The quality of various types of flooring in the built space is defining for a comfortable, safe home with the possibility of maintaining impeccable cleanliness and easy maintenance.
When choosing between types of interior flooring, we must consider the characteristics of the floor, its resistance over time, most often opting for a floor that does not require frequent repairs and is easy to maintain.
The continuously developing technology of recent years has made possible the emergence of an impressive number of types of flooring for interiors, each of which has a series of advantages and disadvantages in relation to the type of room for which they are used and the lifestyle of each of us.
Types of interior flooring
- Ceramic tile floor
The use of classic materials for interior flooring, such as ceramic tiles, known as floor tiles, very affordable in price, but requiring greater work, has undeniable advantages that make it the most accessible cladding option for any space. It is easy to install and maintain, waterproof, very resistant over time and with patterns for all tastes, styles and colors. Ceramic tiles are an excellent solution when considering the arrangement of a space prone to dirt or subject to intense traffic. As disadvantages, ceramic cladding is cold, literally and figuratively. Moreover, regardless of the design chosen, the floor with ceramic tiles offers a formal, almost sober air to a room. As a compromise solution, you can choose parquet-look tiles and underfloor heating.
- Marble floor
This is one of the oldest floors used, both indoors and outdoors. It is an extremely durable floor, with an elegant and refined appearance. It is very easy to maintain and resistant over time to both thermal and mechanical shocks. It is, however, an expensive solution. If the board has high porosity, it retains dust and dirt, becoming difficult to clean.
- Natural stone flooring
Natural stone is recommended for its durability and elegance. Although the price is high, due to new technologies it has become more affordable. In addition to marble, granite, travertine, slate, quartzite and limestone are also used for cladding.
- Wooden and parquet flooring
The use of natural materials in homes or in a certain type of commercial spaces is preferred and is directed towards the installation of parquet or natural wood floors. Being an expensive material, the analysis of the work, the choice of material and the installer are essential. Wood will always be the warmest construction material, which is why it is preferred, especially in permanent residential or holiday homes. The lifespan is good and the resistance of the surfaces can be improved by applying professional protective solutions. In order to preserve its appearance and qualities for a long time, solid wood flooring needs periodic care. No matter how well you clean your solid wood floor with gentle solutions, every few years you need to scrape the wooden boards and treat them with a special varnish.
- Laminate flooring
It is perhaps the least expensive option among these types of flooring, offering the same level of comfort and the same welcoming appearance as parquet and solid wood. Being a synthetic variant, laminate flooring is more dimensionally stable over time and more resistant to light mechanical shocks. However, laminate flooring will have a shorter lifespan than solid wood flooring and an extremely low degree of sound insulation. As a compromise solution, you can choose laminated wood flooring, this type of flooring being halfway between laminate flooring and solid wood flooring.
- Cork flooring
It is a durable product, it is water resistant, there are no problems with drying. The unique thermal insulation properties of cork ensure that the floor has an optimal temperature throughout the year, guaranteeing warmth, comfort and energy savings. The sound-absorbing construction of cork reduces the transmission of sound and vibrations in the room. The floor is ideal for walking barefoot.
- PVC flooring
It has become very popular in recent years due to its versatility, PVC flooring being an economical and aesthetically pleasing solution. PVC flooring is easy to install and maintain, coming in a wide variety of designs. It is suitable for spaces with high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens, and is easy to clean. It offers good sound insulation and can be treated with anti-microbial agents, being used in hospitals or gyms. It is a quick and convenient solution. Over time, PVC flooring loses its impeccable appearance from the beginning, no matter how well it is cared for. Subjected to a high degree of wear, it can easily deteriorate and take on an unnatural appearance.
- Marmoleum flooring
Marmoleum is a type of natural linoleum, produced from linseed oil, extracted from linseed, wood flour from production waste from controlled forest plantations and jute. It is a very successful combination of natural material and the modern look of concrete. It is resistant to heavy traffic, is antistatic and antibacterial, ecological and environmentally friendly, fire resistant. In addition, it retains its appearance for a long time.
- Carpeted floor
The carpet on the market meets various traffic requirements, is available in different colors, textures, thicknesses and sizes, and is a flooring solution that is well-received by customers, mainly for office and catering spaces, both due to its increased comfort and increasingly elaborate design.
- Epoxy resin flooring
The lifespan of such a floor is the determining factor for its use in the event of unfriendly traffic on the surface. It offers remarkable hardness when used in production spaces, shopping centers and other types of buildings with high traffic.
- Polyurethane resin flooring
Polyurethane is a material with properties that give elasticity to the surface over which it is poured. For this reason it is appreciated, having the resistance at least equal to that of epoxy resin flooring, but the flexibility of the surface allows the impact to be mitigated in the event of falls of large mass bodies. There are enough commercial or industrial activities in which this option is preferred. Sports activities or children’s play areas also benefit from these types of flooring.
- Tempered glass floors
These floors, made of tempered and laminated glass, are the most modern and innovative solution to give the space an elegant and truly unique look. They can be used both in commercial spaces and in your own home. Glass floors are more resistant to moisture and are much easier to clean. At the same time, they are scratch-resistant and allow better natural lighting of the building. The floors are made of the highest quality tempered and laminated glass, with a thickness between 22 and 34 mm, which can support a weight of up to 600 kg/m2. In practice, the tempered glass floor can even support the weight of a car.
