Introduction of newer materials is providing architects, interior designers and property owners with a wealth of flooring options to choose from
Flooring deserves valuable attention and care just like any other decor element. With the emergence of newer technologies, floors can now be tough, safe and eye-catching — all in the same breath.
Choosing the right floor for any space is important as it takes part in tying the overall look and functionality together. Apart from aesthetic considerations, the amount of traffic, function of space, required finish and safety features must be considered.
Introduction of newer materials is providing architects, interior designers and owners with a wealth of flooring options. Most prefer minimalistic flooring options though there is a wide variety of materials, such as hardwood, natural stone, carpeting and polished concrete, to choose from. Hospitality venues usually go for broadloom, carpet tiles and large sized natural stone tiles. Since hotels continuously deal with heavy traffic, one of the most important factor while choosing this product is long term durability. Hence, hoteliers often prefer polished concrete, rubber, hardwood and carpet tile depending on its utility in different areas. Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and carpet tiles have emerged as top preferences in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, advancements in printing technology have improvised these products with organic and graphical visuals.
Naresh Maheshwari, CEO of Pergo India, said, “Given the rapid advancements in technology as well as the evolving market, the country’s flooring industry is slowly finding its feet. Laminate flooring, engineered wood flooring and vinyl flooring are rapidly gaining prominence in the market. While deciding whether to use them in a particular location, one has to consider its price, life cycle, maintenance requirements and durability. Rustic patterns and dark shades are popular options in the wooden flooring segment in India.”
Increasingly, developers and designers are keen to adopt eco-friendly products in India. Hotels demand flooring that are longer-lasting and easy to maintain. Marble makes for an ideal option as it is low on porosity, can be maintained easily with simple cleaning routines and can be re-polished to give a fresh look to the flooring. Kalingastone by Classic Marble Company, which is the latest offering by the brand, specifically designed for the hospitality industry. This material has been improvised over the years in terms of quality, consistency of supply, variety of finishes applied on it, uniqueness of colours and pattern to provide hotels with the right choice of flooring.
The rise of value-orientated hotel chains has seen the increased use of easy to maintain, yet chic flooring options, like carpet tiles or resilient hard flooring having interesting prints, colours and designs. These offer customers a luxuriously plush feel along with the ability to apply prints. It is also much better from a maintenance point of view and last much longer. Public areas including reception, lobbies and restaurants are best-served by such resilient flooring materials as vinyl. In contrast, budget-conscious hotels are moving toward carpet tile as material for rooms, hallways and lifts.
Abhishek Somany, joint MD, Somany Ceramics Ltd, pointed out, “We see a major shift in the ceramic tiles industry today with the introduction of vitrified and porcelain tiles. These tiles are easy to install and maintain as well. Apart from being durable and longer lasting, the non-stain quality makes them ideal for all kinds of flooring. Vitrified tiles have very low porosity, which makes them stain resistant and gives them immense strength. They are usually not as brittle as plain ceramic tiles and can withstand heat better. These new entrants are the tiles of the future and internationally they are already major sellers across the hotel industry.”
The brand recently launched Duragres Planks, a decorative range of faux wood tiles that are remarkably durable and designed to cater to a wide range of tastes. They are a perfect option for hoteliers and architects who are looking for durable, environment friendly designs. The biggest advantage of these faux wood tiles over real wood planks is the ease of installation along with durability and resistance against natural wear and tear.
Hotels seek to differentiate themselves from their competitors by making by attending to these small details. Flooring can make a contribution to the guest’s experience and is a vital part of the battle for competitive advantage.
