A building that withstands time is a well-thought and constructed one. Storms and earthquakes are very common these days than before that’s why our house, buildings, and other construction projects should be well thought off and built just like these four inspiring old buildings in Manila. They not just stand time, nor storms, not earthquakes. Some of them stayed erected even after a war. Construction company plays a vital role in building your house or building. That’s why you should hire only the best in the field just like the contractors of these historic buildings.

San Agustin Church

The San Agustin Church is located in the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. It is already over 400 years old. It was constructed between 1587 and 1606. It is the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Such a strong construction project.

Manila Central Post Office

Manila City Hall

One major consideration of both architects and engineers when building homes are what materials to use for different parts of the project. These materials matter on several levels like what material should the exterior of the building be if it’s going to be in the city where the temperature is hotter than it is in rural areas. For tropical homes, however, there are fewer design variables and the major consideration is ambient temperature as well as humidity above all else.

In today’s article, we try to explore 3 wood materials that are great floor tiles for tropical homes especially if you are constructing on a tight budget.

Basic Hardwood

Image source: http://bit.ly/2xusU3J

In tropical countries like the ones in most of South East Asia, there are numerous hardwoods that are well adapted to a specific climate. In the Philippines, for example, Narra is both popular for furniture as well as flooring because it expands and shrinks (depending on humidity) very minimally making it suitable for tropical homes.

Reclaimed Hardwood

If you’re on a really tight budget, then this might work for you. Reclaimed hardwood comes from structures that are already for demolition so not only can you avail of them cheap (or buy them from owners of the to-be-demolished building yourself), you can even salvage your own. The only thing is that you must also know a thing or two about repurposing wood or have them re-milled so that they fit in properly for your home.

Wide-plank Hardwood

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Wide-plank hardwood might be a little bit of the more expensive tropical home choice but it’s definitely the best on this list. Not only is it stylish and easy to manage (clean, maintain, polish, etc.), it is also very breathable and it feels good barefoot on hot days and cold nights. It’s as versatile as it is comfortable.

Aside from hardwood floor tiles, however, there are a number of other different types of floor tiles that are climate appropriate (especially for tropical homes that do not have air-conditioning or humidity controls). We will touch on them on our next articles.

You should not ask, “Where to buy floor tiles?” rather it should be, “How to choose the right floor tiles?”

Why?

It is not that hard to find floor tile shops here in the Philippines. Some are even giving away discounts for those who buy in bulk. However, don’t be blindsided by ads like “50% off” or “less 30%.” More than ever, you should be wary if you’re getting value for your money.

So the question again, “how to choose the right floor tiles?” Here are the factors you should look for once you decided where to buy floor tiles:

Types of floor tiles

The Balance lists six different types of home flooring:

Ceramic tile

Pros: waterproof, can be used indoor or outdoor, and even on countertops
Cons: prone to scratches and grout

Hardwood flooring

Pros: durable, an insulator, easy to maintain
Cons: non-waterproof, prone to noise, expensive

Laminate flooring

Pros: can withstand high traffic areas
Cons: non-scratch resistant, cannot be refinished

Marble flooring

Pros: an insulator, can enhance the look of a floor space
Cons: expensive, needs high maintenance

Cork flooring

Pros: cheap, easy to install
Cons: not good in the kitchen, prone to damage

Bamboo flooring

Pros: durable, easy to clean
Cons: non-resistant to water, vulnerable to scratches

Location

After buying the floor tile of your choice, where would you install it? This is important because as you’ve noticed above there are certain type of floor tiles that are not water resistant such as wood and bamboo flooring. It would be safe if you categorized it into two: the area of the house susceptible to water and those which are not.

Another thing you should consider is the foot traffic in each room. Foot traffic is one of the reasons floor tiles suffer from wear and tear.

Color & Style

You should possess an “eye” for this because no matter how classy or unique a floor tile is, if it is not a good match, well, it isn’t. Is the color and style you chose compliments the entire room or it becomes an eyesore? Moreover, as explained by BuildDirect, “color influences the overall attitude of your room.”

Size & Pattern

According to Tileflair, “there are certain floor tiles that have a variety of sizes and will have a modular pattern to follow for each square meter.” It boils down on the layout of the room. Is the layout of the room plain square or rectangle? Or does it have uneven corners or angles? This is also where you consider going DIY or hiring a professional to install it.

You can determine how many boxes of floor tiles you’re going to buy as well. But can you estimate it on your own?

Budget

Of course, this must be always on top of your mind when shopping for floor tiles. It is way more important than answering the question of where to buy floor tiles? Very importantly, ask how much is it?

It is true that it increases the resale value of your house, stated by Forbes. However, you should not go beyond your budget even with the seduction of posh-looking porcelain flooring. Stick. To.Your.Budget.