Outdoor flooring design trends

Flooring is one of the key elements which needs to be considered while coming up with aesthetics for your dream project. It not only covers the maximum area, but when done right, is capable of bringing alive the design sensibilities of your theme.

A wave of new materials are providing architects and builders with a wealth of flooring options, such as tiles, vinyl, hardwood, natural stone, carpeting and polished concrete, to choose from.

However these options get limited for outdoor flooring as it has to withstand a range of weather extremities in India, such as intense summer temperatures, heavy rainfall or biting winters to sustain, apart from the heavy footfall and load.

Outdoor flooring options are mostly used in areas like garden passages, parking lots, swimming pools, decks, patios, terraces and rooftops.

To aid you in creating the most awe inspiring outdoor area, we have listed down the top trends that you must keep in mind for your décor inspiration:

The Classic
Natural materials like stones and slate have always been popular for the outdoor areas. These classic options lend a rustic and unique look. While they may seem expensive, they do not require much follow-up or maintenance as these materials are meant to survive out in the nature.

Natural stone flooring is preferred in areas like garden passages and driveways because of their ability to withstand heavy footfall, weights, and machines without cracking. Slate on the other hand contributes towards a sleek and a clean look while being naturally stain and slip resistant which is a must for outdoors.

Somany Ceramics has recently added to their portfolio the aspirational range of Duragres Tesoro tiles. Staying true to its name, Tesoro is a ‘treasure’ trove which draws inspiration from the natural materials like stone, granite, wood and metal.

The Fusion
A trend that has caught the eye of many is creating a rug area with flooring options like tiles, stones or wood. This trend works with the existing flooring and just changes the central area of the patios and terraces. You can mix and work with two flooring options like wooden planks for your central area and stones for the remaining surface.

The All Time Favorite
Wooden flooring has always been one of the first materials that comes to anyone’s mind while considering outdoor options. This is because wooden flooring is able to mask the look and feel of nature and this in return creates a soothing ambience.

Wooden flooring is mostly seen around swimming pools, decks and patios. In the recent past, faux wood tiles have taken up a major share of natural wood market because of its ease of installation along with durability, resistance against natural wear and tear, resistance to termites and vulnerability against chemicals.

These faux wood tiles are more durable than regular wooden flooring and are ideal for the environment friendly consumer. Keeping the current trend in mind, Somany Ceramics has introduced Wood Essentia, a range of faux wood planks that are exceptionally durable and designed to cater to a wide range of tastes.

By:-By Abhishek Somany
MD, Somany Ceramics