Ceramic Tiles
✓ Durable and scratch-resistant (made by slow high-temperature burning)
✓ Anti-mold
✓ Low water absorption rate helps minimize floor water damage
✓ Stable (insusceptible to thermal expansion and contraction)
✓ Available in a range of slip resistance levels to suit different needs
✓ Diverse product styles for various interior designs
× Grouts are subject to molding caused by moisture and temperature changes
× Cold body mass
Engineered Hardwood
✓ A cheaper flooring material which provides the same outlook as solid hardwood (thinner hardwood layer compared to solid hardwood)
✓ Has a simpler and cheaper installation process than solid hardwood
✓ A more environmentally friendly option than solid hardwood (releases less pollutants with less wood harvested in the production process)
× Prolonged exposure to sunlight may lead to fading
× Less durable than solid hardwood and ceramic tiles
× Susceptible to scratches and requires more effort of maintenance
Solid Hardwood
✓ Long-lasting: can last as long as a century
✓ Available in diverse colors with unique wooden patterns
✓ Allows multiple times of floor sanding (for smoothening flooring surface in case of shallow scratches / for maintenance)
× Expensive material and high maintenance cost
× Prone to molding
× Exposure to moisture may cause the flooring to swell
SPC
✓ High-quality SPC flooring are scratch-resistant and waterproof
✓ Narrow floor joints help prevent dirt from jamming in the joints
✓ Cheaper cost compared to other materials
× Prolonged exposure to sunlight may induce damage to the flooring surface or cause flooring to deform
× Must ensure ground flatness before installation (an uneven SPC floor will contribute to hollow sounds underfoot)
× Less durable than other types of flooring materials
× Susceptible to scratches
Marble
✓ Signifies luxury and elegance
✓ Comes in a variety of patterns and colors
✓ Highly water-resistant with marble’s low porosity and floor surface coating
✓ Can be smoothened and maintained through polishing
× Expensive material and high maintenance cost
× Easily damaged by scratches and stains
Purchasing floors is a long-term investment. Not only does the flooring material play a huge part in shaping your home’s style, it determines the portion of time and money you are allocating for maintaining your floor in the future. Designs and costs aside, it is important to choose the type of flooring that suits your needs – to save future troubles, and of course, for your comfort’s sake.
