Make your floor shine
Aug 13, 2010
HAVING a beautiful home is everyone’s dream. Many try different sorts of interior and exterior finishings to make the home as alluring as possible. <br>For instance, a floor and the materials you choose to make it will determine the overall beauty of your home.
BY GODWIN AYESIGA
HAVING a beautiful home is everyone’s dream. Many try different sorts of interior and exterior finishings to make the home as alluring as possible.
For instance, a floor and the materials you choose to make it will determine the overall beauty of your home.
James Kasaija, a foreman with Quality and Economical Constructors, says maintenance problems, appearance, safety, durability, damp resistance, fire resistance and individual preference should be considered when choosing floor finishings. Kasaija says there are several floor finishes you can use:
WOOD FINISH
Wood is a popular floor finish with a variety of designs because of its natural appearance, beauty and warmth. It is available in board, strip, sheet or wood block. Wood finish has several advantages such as good sound insulation. Besides, it never corrodes and alterations and repairs can be done easily.
However, wood is not fire resistant. It also demands regular and careful maintenance, making it expensive. Without regular maintenance, wood floors decay if the timber used was not well preserved. Wood is also not suitable for use in damp areas such as washrooms.
PITCH MASTIC
These are resistant to water but have a better resistance to oil and fats. They are suitable for washrooms and kitchens. However, pitch mastic is more expensive than the plain cement and is not readily available.
TILES
Floor tiles are fixed with an adhesive usually recommended by their manufacturer. They are in different sizes, colours, types and grades.
Nowadays, tiles are the most popular flooring finish. They are easy to install and offer good dimensional stability, durability and shock resistance.
Tiles are readily available in hardware shops. They are easy to clean, can be converted into suitable workable sizes and give an admirable appearance.
When it comes to buying, tiles cost between sh23,000 to about sh40,000 per m2 depending on the type and manufacturer of the tile.
However, you need to trade carefully as you may buy counterfeit tiles.
Unbelievably huge discounts could be one sign that the tiles are counterfeit.
The cost of laying the tiles depends on the size of the space to be covered, for instance, you may part with between sh50,000 and sh70,000 for a 3mx2m room. But you can still negotiate for a better deal.
TERRAZZO
Terrazzo flooring offers a great floor finish and an executive appearance. However, its initial cost of installation is considerably higher than other floor finishes but when viewed long term, it can be cheap.
Terrazzo floors are strong, durable, sound and damp resistant, and are easy to clean. However, it requires more time to lay since it involves grinding and polishing.
Fortunately, when it comes to choice of colour, you decide on either mixed or plain colours. In case your floor gets stained, grinding it makes it look new.
CEMENT
Although plain concrete floors are slowly getting outclassed, they are less costly yet highly durable.
Experts say focus is turning towards the use of floor finishes that combine beauty and flexibility with durability and economy.
Unlike many other floor finishing materials, concrete floor finishes usually last the lifetime of the cement and are extremely durable and easy to maintain. Luckily, you can cover your plain cement floor finish with another flooring material such as a carpet.
GRANOLITHIC
This is a mixture of cement and granite chippings which are applied to newly laid concrete which is not more than three hours old. This type of floor finish is hard wearing, noisy and cold to touch. It is suitable for areas where easy maintenance and durability are important especially at the entrance.
CARPETING
There are a variety of styles, types, patterns, colours, qualities and sizes available on the market. You need to choose one that will give your home an appealing look. However, since carpets are manufactured from nylon or wool, they should be used in a dry area because their resistance to dampness is poor.
Put in mind that taking proper care of your carpet not only prevents it from damage but also extends its lifespan and makes it look new for long.
The cost of the carpet depends on the size, quality and is as cheap as sh50,000. They are available in many shops but you can also get a good second hand carpetet at a relatively low price.
HAVING a beautiful home is everyone’s dream. Many try different sorts of interior and exterior finishings to make the home as alluring as possible.
For instance, a floor and the materials you choose to make it will determine the overall beauty of your home.
James Kasaija, a foreman with Quality and Economical Constructors, says maintenance problems, appearance, safety, durability, damp resistance, fire resistance and individual preference should be considered when choosing floor finishings. Kasaija says there are several floor finishes you can use:
WOOD FINISH
Wood is a popular floor finish with a variety of designs because of its natural appearance, beauty and warmth. It is available in board, strip, sheet or wood block. Wood finish has several advantages such as good sound insulation. Besides, it never corrodes and alterations and repairs can be done easily.
However, wood is not fire resistant. It also demands regular and careful maintenance, making it expensive. Without regular maintenance, wood floors decay if the timber used was not well preserved. Wood is also not suitable for use in damp areas such as washrooms.
PITCH MASTIC
These are resistant to water but have a better resistance to oil and fats. They are suitable for washrooms and kitchens. However, pitch mastic is more expensive than the plain cement and is not readily available.
TILES
Floor tiles are fixed with an adhesive usually recommended by their manufacturer. They are in different sizes, colours, types and grades.
Nowadays, tiles are the most popular flooring finish. They are easy to install and offer good dimensional stability, durability and shock resistance.
Tiles are readily available in hardware shops. They are easy to clean, can be converted into suitable workable sizes and give an admirable appearance.
When it comes to buying, tiles cost between sh23,000 to about sh40,000 per m2 depending on the type and manufacturer of the tile.
However, you need to trade carefully as you may buy counterfeit tiles.
Unbelievably huge discounts could be one sign that the tiles are counterfeit.
The cost of laying the tiles depends on the size of the space to be covered, for instance, you may part with between sh50,000 and sh70,000 for a 3mx2m room. But you can still negotiate for a better deal.
TERRAZZO
Terrazzo flooring offers a great floor finish and an executive appearance. However, its initial cost of installation is considerably higher than other floor finishes but when viewed long term, it can be cheap.
Terrazzo floors are strong, durable, sound and damp resistant, and are easy to clean. However, it requires more time to lay since it involves grinding and polishing.
Fortunately, when it comes to choice of colour, you decide on either mixed or plain colours. In case your floor gets stained, grinding it makes it look new.
CEMENT
Although plain concrete floors are slowly getting outclassed, they are less costly yet highly durable.
Experts say focus is turning towards the use of floor finishes that combine beauty and flexibility with durability and economy.
Unlike many other floor finishing materials, concrete floor finishes usually last the lifetime of the cement and are extremely durable and easy to maintain. Luckily, you can cover your plain cement floor finish with another flooring material such as a carpet.
GRANOLITHIC
This is a mixture of cement and granite chippings which are applied to newly laid concrete which is not more than three hours old. This type of floor finish is hard wearing, noisy and cold to touch. It is suitable for areas where easy maintenance and durability are important especially at the entrance.
CARPETING
There are a variety of styles, types, patterns, colours, qualities and sizes available on the market. You need to choose one that will give your home an appealing look. However, since carpets are manufactured from nylon or wool, they should be used in a dry area because their resistance to dampness is poor.
Put in mind that taking proper care of your carpet not only prevents it from damage but also extends its lifespan and makes it look new for long.
The cost of the carpet depends on the size, quality and is as cheap as sh50,000. They are available in many shops but you can also get a good second hand carpetet at a relatively low price.