Floors are integral in every home, delivering structural support for the contents and occupants of a room. In fact, some of them are even heat, moisture and sound resistant.
With significant impact on a room’s ambience, be it the centrepiece or a complementary feature, different types of flooring adds to the aesthetic of your home, transforming its style, look and feel. The right flooring can make a room look cosier, larger, warmer or cooler.
Different types of flooring emphasise different functions. For instance, some flooring is better at resisting the buildup of dust, dander and other common allergens. Beyond flaunting and expressing your style, a good flooring ensures the health of your home.
Listed below are common types of home flooring options available in Singapore:
1. Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is highly durable, practical and affordable, composing of several different layers that are sandwiched together. Available in different appealing textures, styles and colours, vinyl flooring is mainly classified into Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and vinyl roll. Vinyl flooring provides comfort to users as it is softer than hardwood. Its cushion-backed finish makes it comfortable to stand for a long duration of time.
Pros:
Budget-friendly
high durability
Sustainable
Cons:
Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Hard to recycle
Cannot be repaired
2. Laminate
Featuring an authentic wooden floor appearance, laminate is a synthetic product constructed from thin, pressed wood board with repetitive printed images of wood fused onto a fiberboard core. It can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. Installable at a reasonable cost, the versatility of style that laminate provides enables it to complement almost any design or theme. However, it is not a material that will raise your long-term real estate value, but instead, serves as a good way to uplift an otherwise shabby floor.
Pros:
Eco-friendly
High durability
Easy to install
Cons:
Cannot be refinished
Sensitive to moisture
Artificial appearance
3. SPC vinyl flooring
Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) flooring is the newest innovative material in the industry. A combination of tone powder and pvc plastic forms the core of SPC multi-layered floor planks. Commonly installed with a click style system, this premium luxury vinyl tile has a design layer that simulates virtually any stone or wood floor colours or patterns. SPC vinyl flooring is often used for floors with high foot traffic and also suitable for wet rooms in the house and other spaces.
Pros:
High durability
High stability
Waterproof
Cons:
Sensitive To Moisture
Susceptible To Sharp Objects
No Extra Resale Value Added
4. Homogeneous
Homogeneous tiles are a type of ceramic tile made up of fine porcelain clays but heated under much higher temperatures, compared to ceramic ones. Due to their waterproof property and slip resistant capabilities, homogeneous tiles are suitable for use in garages, kitchens, and other areas where splashes may occur. The best part? They do not have pores, thus, making them resistant to stains as well.
Pros:
Durable
Dirt resistant
Slip resistant
Cons:
Higher costs
Hard to be installed
Limited range of designs
5. Marble
Marble flooring remains one of the stone flooring types that are highly popular among homeowners. Available in various colours and patterns, marble flooring instantly enhances and elevates the appearance of a space. Manufactured by limestone crystallising from high temperatures and pressure underground, these tiles provide insulation and help to keep your home warm. They are perfect for kitchens and even fireplaces.
Pros:
Allergy-proof
Aesthetics
Heat resistance
Cons:
Expensive
Hard to maintain
Fragile and brittle
6. Hardwood
With timeless designs that may incur resale value, hardwood flooring is a natural and durable flooring option for homes. Available in different wood selections such as maple, pine, oak and bamboo, hardwood flooring improves the overall ambiance of your home, accentuating sophistication and class. At the same time, it also offers a touch of warmth and character to both traditional and modern homes. People often compare hardwood flooring with vinyl tiles. Hardwood flooring has a greater resale value and the process of restoring hardwood flooring is much easier than that of vinyl flooring.
Pros:
Easy to maintain
High durability
Allergen reducer
Cons:
Expensive
Scratch concerns
Moisture damage
7. Solid timber
A solid timber flooring possesses a traditional hardwood style flooring that comes as a raw product. This type of flooring requires the installer to sand and polish the whole area, after the boards are laid. It can be re-sanded and polished multiple times. Solid timber floorings may be installed in your dining, living and hallway areas.
Pros:
Longevity
Improved Home Value
Aesthetic Appeal
Cons:
Expensive
Difficult to install
Not suitable for pre-finished
Choosing a good quality flooring provides comfort and improves your home’s interior design. Do consider the pros and cons of different types of flooring before selecting the best one for your individual home living lifestyle.
Floorrich provides excellent workmanship for hardwood and vinyl flooring installations in residential, HDB, and commercial properties across Singapore. With a team of well-trained and experienced flooring installation specialists, getting your dream flooring is made possible Contact us now for quality flooring solutions!