Furniture and fittings can be replaced with time, but flooring is something which is going to stay for a very-very long period isn’t it? No wonder, Indians put in a lot of effort in selecting flooring materials. But again, considering the designing aspect of a home, flooring is something that is given very less thought, hence most Indian homeowners either think of marble, natural stones or ceramic tiling. These materials are typically something that bare minimally matches the color of the home interiors and fits into the budget. Owing to this, let’s highlight the top 7 types of flooring most embraced in our country.
7 Most Popular Types Of Flooring In India
Look at a collection of vernacular types of floors that for long have been delivering an Indian vintage look to homes in India.
Kutná Hora 1. Terracotta Flooring
Terracotta is a clay-based material and is quite popular for its earthy appeal and durability. Terracotta tiles are made by baking red earth, yes these are literally ‘cooked earth,’ that is manufactured by firing refined clay mixtures in kilns at extreme temperatures. Toughness is one of the biggest advantages of using terracotta, these floors can last for ages. Most terracotta flooring is available in earthy shades of red and brown, and yes, no two tiles are the same. This flooring option is quite versatile and is suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
causally 2. Cement Oxide Flooring
Cement oxide flooring has been around for ages, sadly, it lost it popularity due to the emergence of many new and modern types of flooring. But, owing to its beauty, rusticity and cost factor, its craze has bounced back making it one of the most preferred choice in flooring materials in India. Apart from being cost-effective and extremely durable, oxide floors are very easy on maintenance and look elegant. In addition, oxide floors feel very cool to the touch, hence they are a perfect option for homes located in warm or tropical locations.
3. Natural Stone Flooring
Stone flooring has been a favorite of homeowners in India for millennia. The term “natural stone” denotes to a variety of mountain-born mineral substances which stand in contrast to any synthetic or manufactured stone products. Slate, marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and sandstone are popular examples of natural stone flooring each of these has different properties. With its no-two-pieces-look-alike character, durability, and ageless beauty, this flooring material will always remain one of the top choices in India.
4. Brick Flooring
Brick is probably the oldest human manufactured building materials, and its use dates back thousands of years. Considering bricks in flooring, due to its cost-effectiveness it’s hugely popular in most parts of India. Bricks are known for its extraordinary strength, extensive durability, and fire resistance, but again they are also highly porous and can easily get chipped. In addition to this, bricks are also aesthetically very versatile, these can be laid in different innovative patterns. Bricks indeed are the best option for those who are looking for a floor that maintains moderate temperature levels and adds a rustic essence to the home – something that is truly Indian.
5. Tile Flooring
Tiles are artificial flooring materials that have an impervious surface. In the past 2 decades, these have gained immense popularity due to their durability, ease of installation, low maintenance, and affordability. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that today tiles have taken over as the most common option for flooring in Indian homes. Tile floorings are of many different types and available in a variety of colors and designs, vitrified tile flooring, terrazzo or mosaic tile flooring, ceramic flooring tiles, porcelain floor tiles, and cement tiles are the most popular ones.
6. Wooden Flooring
Wooden Flooring currently is one of the hottest trends in the Indian market. In Indian homes, these can be used almost everywhere except in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. This is because wooded floorings are quite vulnerable to moisture and humidity and even little amounts of moisture can deteriorate the wood. Wooden floorings are of many different types bamboo wood flooring, laminated wood flooring, engineered wood flooring, and hardwood flooring are few of them. Today, wooden flooring is one of the most luxurious and practical form of home improvements.
7. Terrazzo Flooring Or Mosaic Flooring
Terrazzo flooring also commonly known as Mosaic Flooring is another very popular type of flooring which has been commonly used in India for years. Terrazzo flooring can be of different types based on the variety in the material used or on the type of bonding used for them. Few of them are epoxy terrazzo, cement terrazzo, rustic terrazzo, monolithic terrazzo, and polyacrylate terrazzo.
As this type of flooring gives a pleasing look, it has been extensively provided in living rooms, bedrooms etc.
So, if you are planning to add a tinge of Indian classical delight to your home, these options could be a great choice.
Think Green
A few decades ago, making a home truly eco-friendly was an expensive affair, also the final results weren’t visually artistic and beautiful as one expected. But today, with advances in green technology, this is no longer a problem. Today, the design world offers many stunning Green flooring options to pick and choose from which are aesthetically astounding. Few examples are:
- Timber
- Bamboo
- Rubber
- Lavastone
- Cork
- Linoleum
- Glass Tiles
- Porotherm Bricks
Many people hear green flooring and assume a high price tag. But, today it’s a worth exploring option, for all the benefits these Green floors deliver.
So, the next time you decide to replace your flooring, consider all the types of flooring but don’t forget to weigh them out on the Green Meter!
Read: Green Floor, Making Floors More Eco-Friendly And Sustainable
Curated by editor at Wienerberger India
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