Common Types of Flooring for Condominiums
If you are considering buying a resale condo or EC, or are thinking about renovating your existing one, the type of flooring you go for is one of the most important decisions you can make. This goes for how practical and hardwearing the material is, as well as how good it looks, and what effects it will have on the resale value. Here we look at some of the most common types of flooring used in condos and EC’s in Singapore today.
Porcelain and Homogenous Tiles
There is often some confusion around what is meant by homogenous tiles, and how they differ from normal porcelain tiles. The main difference is that homogenous tiles (also occasionally referred to as unglazed or full bodied porcelain tiles), have the same colour throughout the entire tile. This means that if you crack or chip it, the damage is far less noticeable. With standard porcelain tiles however, the inside is a different colour, and so any damage is more obvious.
Tiles are becoming more and more popular, and not just in kitchens and bathrooms where they have always been a common feature due to their water resistance. As well as hardwearing, scratch and stain resistant, they come into their own in Singapore, where their cool feel underfoot can be very welcome.
Two downsides are that some people do find an apartment entirely floored with tiles to be noisy and prone to echoes, while the grout can become stained and is a pain to clean.
Marble
One of the best ways to add a touch of class and elegance to any apartment is with marble flooring. The naturally formed stone will have a unique pattern allowing you to choose one that best suits your space and furnishings. Marble flooring shares many of its advantages and disadvantages with tiles. They are easy to maintain and clean, are perfectly suited to Singapore’s hot climate and are water proof. They are more expensive to buy and fit than standard tiles, but they do give a more sophisticated look to your property.
Timber
Hardwood flooring is a very popular choice. Taking up old, damaged tiles, or carpet and replacing with timber is a definite way to greatly improve the look of a tired condo, while vastly increasing its resale value. It can look stunning, comes in a vast array of different styles and colours and is relatively easy to maintain and keep looking at its best.
It can be relatively expensive, and it is susceptible to damage if water is allowed to stand for prolonged periods. The pros outweigh the negatives however, and it is unlikely that this type of durable and stylish flooring will ever go out of vogue.
Engineered Timber Flooring
This is made by a process of binding wood veneers together to create a composite plank. An advantage this has over traditional hardwood is that they can be made into larger lengths and widths. They tend to be more stable and less prone to warping due to changes in temperature or humidity than standard hardwood floors.
Laminate flooring
An option for those wanting a wood or wood effect, but at a fraction of the price is laminate flooring. In terms of durability it falls midway between traditional hardwood and carpet. As you would expect, it is easy to clean and maintain, and is scratch and stain proof making it ideal for pet owners.
Laminate flooring comes in a variety of colours and styles, and can be extremely hard to tell from real hardwood flooring. The main drawback is that it should not be got wet, and spillages should be cleaned up immediately, hence it is not ideal for the bathroom or kitchen.
Vinyl Flooring
Last but not least, vinyl flooring is becoming more and more popular. It comes in either sheets or tiles, and is considerably cheaper than the other methods discussed. It is fairly durable, available in a very wide range of styles and colours and is comfortable under foot. The downsides are that if can be damaged by sharp objects or heavy loads, and can fade if subjected to prolonged direct sunlight.
Looking for new launch condos with premium floorings and quality fittings and finishings which are provided by the developers?
Have a look at some of our new launches below,
