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Choose it right: Selection of the right type of flooring is important.

In this age of stylish living, plain-cement floors have almost vanished. However, it is the most durable and the easiest to maintain among all the floorings. Mosaic floor combines the strength of a cement-flooring and the appearance of a stone-flooring. A well-laid mosaic floor with pleasant patterns can be as strong as a cement floor and as visually pleasing as a marble floor. Even if you prefer a costlier flooring for the indoors, mosaic flooring is most practical in places such as corridors and sit-outs.

The Taj Mahal will not have been as beautiful as it is now if it were built of any other material. The most beautiful among all floorings, marble is available in many grades and shades. Based on its softness, marble is broadly classified into four grades. Costlier is not always the stronger.

Even some of the softer grades are sold at a higher price as they are in high demand purely for their appearance. An experienced worker can help you easily identify the best marble for your budget.

Marble is difficult to maintain. It takes a careful and regular maintenance schedule to preserve the gloss for a long period. Acids and sharp tools should be avoided while cleaning. Oil and other liquid spills should be immediately cleaned as the marble may absorb them leading to permanent marks.

Granite is the strongest and most expensive of all stone floorings. Granite looks elegant on large open floors and is more resistant to acids than marble. Hence, it is easier to maintain than other stone floorings. The lower cost of maintenance will offset the additional cost of laying, in the long run.

Ceramic tiles are available in many shades and innumerable patterns. They offer the best compromise between strength and appearance. Most resistant to acids, they are the easiest to clean and maintain. Ceramic tiles should be preferred over stone flooring if you anticipate heavy activity in your home. As a thumb rule, bathroom floors and kitchen walls should be laid with ceramic tiles as maintainability scores over appearance in these places of your home. The ceramic tile patterns get quickly outdated. So, it is always wise to keep around 25-30 sq.ft of tiles in stock. They will be handy in the future when you may need them for maintenance work.

Irrespective of the type of flooring, certain factors such as the colour and workmanship should also be kept in mind. The shade of the floor is a key factor in balancing the light in a room. Darker shades should be preferred only when there is ample lighting in the room.

On the other hand, dirt marks may be more pronounced on lighter shades. Poor workmanship causes improper reflection of light which results in a clumsy visual effect. Inaccurate slopes and joints in the flooring, especially in the bathroom, will lead to stagnation and seepage of water.

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