Low Cost Alternatives To Wood Flooring

Hardwood flooring, usually referred to as wood flooring in Pakistan, may look extremely elegant and sophisticated, but it’s not always a practical option. Over the past few years, cheaper alternatives to wood flooring have gained popularity among homeowners and contractors because of three main reasons: 

1.    They are easier to maintain

2.    They are easier to clean, and

3.    These materials cost much less than hardwood flooring

While hardwood floors are sturdy and add a touch of luxury to your home décor, it is also pretty susceptible to general wear and tear. If you have young children or pets, you may as well cover your floors with a thick carpet because hardwood floors are also prone to surface scratches, which can look really ugly if not polished or waxed after every few months. However, the biggest reason why more and more people are moving towards alternative flooring materials is that hardwood can be extremely expensive. So, if you are working on a tight budget, wood flooring may not be an option for you to begin with.

Since choosing flooring material is not an easy task, we’ve put together a list of budget-friendly alternatives to wood flooring that look just like the real thing and, more importantly, won’t put a dent in your bank account.  

LOW-COST ALTERNATIVES TO WOOD FLOORING IN PAKISTAN

Here are some alternatives to wood flooring that look just like the real thing but cost a lot less.

·         Laminate flooring

·         PVC flooring

·         Wood tile flooring

Let’s check out the features of these popular yet considerably cheap flooring alternatives available in Pakistan.

LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring looks and feels just like the real thing

Laminate is one of the most commonly used alternatives to wood flooring in Pakistan, using in residential and commercial buildings alike. 

Structurally, it’s a synthetic product made from different layers of chipboard, also known as particleboard, glued together with melamine resin and then compressed together to form a thin sheet. Each sheet is then sealed with an imprinted photographic layer to imitate real wood. Apart from looking like hardwood, the surface texture of laminate boards even feels like the real thing. The installation process for both types of flooring's is also pretty similar.

If you are looking for inexpensive flooring ideas that don’t bring down the value of your property, then you should consider opting for laminate flooring. Despite being thinner than wood, it is pretty durable and easy to clean, making it a perfect option for a household with kids. However, unlike wood, you cannot sand down laminate flooring if it is damaged. 

Rates of Laminate Flooring in Pakistan

Laminate flooring comes in many varieties. High-quality laminate boards are usually more expensive, especially because they can be easily mistaken for wood. Meanwhile, the less expensive options are not as durable or aesthetically pleasing.

However, the price of laminate boards in Pakistan usually ranges from PKR 175 to PKR 350 per square foot. Please note it can go even higher depending on the quality you’ve chosen.

PVC FLOORING

PVC is one of the most affordable alternatives for hardwood flooring in Pakistan

Polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as PVC or vinyl, is considered a modern flooring material for homes. It is made from plasticized PVC and has a faux wood grain appearance. If you are looking for something that resembles wood while being durable and cheap at the same time, then PVC flooring is probably your best bet. 

Vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring options available in Pakistan and is widely used in offices, homes, schools and even hospitals. It usually comes in a variety of colors with different patterns and textures, imitating the appearance of hardwood. It is also resilient to water damage, which makes it a perfect fit for bathrooms and kitchens if marble flooring is out of your budget. They are also easier to maintain and last for a long time.

Installing PVC flooring is also pretty simple, and if done correctly, you can easily pass vinyl flooring planks and laminate wood boards, which are slightly more expensive. However, if damaged, vinyl flooring cannot be repaired and will instead have to be replaced.

Rates of PVC or Vinyl Flooring in Pakistan

Compared to other flooring material, PVC flooring is pretty budget-friendly. The rates of PVC flooring in Pakistan varies between PKR 60 and PKR 95 per square foot on average. 

WOOD TILE FLOORING

While opting for tile wood flooring, make sure the grout lines between the tiles are really thin

If you want to opt for a classy look without using hardwood or one of the options mentioned above, then you may want to look into wood tile flooring, which has become a popular trend in recent years. As the name suggests, these tiles are made to look like wood, even though they are made of ceramic or porcelain. 

At first glance, you might mistake wood tile flooring for laminate or actual hardwood flooring as long as they have been installed properly and the grout lines are very fine. It is one of the most inexpensive wood flooring alternatives in Pakistan. Tiles are also durable, not likely to warp and environmentally sustainable. Wood tile flooring is ideal for kitchens, hallways and living rooms, as they are easy to clean. If you plan on opting for this material, here are a few tips on how to clean tile flooring that must take a look at.

One small disadvantage of using wood tiles is that they can easily crack or get chipped. However, if something like that happens, you can simply replace the damaged tile and your flooring will look as good as new. 

Rate of Wood Tile Flooring in Pakistan

Ceramic flooring tiles of Chinese and Irani variety are the most inexpensive ones. Their starting prices vary from PKR 800 to PKR 1,000 per meter. Meanwhile, the price of porcelain tiles starts at around PKR 1,200 per meter.

You can also take a look at different types of flooring tiles and their rates in Pakistan to learn more about the topic.

In case you are still having a hard time deciding which of these options might work for you, don’t forget to check out the pros and cons of popular flooring materials in Pakistan. However, if your heart is set on lavish hardwood floors, our guide on wooden flooring options in Pakistan and rates will definitely help you out.