Kenyan Constructor Shares 4 Types, Images Of Beautiful Floor Options That Are Not Tiles

• Kenyan constructors are leading a flooring revolution, offering aesthetically pleasing options that blend beauty with functionality
• Traditional flooring options in Kenya include cement, wooden parquet, Dunlop PVC, and ceramic tiles, each with its advantages and drawbacks
• Alternative flooring options have gained popularity in recent years, such as beauflor, flotex and marmoleum floors

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of financial, business, and technology research expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

Kenyan constructors have spearheaded a revolution in floor coverings, offering an array of stunning options that marry aesthetics with practicality.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke Amos Kibaru, a manufacturer and consultant in the construction industry, noted that flooring is more than just a foundation; it's a canvas for creativity and functionality.

Types of floors used in Kenyan houses

Kibaru explained that traditionally, the 70s, 80s, and late 90s saw the dominance of cement floors, wooden parquet, and Dunlop PVC floors in Kenyan homes.

However, in the late 90s and into the 21st century, ceramic tiles from India emerged as a viable alternative, swiftly becoming a popular choice for many.

Pros and cons of tile floors

Tiles came with their own set of pros and cons because while they boasted easy installation and durability, they presented challenges such as slipperiness, labour-intensive installation processes, and cold surfaces, particularly in certain regions like Limuru and Mount Kenya.

Moreover, transportation issues, including breakages, added to the tile dilemma.

In the last two decades, various companies in the construction and design industry have introduced alternative flooring options and materials to improve on ceramic tile floors.

1. Pergo laminates

One standout addition to the flooring option in Kenya is the Pergo original laminate, a Belgian-made marvel that replaced traditional wooden parquet floors.

Pergo was the original inventor of laminate flooring (1977), and this type of floor comes in various designs, offering vivid, swirling wood grains that look like solid hardwood, tile or stone.

"We replaced the wooden parquet floor with Pergo's original laminate floors. The advantages of these floors is that they require no polishing and maintenance. They are also easy to install click and lock without using any adhesive" Kibaru explained.

2. Beauflor

Another game-changer was Beauflor, manufactured in Belgium and also sold under a private trademark as Mkeka wa Mbao in Kenya.

Beauflor vinyl cushion floor is a PVC flooring solution that gained immense popularity for its aesthetics and make, which offers waterproof properties, easy installation without adhesives, and remarkable durability.

Interested individuals can choose the colour and design they want.

3. Marmoleum linoleum

Marmoleum is a brand of linoleum flooring manufactured by Forbo, a global leader in floor covering production a.

It emerged as the go-to choice for commercial spaces, including airports.

Its antibacterial properties and natural materials make it ideal for hospitals and airports.

4. Flotex

However, perhaps the most revolutionary offering was Flotex, a textile floor covering that combines the resilience of traditional flooring with the warmth and comfort of carpet.

"Flotex is a unique textile floor covering that combines the hard wearing and durable characteristics of a resilient floor with the quality, warmth and comfort of a carpet. Flotex is a strong and hygienic floor, and being completely 100% waterproof, it is also the only truly washable textile floor. Flotex is the real replacement for fabric and carpet tiles that harbour dust and become dumped when wet," Kibaru explained.

Cost of building 3-bedroom house using precast

In other related news, Amos Kibaru, a Kenyan in the building and construction industry, shared a detailed cost breakdown of a 3-bedroom bungalow constructed using precast materials.

The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of precast concrete panels in housing construction in Kenya have garnered significant attention on social media.

Kibaru revealed that the total cost of the precast bungalow shell, including labour, amounted to KSh 1.5 million, with an additional KSh 1 million estimated for finishing.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.