Flooring sets the foundation for what your home looks like. The type of floor matters in order to have a beautiful home. Yet, we find ourselves at conflicted while deciding between tiles and wooden flooring. It’s not just about aesthetics but the functionality and pricing that affects this decision.
Here are some key aspects that will help you make an informed choice:
Wooden Flooring
Whether it is hardwood, laminate or even bamboo. A wooden floor adds a warm and luxurious touch to your interiors. In this case we focus on laminate flooring as it’s commonly used in Kenya. Laminate flooring is cost effective and costs as low as 1, 200kshs per plank.
Aesthetics: Along with the lavish finish, wooden flooring adds to the warmth of the room. So if you want a cosy and homey feel, be sure to give your home a wooden touch.
Installation: Laminate planks have tongue and groove joints, which can be implemented easily. However, make sure the floor is even before you lay them down. In addition, keep necessary gaps as wood tends to expand due to heat.
Maintenance: Despite laminate flooring being durable, the maintenance is high as it’s prone to damage by water. Use a slightly damp mop for cleaning. Don’t drag any furniture over it, it scratches easy.
Pros & Cons:
A wooden floor is great for cold weather and gives a chic look if combined with other types of flooring. It’s slip resistant. Since it is prone to scratches, it is not a great option if you have pets. It’s better to avoid this option where the rooms are exposed to moisture and water. Dust is a constant concern, so you need to clean it regularly.
Tiled Flooring
Although tiles have a lot of varieties, we’ll stick to the most popular option which is ceramic tiles. These tiles are made of fire clay or quartz and glazed at high temperatures. They are available in both shiny and rough textures, to suit the vivid requirements. Tile prices vary based on their color, pattern and type but they are available as low as 500kshs per sq ft.
Aesthetics: Available in many colours, patterns and styles, tile flooring is the trending option for flooring. Whether you want the tile to add to the ambience or provide a striking contrast, you have plenty of options to pick from.
Installation: Tiles are laid on the base coat with cement mortar and the joints are filled with white cement. In case you already have a cement flooring, the tiles can be installed on that using an adhesive.
Maintenance: If your tiles are installed properly, you wouldn’t have to worry about them for a long time. Regular dusting and cleaning are easy as a breeze with this flooring.
Pros & Cons:
Tiles are known for their durable quality, but breakage is something you would have to check on. Since they are slippery, it is advised to bear precaution in case the floor is wet. However, the market also has variants with the anti-slip coating. This flooring doesn’t attract dust or stain easily and is simple to clean.
See also: How to choose the right apartment floor
Flooring adds to the general aesthetics of your room without drawing too much attention to itself. This decision is mostly based on comfort and preferences. So choose the right flooring for your home.