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Hard Flooring
By peace | June 28, 2007
When it comes to flooring, the term ‘hard’ means exactly what it says: stone, tiles, brick, concrete and metal all fall into this category. Equally appropriate both inside and out, hard floors can last forever. They are completely waterproof, easy to clean and suitable for use with underfloor heating. On the down side, they feel cold and unyielding underfoot and they are very likely to damage any unfortunate object that makes unexpected contact with them.
Hard floors are also extremely heavy, which rules them out for most upstairs rooms. However, they are always a practical choice in entrance halls, bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories. In sultry tropical regions, their cool smoothness makes them a popular choice in every other room as well, but in colder countries, most people prefer carpets which provide them with warmth or wood flooring in places which need rest and much relaxation.
Stone Flooring
Most of the different types of stone flooring are sold either as large slabs or conventional tiles.
- Limestone is pale and grainy, with a textured surface that improves with age.
- Granite is extremely hard and has a specky finish. It is usually grey or black, but pink, green and rusty red granites are not uncommon.
- Slate has a ripped texture and comes in a range of subtle, darkish hues.
- Marble, with its rich colouring and delicate veins, offers the ultimate in luxury at an appropriate price. Cold and slippery underfoot, it stains easily and should be polished often.
- Terrazzo is made from marble chippings mixed with concrete to produce tough, textured flooring in a variety of mottled colours.
Flooring Tiles
Ceramic, terracotta and quarry tiles and flooring bricks are all made from clay that has been shaped and fired in a kiln. Glazed tiles are easy to maintain but their glossy surface is vulnerable to chips and scratches.
- Ceramic tiles are produced in a wide range of prices, colours, shapes and patterns. Most of them are machine made, but a range of hand-painted and hand-moulded designs is also available.
- Terracotta tiles are sold in a limited palette of earth colours. They are fairly porous and tend to retain heat, which makes them warmer underfoot than many other types of tile.
- Quarry tiles have a similarly rustic appeal, but they are fired at a much higher temperature than terracotta, which makes them considerably tougher. Prices vary depending on thickness.
- Brick pavers/ flooring bricks have a strong, traditional charm of their own. Usually laid out in a rhythmic pattern, they make a durable, non-slip floor surface that requires no special treatment.
Concrete
Non concrete flooring can either be laid as pre-cast slabs or poured wet in situ, then smoothed out and left to dry. In both forms, it is remarkably cheap and virtually indestructible. It is brutally industrial in appearance, however, and as a general rule, more people are stuck with these floors than choose them. If you are faced with a bleak expanse of bare concrete, try humanizing it with colour in the form of a low-sheen floor paint or a translucent tint or stain. Alternatively, for a surprisingly rich, subtle finish, consider oiling or perhaps waxing the surface instead.
Metal
Another quintessentially industrial option, metal flooring(stainless steel or aluminium) comes in either tile or sheet form, both of which have a ridged, non-slip surface. Metal floors are expensive but incredibly hard-wearing and fairly easy to install for any skilled DIY enthusiast. Although a vacuum cleaner will get rid of dust and fluff, any grime that collects in the ridges can be shifted only by using elbow grease. Unless this is a prospect you particularly relish, avoid laying metal flooring over large areas.
