7 Stylish Floor Finishes That Are Not Made Of Wood

When building your new home, one of the major decisions you will make is picking the right material or finish for your floors. After all, the flooring will cover half the entire area of your home!

IMAGE Miguel Nacianceno

We know that the ultimate floor finish everyone dreams of is wood. But with the current logging restrictions and the prohibitive price of the material, it is best to go for more sustainable—but just as beautiful—alternative floor finishes:

Ceramic tiles

IMAGE Ocs Alvarez

Ceramic tiles are a versatile and durable material for high-traffic areas, and come in thousands of textures, colors, and patterns. Other pluses: the tiles are waterproof, and clean up easily. Choose unglazed so it won’t be slippery underfoot.

IMAGE Mariwasa Digital Print Tiles, Wilcon Depot

Best for: Entrances, corridors, living, kitchen, bathroom

Porcelain tiles

IMAGE Fanal Velvet Porcelain Tiles, La Europa Ceramica

Ever wondered what the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles is? Porcelain is fired at a much higher temperature than ceramic, resulting in a harder and more durable material. Porcelain tiles are often carried by luxury brands, and are available in elegant colors and patterns.

Best for: Entrances, general living areas, kitchen, bathroom

Vinyl tiles

IMAGE Kent Vinyl Wood Planks

This is possibly the most affordable floor finish for the home, and a lot of variants can mimic the look of real wood. In terms of durability—depending on the moisture it is exposed to—vinyl can last for years.

Best for: Living areas, kitchen, bedroom

Concrete flooring

IMAGE Paolo Feliciano

With the current trend for industrial-modern interiors, bare concrete floors are a popular and very cost-effective finishing choice, and it is very durable and can withstand high foot traffic. However, hairline cracks may appear over time.

Best for: General living areas; might need an area rug for bedrooms

Carpeting and carpet tiles

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela, carpet from Tai Ping

If you’re going for sound absorption, carpet or carpet tiles are your best bet. It’s also great for bedrooms and children’s rooms, if safety and comfort are your priorities.

Best for: Audio-visual rooms, bedrooms, and playrooms

Bamboo flooring

IMAGE Modern Bamboo Facebook page

If you’re dreaming of the feel and warmth of actual wood, then bamboo flooring should be your choice. This finish is made out of compressed bamboo, with all the beautiful grains and knots made visible. The best part is that it’s sustainable!

Best for: Living and sleeping areas

Patterned encaustic tiles

IMAGE Ocs Alvarez

These traditional cement tiles imprinted with intricate or geometric patterns in rich colors are rustic, beautiful, and classic-Filipino all at the same time. Machuca is the one famous brand name for these encaustic tiles. The tiles are a bit of an investment, but these will last you a lifetime.

IMAGE Machuca Tile Facebook page

Best for: Entrance, general living and dining areas, kitchen, bathroom