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Date stamp: 29-03-2016

Time stamp: 23-10-05
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-21/news/29171255_1_flooring-
tiles-ready-reckoner

If you're partial to the old-world charm and want wooden flooring, but can't afford
it, go for the laminated version. The latter is synthetic but looks like real wood.
It's cheaper and durable as it is more resistant to moisture.

The good part is that re-flooring doesn't take too much time. As most floors can be
easily laid on the existing one, a 12'x12' room would, on an average, take 1-2 days
to be renovated.

However, heavier material like marble and granite would take longer. If you prefer
to do it yourself, go for vinyl flooring. It's available in rolls and tiles and can
be applied with an industrial adhesive. Besides enhancing the appearance, flooring
also helps hike the resale value of your house. You can easily get back 60-70% more
on your investment.

Here's a ready reckoner to help you decide which floor suits your needs and
budgets.

Which Floor Suits You?

Tiles

Types : Ceramic, vitrified and glass mosaic.

Finish : Glossy

Durability : 10-15 years

Usage : Tiles are mostly used for exteriors such as lobby and verandah and can be
fitted with cement.

Installation time *: 2 days

Cost (per sq ft): Ceramic: Rs 15-40; vitrified: Rs 32-150; glass mosaic: Rs 275-
1,200

Labour cost : Rs 10-25 a sq ft

Installation cost for a 12'x12' room : Rs 5,120#

Keep in mind : The tiles need to be laid down smoothly. If uneven, air pockets
between the tiles will lead to cracks.

Wooden

Types : Laminated, grooves, rough, parquet and real wood.

Finish : Satin
Durability : 5-6 years

Usage : Wooden flooring is mostly used in bedrooms or stairs. It helps keep the
room cool in summers and warm during winters, and can be easily laid on the
existing floor by using foam.

Installation time *: 1 day

Cost (per sq ft): Laminated: Rs 40-60; grooves (4"x8"): Rs 175-200; rough (4"x8"):
Rs 200-350; parquet: Rs 50-60; real wood: Rs 300-1,200

Labour cost : Rs 10-15 a sq ft

Installation cost for a 12'x12' room : Rs 7,560#

Keep in mind : You can use a damp cloth or mop, but never drain it with water for
cleaning it.

PVC or Vinyl

Types : Rolls and tiles

Finish : Matt

Durability : 4-5 years

Usage : Vinyl flooring is not as hard as marble or tiles and is water-resistant.

So, it's suitable for children's room and the kitchen. It can be easily applied
with adhesive.

Installation time*: 1-2 days

Cost (per sq ft): Roll (6"x50"): Rs 22-25; tile (4"x8"): Rs 60-90

Labour cost : Rs 10-15 a sq ft

Installation cost for a 12'x12' room : Rs 4,968#

Keep in mind : The flooring can be easily dented or scratched if you use or drag
heavy material.

Marble

Types : Sandstone, composite, Kota stone and white marble.

Finish : Satin, though you can opt for a glossy one by polishing it or a matt
finish through a honed polish.

Durability : 25 years

Usage : Marble is fitted with cement and is suitable for both the exterior and
interior of a house.

Installation time *: 8-10 days

Cost (per sq ft): Sandstone (2"x2"): Rs 22-25; Kota stone (2"x2"): Rs 25-28;
composite: Rs 175-600; white marble (9"x9"): Rs 60-80, Italian marble (sft): Rs
300-1200

Labour cost : Rs 10-60 a sq ft

Installation cost for a 12'x12' room : Rs 7,488#

Keep in mind : It needs regular maintenance and can be easily damaged by acidic
chemicals or liquids. It's also slippery when wet.

Granite

Types : Crystal, honed, polished. It also comes in various colours.

Finish : Glossy

Durability : Lasts a lifetime with good care.

Usage : It's handy for the kitchen as it is resistant to oil spills, sugary drinks
and acid. Honed granite is good for the bathroom.

Installation time *: 3-4 days

Cost (per sq ft): Grey: Rs 70-120; pink or white: Rs 70-110; black: Rs 110-190;
earthen: Rs 175-300

Labour cost : Rs 10-50 a sq ft

Installation cost for a 12'x12' room : Rs 14,400#

Keep in mind : Though it doesn't crack or damage easily, it needs regular cleaning.
Polished granite is very slippery when wet.