There is plethora of flooring options available in the market, and when it comes to choosing one for your house or office, you are sure to be in a dilemma. In the following article, the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used flooring option has been discussed.
There is plethora of flooring options available in the market, and when it comes to choosing one for your house or office, you are sure to be in a dilemma. In the following article, the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used flooring option has been discussed. It aims in making the three most popular flooring options easy to compare and contrast and might give you some clarity in deciding.
Marble, Granite and tiles are the most preferred options owing to their incalculable benefits. These flooring options are different from each other in terms of resistance to scratches, fortitude against high temperatures, measure of minerals, quality, cost and more.
Granite
This natural stone is formed from cooled lava and magma and is extremely rich in mineral content. Popularly known as ‘queen of stone flooring’, Granite is available in variety of shades of white, pink and grey colors. You will be amazed to see the different patterns available in the granite stone. It is mineral rich and includes- amphibole, mica, feldspar, quartz, and silica. It is widely installed in hallway, kitchens and also semi-outdoor spaces like home gardens and courtyards.
Pros of Granite Flooring
- Easy to clean and maintain
- It feels cold underfoot and is perfect for warmer places
- Resistant to bacteria
- Resistant to burns and stains
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to scratching and chipping
- Last for lifetime
- It is hardest among all natural stones
- Available in various patterns and colors
- Antiskid granite is also available but is comparatively pricey
Cons of Granite flooring
- Slippery when polished
- It is easier to sustain injuries if someone falls on granite floor
- Requires proper sealing to make it water and stain resistant
- Installation charges are high
- It is heavy and requires resilient subflooring to bear its weight
- It is quite cold
Marble
This metamorphic stone forms under intense pressure and heat and finally transforms the rock composition. Italian marbles are available in several varieties like Imperial Gold, Italian Beige, Italian Brown, Jet Black, Blue Pearl, Baltic Brown and more. Out of these Italian white marble is immensely popular and has a unique charm. Marble stone is porous and soft and is commonly used in bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms. It can be installed in almost any space of the house as it is high on aesthetics. The marble flooring designs serve as a backdrop and bring out the furnishings of the interior décor.
Pros of Granite flooring
- Available in wide range of colors
- Does not catch allergens, hence maintains a good indoor air quality
- It is easy to clean
- Most Italian marbles slabs are resin impregnated, thereby providing a hygienic surface as compared to other materials
- Can last for a lifetime
- Durable and scratch resistant
Cons of Granite flooring
- It is slippery
- Expensive
- As it’s hard, there are chances of sustaining injuries on the floor
- It feels cold under foot
- Flooring gets stained and becomes darker if uncoated
- Requires regular polishing and resealing to maintain the beauty
- The surface might get scratches if not cared with diligence
Tiles
The man-made ceramic tiles have low porosity and are readily available in shops.
Pros of Tile flooring
- It does not fade in sunlight
- Easy to clean
- Prevents fungi and bacteria growth due to moisture resistance
- Can be used within 48 hours of laying
- Setting course is easy and simple
- Great strength
- Resistant to water and frost
- Homogenous in hue, size and depth
Cons of Tile Flooring
- Not environment friendly
- Slippery when wet
- Requires high quality adhesive for laying, thereby increasing the expense
- Expensive as compared to floorboards
- Requires care to avoid flaking
- In case one tile is defective, it must be cut along the grout line, which might damage the adjacent material
Choosing flooring is entirely a personal choice, but it is important to consider few things before finalizing one, like- environmental factors, and availability in future in case of partial replacements, affordability, family needs, usage patterns and also maintenance standpoint in terms of cleaning.