Tiles, carpets, lamination or vinyl? As always, the budget will dictate the choice but it is worth knowing the pros and cons of each. Dream on, plan well and think ahead to the re-sale value of your property.

Most property buyers prefer hard flooring over carpet due to hygienic reasons. Even new carpets will be viewed with scepticism, as buyers fear trapped allergens, pet fur and odours.

Tiles, on the other hand, are extremely durable and can last for decades, giving buyers confidence that they will not need to replace the floor anytime soon. Hard floors are also much easier to clean and maintain, especially in high-traffic or wet areas.

Carpets need a strict cleaning regime with frequent vacuuming and professional cleaning every now and then. Stains on carpets are a huge turn-off. Yet, if carpets are your idea of the best life because of their warmth, softness and sound absorption, budget to pay anything between N$320 and N$1 500 per m2, labour included. Just remember that you would need to replace them every 5 to 15 years.

In Namibia’s hot climate, tiles are ideal because they are cool to the touch. What is better than resting hot feet on a cold floor? At the coast with its milder temperature one could always add beautiful modern rugs or old Persian ones for the feeling of warmth.

Whatever your choice, make use of discounts where possible. Tiles can cost from N$230 to N$2 000 per square meter, installation costs included. Naturally that would depend on whether you choose budget, mid-priced or premium tiles. Remember to buy extra tiles to allow for breakages and to store some for future replacement.

Other so-called hard flooring are the laminates and the vinyls. Laminates refer to synthetic multi-layer flooring products fused together with a lamination process, often mimicking an authentic wood-look. They are also the easiest DIY-option. Expect to pay between N$320 and N$800 per m2, installation included.

Vinyls, being fully synthetic products made from PVC layers, are popular for being 100% waterproof and extremely durable. They come in tiles or planks. Their costs range from N$400 to N$1 050 per m2, installation included.

Shop around and discuss your needs and preferences with the qualified staff. Be sure to take along your calculations. To calculate the area, measure the room and multiply width by length. If there is a bay window, calculate separately and add. If there is a hearth, calculate separately and subtract. Packs of flooring options state the area each can cover. Divide the area of the room by the area one pack will cover. The answer is the number of packs you need to buy.

Page through HouseFinder to find professional tile and carpet suppliers. Happy shopping!