Best Flooring Options for Apartments in Dubai
Whether you are renovating your new apartment or remodelling an existing home, flooring is one of the biggest components to come to mind. Along with your personal style, you’ll want to think about how easy the flooring is to clean, how much upkeep it needs, and what it will cost. This guide aims to give you a breakdown of the best flooring options for apartments in Dubai, their practicality and their suitability for your apartment.
Before diving into the best floors for apartments, you’ll also need to decide your starting point:
- Are you ripping out old tiles?
- Are you laying new floors over existing ones?
- Are you starting from scratch on a bare cement base?
- What sort of renovations are permitted in your building?
- Are there structural limitations?
- What can be removed? What cannot be removed?
Your approach will determine which flooring options work best – each method has its pros and cons:
- Hacking existing floors: More work, but gives a completely fresh start
- Overlaying: Quicker and potentially cheaper
- Blank cement base: Most flexible for installation options
Best Flooring Options for Apartments in Dubai
There are plenty of floor types out there, and it is difficult to go through all of them. To ease your decision-making process, here are the pros and cons of best flooring options for apartments in Dubai.
1. Ceramic Tiles
Ideal for patios, kitchens, and bathrooms, ceramic tiles can withstand the heat without fading or cracking.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Affordable – Waterproof – Durable – Easy to clean – Good for high moisture levels – Cooling tile option for Dubai’s hot weather | – Feel cold and hard underfoot – Grout lines may require maintenance – May chip / crack – Requires waterproofing before installation |
2. Porcelain Tiles
Ideal for outdoor areas like pool decks or courtyards, as well as high-traffic indoor spaces like kitchen, bathrooms, and living rooms.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Waterproof – More moisture resistant than ceramic tiles – More sturdier and denser than ceramic tiles – Easy to clean – Good for high moisture levels – Cooling tile option for Dubai’s hot weather | – Usually more expensive than ceramic tiles – Feel cold and hard underfoot – Grout lines may require maintenance – May chip or crack |
3. Stone Flooring (Granite, Marble, Slate)
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, slate works well in entryways and outdoor dining areas.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Durable, natural – Gives a luxurious finish – Unique patterns & texture – Can add value to home – Cooling tile option for Dubai’s hot weather | – Expensive – Feel cold and hard underfoot – Requires sealing to resist stains – Requires periodic sealing & maintenance – Needs more care and maintenance than porcelain tiles |
4. Microcement / Concrete
Microcement ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, and living rooms. Concrete ideal for garages, basements, outdoor patios.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Durable, easy to maintain – Contemporary ‘raw’ look – Gives a luxurious finish – Can cover existing surface No gout lines | – Expensive – Feel cold and hard underfoot – Can crack if wrongly applied – Can stain as it’s porous – Requires sealing to resist stains – Requires periodic sealing & maintenance |
5. Laminate Flooring
Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and entryways, home offices.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Durable – Affordable – Easy to clean – Scratches & dents resistance – Easy to remove and replace without damaging the existing flooring – Can be replaced slat by slat if the surface becomes damaged | – Not 100% waterproof – Tend to have a plastic feel & sound underfoot – Repetition of patterns may look ‘fake’ – Not good for bathrooms or space with extreme moisture – Use of formaldehyde |
6. Vinyl Flooring (Luxury Vinyl Tile)
Ideal for kitchens, bedrooms, laundry rooms, living rooms, and basements.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Durable – Water resistance – Easy to clean – Quick & clean installation – Installed on top of existing flooring – Can be replaced slat by slat if the surface becomes damaged – Longer lifespan than laminate | – Can tear and dent – Cannot be repaired, only replaced – More expensive than laminate |
7. SPC Flooring (Stone Plastic Composite)
Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and basements.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – More rigid and thicker than LVT – Tends to be cheaper than LVT – Quick & clean installation – Installed on top of existing flooring – Easy to clean – Water resistance – Simple to remove and replace without damaging the existing flooring | – Can tear and dent – Cannot be repaired, only replaced |
8. Hardwood Flooring
Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and entryways.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Real solid wood – Timeless, warm natural feel – Can add value to home – Can last for decades | – Expensive – Can be noisy – Prone to warping with moisture and heat – Expansion and contraction with temperate & humidity – Prone to scratches, dents, and chips – Not good for high moisture areas like bathroom & wet areas – Requires regular sanding |
9. Engineered Wood Flooring
Ideal for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and basements.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Timeless, warm natural feel – Less expensive than hardwood flooring – Water resistant – Does better in moisture-prone environments than solid wood – More resilient to heat and humidity due to its structural stability | – Does not last as long as solid wood due to its thinner veneer layer – Not waterproof – Susceptible to scratches – More expensive than laminate or vinyl flooring |
10. Epoxy Flooring
Ideal for garages and basements.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Good for hard-wearing protection – Water resistant – Moisture and chemical resistance – More resilient to heat and humidity making it suitable for potentially damp areas – Cost effective: lower cost per square foot compare to other flooring | – Feel cold and hard underfoot – Slippery when wet Difficult to repair – Strong chemical smell during installation |
Best Flooring Options for Apartments – Tips to Create a Bigger and More Spacious Feel
When it comes to selecting the best floors for apartments or small spaces, there are some recommended options that can help the area feel bigger and more spacious while enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Here are some choices to think about:
1. Pick Light Color Flooring
- Light shades like whites, creams, and pastels can make a room appear larger and more open. They reflect light, creating a bright and airy feel.
- Options: Consider neutral or light color laminate, vinyl, or tiles.
2. Use Larger Tiles
- Choosing large tiles (12 inches or more) reduces the number of grout lines, resulting in a seamless look that can enhance the sense of space.
- Options: Ceramic, porcelain, or luxury vinyl tiles work well in this format.
3. Use Wider Planks
- Wider planks (at least 3 inches) can help minimize the cramped feeling often found in small rooms. They draw the eye across the floor instead of down, enhancing the perception of space.
- Options: Hardwood or laminate in wider formats are ideal.
4. Use One Consistent Flooring
- Installing flooring at a diagonal angle can create a dynamic look that draws attention and gives the illusion of a larger area.
- Options: Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a great choice for its durability and water resistance.
5. Diagonal Placement
- Installing flooring at a diagonal angle can create a dynamic appearance that draws the eye and gives the illusion of a larger area.
- Options: This technique works well with both planks and tiles.
Conclusion
Flooring has been a hot topic amongst property buyers in Dubai, and vinyl flooring has gained popularity in recent years. Choosing the best flooring options for apartments requires taking into account the unique needs of each room or each space.
When choosing best floorings for apartments in Dubai, in particular small apartments, focus on light colors, larger size tiles or planks, and consistent materials to create an open and inviting atmosphere. These choices not only enhance your living space but also appeal to potential buyers by enhancing the perception of space and style.
