inviting living room, wooden flooring works the best. As for the bathroom you can choose water resistant tile flooring or mosaic flooring.
Even though building a house is a stressful process, it should not take away the excitement of the experience of creating your dream home. The many options might be overwhelming but with proper consultation and research you will surely find the perfect one.
